‘An awful lot of money’: Cowboys’ burning salary ‘issue’ after star’s position change
Cowboys star Valentine Holmes is set to start in the centres this season after the emergence of young gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the fullback role.
After returning from a stint in the NFL, Holmes was recruited to play in the No.1 jersey but has now been shifted to an edge.
The 26-year-old signed a lucrative six-year deal in 2019 and has played 32 games for the Cowboys across two seasons.
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NRL legend Greg Alexander believes the Origin representative’s salary could become an issue moving forward for the North Queensland club, with four years left on his contract.
“Val Holmes is playing in the centres for the Cowboys,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“You’d think with the success of (Hamiso) Tabuai-Fidow in the number one at the end of last year means that he (Holmes) might be stuck in the centres.
“That’s an awful lot of money tied up in your cap for a centre.”
Holmes played 105 games for the Sharks, scoring 64 tries and winning a premiership in 2016 but has struggled to capture his Cronulla form in Queensland.
“Well I think so as well Brandy, this is going to become an increasing issue for the Cowboys,” David Riccio replied.
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“We saw some comments earlier this week from Corey Parker who said the Cowboys need to make a call on Jason Taumalolo given his million-dollar salary.
“Well, Valentine Holmes is on the same million-dollar salary, he was brought to the club as a fullback and basically has been shuffled around from fullback, to wing to centres, ultimately trialling.
“There’s no certainty Valentine Holmes will make it as an out-and-out centre, he’s been trialling and now here he is on $1 million.”
With a raft of new rules introduced over the last few seasons the game has moved to a fast-paced style and Riccio believes wingers are becoming more important, while the centres importance is fading.
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“A winger in the modern game is more important to what the winger is in the modern game compared to 10 or 15 years ago,” Riccio said.
“We see in the Australian Test team, who plays five-eighth for the Raiders playing in the centre for Australia.
“I’m not saying it’s a dying art, the centre position, but it’s not what it used to be.
“Having $1 million in the centre position is a real problem for the Cowboys.”