Rugby league great Paul Gallen says the NRL’s incoming expansion will see players who aren’t “that good” earning well above their market value.
Season 2023 will see the NRL expand its competition to 17 teams as Queensland side the Dolphins enters the league under legendary coach Wayne Bennett.
Many former NRL stars have voiced their concerns about expansion, with the likes of Billy Slater and Andrew Johns to name a few.
Gallen admits he’s still struggling to come to terms with how the competition can introduce a new squad without impacting the quality of the rest of the league.
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The former Sharks skipper was speaking on the Warriors’ 60-point loss to the Storm on Monday before weighing in on the expansion debate and whether similar blowouts could occur.
“50-odd points [conceded] in a half of footy is embarrassing, nothing but embarrassing,” Gallen said on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio.
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“I’ve said it for years, and years and years I’ve written columns about it – there is not enough playing talent in this NRL competition to have another team.
“The Bulldogs are ordinary, they’re last. Newcastle aren’t going any good, Canberra aren’t going any good … you’ve got to find 35 players in the squad these days.
“They’ve got to find an extra 35 players for this team next year. In my opinion, it’s only going to dilute the talent we have. Therefore I think it brings back the quality of the matches.
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“I know the more games we have on TV, the more money there is in the game … the quality of the game is going to drop a little bit.
“Does that bring fans to the games? I don’t know.”
Gallen then made mention of the infamous Super League wars that started in 1995.
When the Super League began poaching players from the ARL, it sparked a signing frenzy that made several footballers rich at the time.
“I look back at the Super League. Players went from [earning] $50,000 [per year] to over $200,000 and $300,000 overnight,” Gallen added.
“I look at pay packets these days of players who are dead set worth $50,000 to $100,000, they’re getting $300,000 and $400,000 a year. It’s like Super League again.
“To find another 35 players going forward next year, mate, some of these blokes are licking their lips because they’re not that good. I’m telling you, I don’t think they’re that good.
“I do think it’s going to dilute the talent … I think we’re going to see some more blowout score lines like last night. Hopefully not that big, but I think it’s inevitable.”
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