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Broncos founding father Barry Maranta famously offered Brisbane\u2019s inaugural first-grade side an unprecedented $1500 per-man, per-game win bonus in 1988.<\/p>\n
It was more than double any other going in the old NSWRL competition, but came with a miniscule $50 pay packet if his team lost.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will pay for petrol to get you to training and give you a strong incentive to win next week,\u201d Maranta said 35 years ago.<\/p>\n
The rock-star reception at Red Hill and clamour for Kevin Walters\u2019 side earlier this week in Brisbane was said to be unlike any seen in the club\u2019s success-laden history.<\/p>\n
And why not? While Penrith make their own bid for a rare slice of NRL history, Brisbane boast an equally young, vibrant roster fit to burst with talent and title-winning potential.<\/p>\n
But just like Maranta\u2019s old win bonuses, the incentive to make the most of it right here, right now is plain.<\/p>\n
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Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam: On the rise and set to cash in accordingly.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>NRL Imagery<\/cite><\/p>\n Brisbane\u2019s roster is already being eyed off by 16 NRL rivals with the best part of $2 million in contract upgrades for Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam either already signed off on, or in the works.<\/p>\n Even with the NRL salary cap rising to $11.25 million next year ($11.65 million including various allowances), a cap crunch looms.<\/p>\n More than a few good judges see Brisbane in a similar position to Penrith at the start of their now annual grand final roll-up. Since 2020, the Panthers have lost at least two key figures from each grand final they\u2019ve played in, with their standing and stature increasing each time.<\/p>\n Josh Mansour and James Tamou leaving three years ago morphed into Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell, then Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau \u2013 2022\u2019s best hooker and back-rower.<\/p>\n Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu follow after one more game for their junior club, while Jarome Luai continues to weigh up his options, and potentially, life beyond Penrith after 2024.<\/p>\n In the past four seasons, Panthers football boss Matt Cameron has led the same delicate salary-cap dance Brisbane are already staring down.<\/p>\n The difference though, is the healthy extensions looming for Walsh and Mam, two of this year\u2019s best-value-for-money players across the entire competition.<\/p>\n Walsh earns about $450,000 this year. Talks around a lengthy extension have been flagged for the post-season, and Brisbane will be getting the game\u2019s most marketable star for a steal if they can keep his price around the $1 million mark.<\/p>\n Mam, too, is looking at a wage \u2013 about $320,000 this season \u2013 that more than doubles when brought into line with a $700,000-$750,000 market value.<\/p>\n Haas and Carrigan are both in the final year of their previous deals, with around $400,000 bump-ups for each star forward to roll over next year after signing until the end of 2026 (Haas) and 2028 (Carrigan).<\/p>\n Until a lucrative extension for next season, Dylan Edwards was arguably the best value-for-money player in the NRL.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n While the Broncos are at the start of a potential regular run at the title, Penrith have bagged two premierships before their own best bargains in Dylan Edwards ($500,000) and Liam Martin ($400,000 until last season) earned significant upgrades for 2024.<\/p>\n Brisbane have already lost Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to cross-city rivals the Dolphins for next season.<\/p>\n Star halfback Adam Reynolds is being lined up for an extra season in 2025 before potentially shifting into coaching, while Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura (both off-contract in 2024), Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs and highly rated young prop Xavier Willison (2025) make up their next slew of potential poaching targets.<\/p>\n While Staggs is one of the highest-paid centres in the game, Cobbo, Riki and Piukora are all stars on the rise that Brisbane have already fought off rivals for during their last contract talks.<\/p>\n Cobbo especially can expect to have the fullback position dangled in front of him just as Canterbury did to lure Crichton to Belmore next season.<\/p>\n Just like Penrith, Brisbane\u2019s grand final side has been sourced in its own backyard, with 14 of the game-day 17 graduating from the club\u2019s academy.<\/p>\n Just like Penrith, though, keeping as many as possible, and winning premierships at the same time, is a challenge all on its own.<\/p>\n Watch the NRL Grand Final Exclusive Live and Free on Channel 9 and <\/i><\/b>9Now<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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