Penrith officials fear plans to double the NRL’s minimum wage to $150,000 will end their hopes of retaining the last of their premiership-winning roster, including in-demand strike centre Stephen Crichton.
After signing Brian To’o to a fresh four-year deal on Friday, the Panthers will now turn their sights to Crichton, who comes off contract at the end of 2023.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have told the Herald the premiers and Crichton’s camp have not formally progressed contract talks since the eve of Origin I, but will meet in the next fortnight now To’o and Liam Martin – who extended his deal until the end of 2024 – have been locked in.
Crichton had a bumper World Cup for Samoa, is keen to play fullback and could attract nearly $1 million a year at a rival club.
Canterbury and new coach Cameron Ciraldo, who has a strong relationship with Crichton, have long been touted as the favourites for his signature.
One player who could ruin Crichton’s fullback and seven-figure salary dreams, however, is Samoan Cup teammate Joseph Suaalii, who is also determined to be a starting No.1 – something which will not happen while he remains at the Sydney Roosters behind one of the game’s best players, James Tedesco.
Plans to double the minimum wage will make it tough for Penrith to retain Stephen Crichton.Credit:Getty
Like most clubs, Penrith have been working to a salary cap of $9.3 million for 2023 as the NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association continue to thrash out a new collective bargaining agreement. Clubs expect the cap to rise by about $1.2 million to $10.5 million next year.
But fans would be foolish to think any cap increase will automatically mean Penrith can increase an offer to Crichton.
In fact, the first players who will be accommodated will be those on the minimum wage.
The current base salary for players is $80,000, which could rise to $150,000 as part of the demands rolled out by the RLPA.
Stephen Crichton with childhood mates Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Spencer Leniu.Credit:Getty Images
Penrith is one club that has relied on minimum-wage players more than most as a way to help balance out a roster with no shortage of big-name stars who have helped deliver the western Sydney club the past two NRL titles.
They already have several players on minimum wage, and will rely on a further two to be added by the start of next season.
The Panthers are also aware they have Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and fullback Dylan Edwards all off contract at the end of 2024, and who will be itching to commence talks about their futures.
The easy option would be to move on Edwards and keep Crichton, but Edwards earns less money and was this year’s Clive Churchill Medal winner.
It is expected Crichton, just 22, will push for a minimum three-year deal worth well north of $800,000, given his success on the representative arena.
Scott Sorensen comes off contract at the end of 2023, as does Spencer Leniu who will find it difficult to leapfrog James Fisher-Harris or Moses Leota for a starting front-row spot.
Several youngsters have trained with Penrith’s full-time squad this off-season as the club looks to its apparently never-ending production line to deliver more talent for the top grade, including Jack Cole who made his debut in the final round of the regular season.
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