NRL’s Top 10 bargain buys:
1. Maika Sivo (Eels) $72,500 plus match payments
What a story this bloke is. From the tiny village of Momi in Fiji to bush footy with the Gundagai Tigers, Sivo’s journey is as inspirational as it gets. Currently tops the NRL’s try-scorer’s list with 12 tries in 14 matches and throw in 16 line breaks to boot. Is on the NRL minimum wage contract of $72,500 plus has to be paid a $3000 match payment for every game played as part of the collective bargaining agreement. If he plays every game for the Eels, will earn a tick under $150,000 for the year. Talk about value for money.
3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders) $105,000
Once the understudy to twinkle toes Roger Tuivasa-Scheck, the Raiders snared an absolute bargain here signing Nicoll-Klokstad for about a tenth of the price. While RTS is on a deal worth $1.1 million, CNK is on $105,000 this year. And Charnze has got him covered in the running metres department, blasting out 2,634m in 2019 to lead every player in the NRL. Throw in 54 tackle busts and you can see why Ricky Stuart has to pick him in the no.1 jumper every week.
4. Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm) $140,000
Good judges reckon this bloke is on track to be the NRL’s next Kalyn Ponga. Papenhuyzen is going so strongly the Storm are busy trying to figure out ways to get him more involved. Could Jahrome Hughes move into the halves? Aside from scoring four tries in 10 games, he’s also made 22 tackle busts, seven line breaks, three line-break assists and four try-assists.
8. Jahrome Hughes (Storm) $170,000
Gun player on well above minimum wage but what value. Plays one of the most important positions, can also feature in the halves and is a current Kiwi international after debuting for Michael Maguire against Tonga mid-season.
10. Brent Naden (Panthers) $72,500 plus match payments
In a developed print photograph as one of the best finds of the season. This bloke was on a deal worth $25,000 and wasn’t even in the Panthers top 30 squad until new coach Ivan Cleary decided to take an axe to the roster. Also collects a $3000 match payment for every NRL game played and considering he’s scored four tries in four appearances so far, there’s a fair chance he’ll be there for the rest of the season. One of a number of great value for money options the Panthers have turned to turn their season around.
Honourable mentions:
Mitch Kenny (Panthers) $72,500 plus match payments
Was mowing lawns to help subsidise his rugby league income only a couple of months back. Has been a revelation for the Panthers since becoming the club’s starting dummy-half.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/90ea19879fc66e3d36b6898ce8c91a6c
