Last week I crossed a divide in naming, what I believe to be, ten of the worst value contracts of the recent NRL era.
That list, and the comments, can be found HERE.
Today, we cross back to the light, back to the positive side of the greatest game of all. We discuss ten of the best NRL contracts of the modern era.
It's going to be impossible to nail down a "best" top 10 so we'll go with "ten of the best". Please let me know in the comments of any you would have placed on the list.
I didn't involve contracts held by players during the Storm salary cap bust era, for obvious reasons. Smith, Inglis, Slater and co were always good value.
These are going to be more difficult to define. Players who excel or play beyond their deals are usually quickly upgraded or snapped up elsewhere.
Players picked to debut from NSW Cup or Flegg are also going to be on value deals. They won't be considered. Upgrades that continue to represent value absolutely will.
Almost all of these are going to be recruits in the same way, shape, or form due to the nature of the list.
With that said, below are 10 of the best value NRL contracts in the modern era.
Honourable Mentions: Ryan Papenhuyzen's first Storm deal
9. Dale Finucane - Melbourne Storm
Dale Finucane was a very handy player during his tenure at the Dogs. Craig Bellamy saw something special in him though when he lured the big man south the Melbourne.
He quickly became one of Melbourne's main men in the middle. His first two seasons in Melbourne earned him an extended, and upgraded contract.
More-so than his performances on field, as good as they were, Finucane became a leader and helped Bellamy, Smith and co. set the culture in purple.
Better years, results-wise, would follow in Finucane's extended contract, but the way he established himself in terms of importance on and off the field make that first one a 10/10 deal.
