Ryan Papenhuyzen the 'prime target' for newest NRL team - and could become first $2m player
Ryan Papenhuyzen is reportedly the 'prime target' of the new NRL team in Perth, and he could become the game's first $2 million player if he makes the switch from the Melbourne Storm. Due to likely increases to the salary cap in coming years, the Perth-based Bears will present an opportunity for the first player in the history of the game to break the $2 million barrier when they come into the comp in 2027.
North Sydney Bears board member Billy Moore predicted last week that the market for players will explode in the next few years. He also suggested that Dylan Brown's $14 million deal across 10 years with Newcastle will be regarded as "benign" due to supply-and-demand pressures.
Western Reds great Mark Geyer and respected NRL player manager Simon Mammino have now suggested that elite players will have an opportunity to maximise their earnings like never before with the introduction of the Perth-based Bears in 2027. And it will increase even further when the PNG team comes in a year later.
NRL clubs will have $12.7 million to spend in 2027 - which is the last year of the current broadcast rights deal. Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys has stated he's targeting $3 billion for the next deal for 2028-2032 - up from $2 billion the current one is worth.
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Mammino believes the salary cap will be around $15 million for all teams in 2028 if the game maximised broadcast revenues. And it means players might start getting $2 million per season.
"The $2 million contract is on the cards for an elite half or fullback," Mammino told AAP. "It may not happen in Perth's first year but it definitely could in the second year if they keep the same number of players in the rosters, because you are probably looking at an extra $3 million to spend on 30 players.
"If the minimum player wage of $150, 000 in 2027 doesn't rise too much you could have 10 players on $2 million in total, leaving you $13 million to spend on 20 players. "The introduction of Perth and PNG is going to push up the price of elite players and there will be more lower end players because a lot of them are not going to be up to NRL speed. There are more clubs, less product. The price goes up."
AAP reporter Joel Gould revealed on Sunday that "AAP understands...Papenhuyzen is a prime target for Perth given his elite talent and marketability." A number of players have been floated as being possible targets for the Bears, but Papenhuyzen appears to be the first genuine one.
Papenhuyzen and Storm teammate Jahrome Hughes are both off contract at the end of 2026, coinciding with Perth's introduction the next year. Papenhuyzen does have a 'mutual' option at the Storm for 2027, meaning he can remain if both he and the club agree.
But it'd be hard to turn down the riches that might be on offer in Perth. The fact the fullback only signed a one-year extension last year suggests he wanted to keep his options open and see what eventuated with the expansion teams. Influencer girlfriend Emma MacDonald already followed him from Sydney to Melbourne, so it doesn't seem implausible that they'd be open to switching states again.
Geyer, who was the biggest name to play for the Perth-based Western Reds (1995-97), said the new franchise would aim high with recruitment targets. "Imagine getting a marquee player to Perth like a Lachie Galvin, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sam Walker or a Jahrome Hughes," Geyer said.
"I really think we could see the first $2 million dollar player once the new broadcast deal kicks in. Perth is going to be a magnet. It was a fantastic voyage for me and I am sure modern NRL players will want to be a part of it. They will embrace it."
with AAP
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