PNG’s Young pursuit on hold after salary-cap drama
Scott Bailey |
PNG will hold off pursuing Hudson Young after they were told their proposed offer for the Canberra star would not meet market value.
Just two days after Young confirmed he was attracted to the prospect of joining the Chiefs’ star-studded roster, the potential move has hit a serious sticking point.
It is understood the Chiefs were looking to offer Young about $900,000 a season, if the NSW State of Origin star joined the NRL’s 19th franchise for 2028.
That figure is close to $200,000 shy of the monster three-year deal worth $1.1 million a season believed to have been pitched by the Raiders to keep the back-rower.
Young had planned to tour PNG in coming weeks once off crutches following his Achilles rupture, while seriously contemplating becoming the Chiefs’ eighth signing.
But ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys told club bosses on Wednesday that PNG would definitely need to meet market value on player signings.
The NRL has several tools to measure market value, including benchmarking of the highest-paid players in each position and salaries of similar players.
The value of other offers could also be taken into account, while the NRL traditionally will allow players to be paid less than that if there are valid reasons.
Ultimately, it means the Chiefs will have to go very close to matching Canberra’s mega offer.
Until Wednesday, the Chiefs had believed an offer of $900,000 would have met market value for Young.
AAP understands they were willing to up their offer to $950,000 a year, but that is also not expected to be enough.
With that in mind, Chiefs officials have decided to wait until at least November 1 to make a call on Young, when he becomes a free agent.
PNG bosses are also mindful that they have signed seven players, and need to be careful in their evaluation of potential recruits with 18 months until they actually play.
Clubs have grown concerned in recent months about the Chiefs’ signing spree, given the tax-free incentives on offer for players who join the club.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary claimed last month it was near impossible to compete with the Chiefs on the open market, if a player decided they were happy to move there.
What the NRL’s move means for the rest of PNG’s signings remains to be seen, and if clubs desperate for a big name are able to drastically impact the market.
Penrith star Nathan Cleary is among a host of big names off contract next year and able to talk with rivals from November 1, and he could attract deals as high as $2 million.
Speaking this week, Young had suggested he would only leave Canberra for the Chiefs in 2028.
“I have no interest in playing for another NRL club,” Young said.
“Sticky (coach Ricky Stuart) and I have spoken about that. It’s more the opportunity of the PNG thing.
“My mindset is pretty open. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I just want to make sure I am comfortable with the decision I make.”
AAP