The North Queensland Cowboys’ axing of Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as captains have raised questions on whether or not the membership is feeling a wage cap pinch.
On Sunday, Cowboys coach Todd Payten “made a long-term decision” to exchange Taumalolo and Townsend with Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden to grow to be the workforce’s new co-captains.
Taumalolo has 4 years to run on the historic ten-year deal he signed in 2017, whereas Townsend is about to start out his last yr of a three-year contract.
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Taumalolo is slated to earn $950,000 a season till 2027 whereas Townsend is on $700,000 in 2024.
On their weekly FootyTalk podcast, journalists Brent Read and Michael Chammas each consider there’s an opportunity Taumalolo may very well be in one other membership’s jersey earlier than too lengthy.
“There have been some feelers put out there by other clubs to see if they have a nibble at Jason Taumalolo but they’ve baulked at that because of the price tag,” Chammas stated.
“I’m not saying Jason Taumalolo will leave, but this cold go down a path where he looks at other opportunities.
“I don’t know if he’s on all that much compared to the modern day forward… I’m not saying you’d pay him $950,000 but is Jason Taumalolo not worth $750,000 if we see what some of these other guys are on.”
“So what club Mick? Is there a logical club for him?” Read put to Chammas.
“The struggling clubs are after good front-rowers like the Dragons and the Bulldogs. But I’m not starting a rumour mill now because I’m not saying that Taumalolo is looking, all I’m saying that value for money, he wouldn’t be a bad buy at $750,000-$800,000 for another club.”
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Read agreed with Chammas that the Bulldogs and Dragons are two golf equipment who needs to be if the Cowboys are contemplating parting methods with considered one of their favorite sons.
“If I’m (Dragons coach) Shane Flanagan, I’m asking the question. The Dragons need a kill, they haven’t landed one (this off-season),” he stated.
In addition to Taumalolo and Townsend, there are a variety of Cowboys on big-money offers getting into 2024.
Representative centre Valentine Holmes is on a deal that may pay him $875,000 this season whereas stud backrower Jeremiah Nanai is on $900,000 a yr.
The Cowboys have been reportedly in a battle with different golf equipment to re-sign Tom Dearden, however have been capable of get one thing completed with the proficient playmaker, who prolonged his deal till the top of 2029.
As Read famous, one of many membership’s new captains in Cotter, is due a well-deserved pay rise sooner quite than later.
These strikes will go away the Cowboys having to make not less than a few powerful selections on some proficient footballers reminiscent of Heilum Luki (off contract 2024, participant choice for 2025) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (2024).
Realistically, there appears no means the Cowboys will have the ability to hold each gamers.
Rival golf equipment are already circling the hard-running Finefeuiaki, who impressed mightily in his debut season, with the 19-year-old choosing up the Cowboys’ Rookie of the Year award.
“Are the Cowboys feeling the squeeze? With Heilum Luki, they are trying to extend as well,” Chammas stated.
“They are feeling the squeeze,” Read replied.
“We saw them feel the squeeze when they were trying to re-sign Tommy Dearden and when other clubs were coming for Tommy.
“Reuben Cotter is the big one. He’s on a deal that he signed years ago when he had multiple shoulder reconstructions and they re-signed him on a long term deal. I don’t think it pays him any more than $450,000.
“He’s in line for a massive upgrade as he’s a $800,000-a-year player.”
“There’s a lot of money long-term for Dearden, Drinkwater is on good money, Holmes is on good money.
“They have the young backrower as well (Finefeuiaki), who the Dragons are still chasing.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they start to feel the squeeze especially if they don’t start the season strong.”
Townsend’s type since arriving to the Cowboys on a three-year deal has been blended, main the workforce to a prelim in 2022 earlier than a down yr final season.
At 33-year-old and with the Cowboys throwing a stack of cash at Dearden, that is prone to be Townsend’s last yr enjoying for North Queensland.
“Writing is on the wall for Chad Townsend. Chad’s only got a year left on that big money deal, I think he’ll be gone at the end of the year,” Read stated.
On paper, the Cowboys are some of the proficient groups within the league however weren’t capable of recuperate after a sluggish begin final season, and have been considered one of three groups to overlook the finals after making them in 2022.
Payten ought to have them raring to go, and in the event that they play as much as their greatest, they’re a adequate to win a comp.
Can they benefit from what is going to seemingly be one of many final seasons they may have all their weapons collectively?
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
