Agree with all of your thoughts. I am however missing something here. With Norman, Dufty, McInness and Merrin gone from the roster (around $2.3M on the salary cap) and with Molo singed on a reported $600K deal; where is the remaining money being spent? Surely not all on McCulloch and McGuire? By my estimation these two could only be on a combined $900K or so leaving an additional $800K to chase a key backrow forward. I am of course assuming that the De Belin salary is already accounted for? If it isn't then Millward has shot us in the foot/head with his recruitment. If we are at the salary cap limit with this squad I'll run naked down the Bruce Highway....today!!!
I think you have to take a look at who is coming off contract in 2022 and those who may have back-ended deals. Vaughan, for example has taken up his player option, so that has to be taken into consideration also.
Players off-contract (2022) - Alvaro, Bird (When do the Broncos stop paying subsidy for him?), Burns, Clune, Faama, Max and Mat Feagai, Ford, Lawrie, Sims, Maguire, Sullivan, Vaughan.
Surely you'd keep funds for upgrades to keep other clubs from poaching, such as Feagai's and Sullivan. Lawrie probably due for an upgrade as well. These all become "available" as of Nov 1. Plus factor in Molo as well. There also maybe progressive salary contracts as well. And, finally add in those we plan to re-sign from the off-contract list this year and anyone else we recruit.
Not as clear cut as in and out, many variables and chess pieces to move around the board.
