But any disappointment over the draining Origin period will be offest by what is headed the players' way. A sizeable chunk of the commission's billion-dollar broadcasting deal will be used to increase the salary cap. Some of game's elite are ready to cash in.
The likes of Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne are off contract at the end of next season - they are in line to become the latest million-dollar men.
Woo. How brilliant. How about the salary cap money goes towards retaining players that either have to retire early or go to England? If the money will just be used to top up the best player's salaries then nothing is gained. Thurston, Hayne, Smith etc will get close to a million a year and we will still have loads of talent pushed out.