‘What is going on?’: Greats in disbelief over rookie’s $900k request
Queensland great Billy Slater fears a “dangerous” precedent is being set by player managers looking for lucrative deals for young talents with little NRL experience.
Slater was left puzzled after learning Titans playmaker Zane Harrison was asking for a deal worth $900,000-per-year to stay put at the club.
The Titans won four of the 11 games Zane Harrison played in. NRL Imagery
The 20-year-old is set to come off contract with the Titans at the end of 2027, with News Corp reporting a $700,000 per season extension deal has been offered.
But in the same report it was revealed that Harrison’s manager was asking for $900,000 per season for his services, despite only making his debut in round 10.
Andrew Johns declared the $900,000 figure was “truly elite halfback money” and not an accurate salary for a young player who has made 11 appearances.
But with star halves rarely appearing on the open market, the eighth Immortal could understand why Harrison may receive a larger salary than he currently deserves.
“I suppose these days with not many halves around you do have to pay on potential, but $900,00?” he said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“At this stage of his career you’d say he is a $400,000 or $500,000 player. But with not many world-class halves around you’ll probably have to pay $600,000 for him.”
Slater shared a similar view to Johns, although warned clubs of the risks that come with “paying for a future when you are not guaranteed” one with that player.
He then questioned why Harrison should receive a sum so large if a veteran playmaker like South Sydney’s Cody Walker is only being offered $300,000.
“I think this is incredible. We have been talking about Cody Walker being offered $300,000 and Zane Harrison wants $900,000?” Slater said.
“What is going on? What happened to actually earning your wage?
“I think this is actually a dangerous practice for managers to push the pressure on young players and demand the big money. It might be coming from the players ... but you are much better suited earning your wage and settling in [to first-grade].
“There is no incentive for clubs [to do this]. This young man has been at the Titans for a long period of time, through the junior development. He’s played 11 games and now is potentially going elsewhere for bigger money? That is something the game needs to look at – incentives for clubs to develop players.”
Brad Fittler recognised that the league is unaware yet what a good wage within the Titans salary cap is for Harrison, given the club’s limits could increase, and he could rapidly develop and be seen as deserving of an $800,000 salary.
Slater, however, made clear that most of the league’s top-end players would have clauses that if the salary cap for their team goes up, so does their wage.
Harrison is likely to test the market when it opens on November 1.
