Earlier in the week I suggested that talks of Clint Gutherson requesting a million dollars a season were a fair way off the mark.
Some asked how much I believed he was worth. My official answer remains "not a million".
This did however get me thinking. Currently we have eight players on, or about, the seven-figure mark. Truthfully, we'll never know exactly what a player is earning.
I'd argue that probably four of those eight are actually worth that distinction. James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster.
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It also got me thinking as to who was worth, or would soon be worth, that magical million mark?
Here are the top five players I believe are in for million dollars a season or more in their next contract.
You never really know what will happen. Injuries, form and rule changes all come into it, but if these players were off contract now, they're likely to be signing for a million a year.
Let us know in the comments whether these players are worth the money. Did we forget anyone?
1. Matt Burton
Two of these players here are no-brainers, one is a very safe bet and one is a risk but here is the punt. Penrith turn Bulldog superstar in the making Matt Burton.
Burton is an Origin player in waiting. I would have picked Hynes or Burton over Api for Game 3 to play a number of positions.
He's become an elite level centre in a season. He was asked to play out wide during the last year of his Penrith contract and has far exceeded any expectations.
He made his name in the halves and has been the dominant half since returning to the role in the absence of Nathan Cleary.
The Dogs signed him on an absolute bargain $500,000 or so a season. At the end of his Dogs contract, he will be worth double that.
Burton is a freakish talent. Plays well beyond his experience and age. Has Origin in his future.
He has a two year + third-year player option at the Dogs. Come time to renegotiate in the third year, the Dogs are likely going to have to pay up big time.
Calling it now, Burton is the signing of the 2022 season. Also calling it now, Burton has the talents to become a seven-figure a year player in two to three years.
