The NRL allows players to contest their market valuation, potentially aiding PNG Chiefs in pursuing Hudson Young amid salary cap concerns.
The NRL will allow players to challenge the market value ascribed to them by head office in a move that could revive the PNG Chiefs' pursuit of NSW and Canberra star Hudson Young.
The governing body initially placed a notional value of $1.1 million per season on Young, in line with the offer tabled by the Raiders to retain their gun back-rower.
That valuation helped placate existing clubs, who were concerned the Chiefs - armed with tax-free dollars - could seek to stretch their advantage even further. Their offer of $900,000 a year would have given Young a huge increase in his take-home pay when compared with the taxable wages on offer at Canberra.
Under the NRL's initial valuation, the Chiefs would have had to carry Young in their salary cap for $1.1 million, even if he accepted the $900,000 deal. The salary cap auditor subsequently revalued Young at $1 million, but the Chiefs are adamant that is still $100,000 more than they are willing to pay for a player coming off a serious Achilles injury, and at a time when other back-row options are available.
