Contract talks tend to pick up steam this time of year, with many acquisitions linked to new clubs and off-contract stars looking for new homes. With help from the experts at Fox Sports and Zero Tackle, we’ve curated a list of the 10 highest-paid NRL betting sites stars heading into next season and determined if clubs are getting value coin or not.
Mitchell Moses
Moses has developed into one of the side’s most productive halves over the past several seasons and has therefore been rewarded with his Origin debut in 2021, in what is shaping up to be a career year. The 27-year-old finished the year fifth in assists (28), third in kicking yards (9,164) and third in forced turnovers (17), all while recording table with a rate of 75%. With Parramatta about to enter into some important contract negotiations, Moses’ role at the club over the coming seasons becomes that much more important.
Nathan Cleary
Cleary capped off two near-perfect seasons with a premiership ring and the Clive Churchill Medal in 2021. As one of the top flight’s most influential players, the 24-year-old has 120 first grade games and 10 Origin games under his direction. belt, as well as a pair of three Dally M Medal finishers. He finished the year with 25 assists along with 10 four-pointers of his own, all leading the way. in terms of kicking meters (10,800) and forced turnovers (25) and made 85% of his goal kicks. Rugby league fans should get used to watching Cleary steer his club, state and country to victory in the years to come.
Jason Taumalolo
Taumalolo has enjoyed the best part of the last half-decade as a rugby league machine, generating run-timers and handling tackles like few forwards on the calendar game history. 2021 has been a down year for the Tongan international due to numerous injuries, coaching and rule changes. Despite some hiccups, the 28-year-old is still running for 139 meters per game, the fourth best tally among strikers. North Queensland will need their star forwards rejuvenated and healthy for the start of the 2022 season if they are to climb higher.
Kalyn Ponga
One of the most powerful attacking players in rugby league, Ponga is once again Newcastle’s favorite when he has the ball in his hands. Despite their number one strength, the Knights ranked just above the Canterbury wooden spooners in terms of points scored. The 23-year-old leads his team in try assists (15), line break assists (16) and clearances (69), while also being second in tries (8) and line breaks (8). Unlocking the team’s attack is certainly top of head coach Adam O’Brien’s offseason checklist, as the Knights enter 2022 without players Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson .
Cameron Munster
Having established himself as one of rugby league’s best players, Munster will be eager to move past the end of last season and put the new-look Melbourne side in contention for another title. The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the more all-round playmakers in the top flight, with a series of performances in big matches as evidence. Munster finished last season with seven tries, 15 assists, 15 clearance assists and 67 clearances but were at times outscored by other teammates. With a number of high-achieving teammates leaving the club, Munster’s leadership and playmaking responsibilities are likely to increase in 2022.
David Fifita
After linking up with the Titans on a massive deal this past offseason, Fifita has shown some incredible highs and some disturbing lows. The 21-year-old leads the way in disposals (156) and became the first striker to score 17 tries in a season since Steve Menzies in 1998 but was relegated to the exchange league seven in his last eight appearances. Fifita exhibits a tendency to drop in and out of games, a habit the Titans coaching staff needs to focus on nipping in the bud. There is no reason why a devastating ball runner like Fifita should only carry the ball 13 times per game for an average of 118 metres.
Tom Trbojevic
As the season progressed, rugby union experts well and truly ran out of superlatives to describe Trbojevic. The Sea Eagles went just 3-3 in games Trbojevic missed and 13-5 in games he participated. The 25-year-old produced one of the greatest individual seasons rugby league has seen, finishing second in tries scored (28), second in assists (31), second in line break assists (45), third in line breaks (32) and third in blocks (131), despite only playing 18 games. The Sea Eagles’ premiership credentials in 2022 will live and die on Trbojevic’s health; If he is fit at the crucial time, they will be a threat to any side.
James Tedesco
Since moving to Bondi, Tedesco has reached heights that few full-backs have achieved in recent times. A two-time premiership winner, Dally M Medalist and Wally Lewis Medalist, Tedesco took on more of a ball-holding role last season out of necessity due to the injury crisis that lasted the whole year. Rooster’s season. He is fourth in the rankings for assists (28), third for line break assists (32) and second for clearances (148), while finishing second at the club’s I’m talking about running meters (3,333) and line breaks (18). Still a consensus top-three player in rugby league, Tedesco and the Roosters should benefit from a more stable spine in 2022 and challenge the top heavyweights once again.
Ben Hunt
It’s been a mixed bag for Hunt since joining St. George Illawarra in 2018, with the diminutive number seven proving to be a lightning rod for criticism. This season, however, the 31-year-old has managed to quell some of the criticism and finished his best campaign as a Dragon, finishing in the top 10 for Dally M Medal voting and took home the club’s Player of the Year award. Despite missing nine games due to injury, Hunt led his team in assists (16) and was second in line break assists (13), while tying for the first time in his career. he averaged triple-digit running metres.
Daly Cherry-Evans
Now an 11-year veteran, Cherry-Evans has become one of rugby union’s most consistent and successful leaders. The 32-year-old finished the season ranked second in assists (31), second in kicking meters (9,433), fifth in disposals forced to give up and ranked seventh in lane break assists (26). He proved himself to be one of rugby league’s best kickers and playmakers, and was a vital cog for the Sea Eagles for more than a decade. The partnership he was able to forge last season with Tom Trbojevic was a major catalyst for the Sea Eagles to finish in the top four and much will depend on them if they challenge the top contenders input in 2022.
