WHEN Jack Bird arrives at Red Hill next season, we’ll be getting a 22-year-old, premiership-winning Origin player who can cover four or five positions on his ear.

He could easily have a green and gold Test jumper in his wardrobe by then too.

Wayne will have his plans for how Jack fits into the Broncos structure and starting line-up, but right now I’d assume he will get an early crack in the halves.

So if a 22-year-old representative playmaker with Jack Bird’s talent is earning more money than me, I’m more than comfortable with that.

Round 19

Same goes for Anthony Milford. In my opinion Milf is a $1 million-plus player. Here’s why.

A pair of $1 million steals

Put simply when Milford is on song, he wins us games on his own and Jack Bird is a similar type of player.

It’s only natural that players take some notice of speculation around contracts; it doesn’t matter if it’s a player at your club or at a different club.

People always compare themselves to other people in any workplace, and players always compare themselves to other players. It’s not just a competitive nature, it’s simply human nature.

If Bird is coming to Brisbane on the $700,000 deal that’s been reported, it’s the steal of the century.

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If he’s earning $1 million a year, it’s still a pretty good deal for the club considering he’s played Origin, won a comp and covers centre, five-eighth, lock and possibly fullback.

It’s a realistic figure with the salary cap going up — one or two million dollar players at each club are going to be the norm.

Paying for potential

Then when you consider the potential Jack has as a ballplayer and a half, I’m more than comfortable if his pay packet ends up bigger than mine.

Which way’s north? Jack Bird is heading to play with Boyd next season. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Halves are the highest paid players across the game — regardless of how many Origins or Tests they’ve played — because they’re structurally the most important player in a team.

When you think about what Bird can do for a club over the next decade, it’s incredibly exciting.

His potential to keep growing as a player is obviously great than mine. That’s not to say I can’t improve, not at all.

But realistically, I’m 29, and my ceiling in that regard ... you have an idea of where it is.

With Jack though, he could be anything. His best football could be a long way down the track, and he could be a much better player.

Milf too. His potential is a bit scary when you think he’s only in his third season playing five-eighth at the top level.

Watching him alongside Kodi Nikorima against the Titans last week was really encouraging.

With a less experienced half replacing Ben Hunt, Milf really stood up and relished the responsibility.

He’s only going to get better at that with every opportunity he gets. If he’s not worth $1 million a year right now, it’s only a matter of time until he is.

Handling the hype

Anthony Milford has been distracted by contract negotiations according to Wayne Bennett. Pic Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

It’s no secret that endless speculation and contract discussions can have an effect on clubs and individuals, and Wayne did raise it recently, saying all the negotiations were proving a distraction for Milf.

I personally haven’t noticed anything him, or any of our playing group, so it hasn’t been addressed in specifics by our side.

But I have thought about doing so since becoming captain, and Wayne did bring it up early in the year.

The Broncos do have a lot of players coming off-contract this year and have been moving regularly and quickly to lock the boys in one after another.

This is the ideal way to handle what can be a delicate situation. It creates faith among the players when there is a clear direction and timeline for recruitment and retention.

Bronco for life

And this is why I have no concern whatsoever about my own future.

Obviously it’s nice to have things sorted sooner rather than later but I honestly wouldn’t have a clue how far away a deal is.

Darius Boyd is happy to finish his career at the Broncos. Pic Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

I know I will finish my career at Brisbane. To be captaining a side that I supported as a six-year-old is a genuine honour, and when I finish I know the club will be in good hands.

I know I’ll personally be in good hands too. It’s well known the Broncos have a history of players accepting less money than on offer elsewhere to stay and play alongside quality teammates at Red Hill.

That comes full circle when you’re playing rep footy, playing finals and hopefully winning competitions.

But I’d say Brisbane is just about the best in the game at looking after their former players too. Club legends Corey Parker and Justin Hodges are still around, but so too are Jharal Yow Yeh and Jack Reed, two great players and great blokes who had their careers cut short by injury.

That’s what makes me so happy to watch the future of this club grow, and help to shape it over the next few years.

The potential here is worth its weight in gold.