The PNG Chiefs have signed another big name from the Panthers, Brian To'o, on a three-year deal from their inaugural season in 2028, prompting questions about the salary cap.
The panel debates whether the Chiefs could offer $1 million against a $1.5 million Penrith offer, and Gus, the GM of footy, admits he has no idea how the NRL would treat it.
They agree the Chiefs must still fit within an $11.7 or $12 million cap that will rise with the new broadcast rights deal, but that tax-free dollars, worth roughly double a salary, are an unfair yet necessary incentive.
With Luai, Lomax, To'o and Watson, the Chiefs have signed four State of Origin and international players, buying names and profile, though all will be in their 30s and success in year five and year ten matters more.
Gus shrugs off the November 1 hype, noting Perth arrives next year and PNG the year after, and says he lived through 20 teams in 1995 so he is not panicking.
Brief overview
PNG Chiefs' tax-free dollars give them a big recruiting edge, but long-term sustainability is what counts.
Tax-free dollars are the Chiefs' big advantageOne panelist believes tax-free dollars would be double your salary, basically, calling it unfair but necessary.
Big-name signings are ageing starsLuai, Lomax, To'o and Watson will all be in their 30s when the club starts.
Sustainability matters more than year oneThe Chiefs should be competitive early, but year five and year ten are what count.
Questions this recording answers
8 questions, each answered where it is said
Which Panthers player have the PNG Chiefs signed, and on what deal?
The Chiefs have signed Brian To'o from the Panthers on a three-year deal starting from their inaugural season in 2028. The panel calls him one of the best wingers to play the game in the last 30 years and a State of Origin player, adding to an incredible list of signings.
Why is the tax-free salary seen as an unfair advantage for the Chiefs?
One panelist says tax-free dollars would be basically double your salary, which is a bit unfair and a massive advantage over other clubs. But they had to do something, because players won't move their families to PNG without a big incentive, and that is what it's designed to do.
How much salary cap will the Chiefs have to work with?
They will only have about $11.7 or $12 million to spend, and it will rise with the new broadcast rights deal. Whatever they promise players now will be worth more in two years, and they must manage it within the new salary cap, while signing forwards after many outside backs.
Which star players have the Chiefs signed so far?
The panel names Luai, Lomax, To'o and Watson: four State of Origin and international players, something no other club could do. They also have English players coming from the UK Super League to play under coach Willie Peters, who has been involved over there for a few years.
What are the concerns about the Chiefs' big-name signings?
They will all be in their 30s by the time they get there, having played a lot of football, so a little older and slower. In Lomax's case, it is unclear whether he will play any rugby league before then. The club is buying names, profile and promotion to unite the country.
Will the Chiefs be competitive?
The panel expects them to manage their signings within the salary cap and be quite competitive in year one. But what matters is how they're going in year five and year ten, and whether what they sign now is sustainable, with pathways for their own players to come through.
Could the Chiefs' signings lure Nathan Cleary?
Old premiership-winning teammates and tax-free dollars are handy carrots. Alana says Cleary will play wherever he wants because he can earn a lot of money. The bigger worry for the Panthers is how many players they have off contract, and Cleary's decision might be another factor.
Should clubs panic about the November 1 signing date and NRL expansion?
Gus doesn't care about November 1, saying the media get excited and then nothing happens. Perth comes in next year, PNG the year after and another team after that. He lived through Super League, with 20 teams in 1995, and says clubs with good pathways programs will still come through.
Key Quote
“The tax-free dollars is the advantage that they've got.”
— Panelist
Key Quote
“Look, I honestly believe tax-free dollars would be double your salary, basically.”
— Panelist
Key Quote
“He's one of the best wingers that have played in our game the last 30 years, right?”