Just what is Tezza worth
By DEAN RITCHIE
February 28, 2005
REJUVENATED centre Terry Hill has won the on-field battle to secure a contract in the NRL.
But a second – and possibly more high-pressured battle – will today be wagered off the field.
That being how much money will Hill receive this season from Manly?
Hill, 33, virtually ensured himself a return to the NRL after scoring three tries in a 16 minute period during Manly's 26-16 trial win over St George Illawarra at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Manly officials privately claim his contract value will be about $50,000.
Hill's manager Wayne Beavis will almost certainly fight for more.
The money wrangle will be the final hurdle in remarkable comeback for Hill, who missed all of last season with Souths due to injury.
Hill will today meet Manly coach Des Hasler to discuss the former Test centre's future.
"No doubt there will be an arm wrestle with his manager," said Manly executive director Paul Cummings.
"Any deal would be match payments.
"But it would be closer to the top end of the standard NRL (minimum payment) contract.
"We are keen to have Terry here but having said that we have three young centres here in Karl Johnson, Paul Stephenson and Ashley Alberts.
"We also have Chris Hicks.
"I'm sure Terry's manager will be asking for $100,000 to $150,000 but those aren't figures we will agree on.
"We have no set figure but it will be well short of $100,000."
Beavis said he had no pre-conceived asking price.
"I said from the start that we just wanted Terry to get through the trials first," Beavis said.
"I'd say the contract will be incentive-based but it's also got to be worthwhile for Terry to play.
"But Terry is a keen competitor and at the end of the day he could go around for less than what he might get in the market place.
"It's a matter of going down [to Manly] and seeing what they have to say.
"He will talk to Des about how he feels and the club will tell him how they feel.
"The other part [contract talks] should be easy."
Hill told reporters at fulltime on Saturday night that he was ready to return to big time rugby league.
"I'll have a couple of meetings with the club this week, but I'm just over the moon with tonight's performance," said Hill, who has shed 13kg in the off-season.
"I'll have a talk with Des [Hasler] on Monday and we'll go from there. So far, so good.
"But the main thing is that I got through the game injury-free and, at the moment, it's all about not breaking down."
St George Illawarra sustained their second successive pre-season loss but the club was playing without 12 regular first graders.
Centre Brett Kelly scored three tries for the Dragons.
By DEAN RITCHIE
February 28, 2005
REJUVENATED centre Terry Hill has won the on-field battle to secure a contract in the NRL.
But a second – and possibly more high-pressured battle – will today be wagered off the field.
That being how much money will Hill receive this season from Manly?
Hill, 33, virtually ensured himself a return to the NRL after scoring three tries in a 16 minute period during Manly's 26-16 trial win over St George Illawarra at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Manly officials privately claim his contract value will be about $50,000.
Hill's manager Wayne Beavis will almost certainly fight for more.
The money wrangle will be the final hurdle in remarkable comeback for Hill, who missed all of last season with Souths due to injury.
Hill will today meet Manly coach Des Hasler to discuss the former Test centre's future.
"No doubt there will be an arm wrestle with his manager," said Manly executive director Paul Cummings.
"Any deal would be match payments.
"But it would be closer to the top end of the standard NRL (minimum payment) contract.
"We are keen to have Terry here but having said that we have three young centres here in Karl Johnson, Paul Stephenson and Ashley Alberts.
"We also have Chris Hicks.
"I'm sure Terry's manager will be asking for $100,000 to $150,000 but those aren't figures we will agree on.
"We have no set figure but it will be well short of $100,000."
Beavis said he had no pre-conceived asking price.
"I said from the start that we just wanted Terry to get through the trials first," Beavis said.
"I'd say the contract will be incentive-based but it's also got to be worthwhile for Terry to play.
"But Terry is a keen competitor and at the end of the day he could go around for less than what he might get in the market place.
"It's a matter of going down [to Manly] and seeing what they have to say.
"He will talk to Des about how he feels and the club will tell him how they feel.
"The other part [contract talks] should be easy."
Hill told reporters at fulltime on Saturday night that he was ready to return to big time rugby league.
"I'll have a couple of meetings with the club this week, but I'm just over the moon with tonight's performance," said Hill, who has shed 13kg in the off-season.
"I'll have a talk with Des [Hasler] on Monday and we'll go from there. So far, so good.
"But the main thing is that I got through the game injury-free and, at the moment, it's all about not breaking down."
St George Illawarra sustained their second successive pre-season loss but the club was playing without 12 regular first graders.
Centre Brett Kelly scored three tries for the Dragons.
