In fact,the first players who will be accommodated will be those on the minimum wage.

The current base salary for players is $80,000,which could rise to $150,000 as part of the demands rolled out by the RLPA.

Penrith is one club that has relied on minimum-wage players more than most as a way to help balance out a roster with no shortage of big-name stars who have helped deliver the western Sydney club the past two NRL titles.

They already have several players on minimum wage,and will rely on a further two to be added by the start of next season.

The Panthers are also aware they have Jarome Luai,Isaah Yeo and fullback Dylan Edwards all off contract at the end of 2024,and who will be itching to commence talks about their futures.

The easy option would be to move on Edwards and keep Crichton,but Edwards earns less money and was this year’s Clive Churchill Medal winner.

It is expected Crichton,just 22,will push for a minimum three-year deal worth well north of $800,000,given his success on the representative arena.

Scott Sorensen comes off contract at the end of 2023,as does Spencer Leniu who will find it difficult to leapfrog James Fisher-Harris or Moses Leota for a starting front-row spot.

Several youngsters have trained with Penrith’s full-time squad this off-season as the club looks to its apparently never-ending production line to deliver more talent for the top grade,including Jack Cole who made his debut in the final round of the regular season.

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