Manly are preparing to lock Trbojevic brothers Tom and Jake to long-term deals and deservedly so – their abilities and commitment to the club cannot be doubted.

Kangaroos and NSW Blues stars Jake, 25, and Tom, 23, are expected to sign five-year deals worth around $10 million in the coming days – just as they come off contract.

But while it sounds great in principle to have the Trbojevic brothers secured at Brookvale for the majority of their career, it could pose some problems for Des Hasler’s men in the long run.

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Round 20

Daly Cherry-Evans is on big money Source: News Corp Australia

Daly Cherry-Evans is in year four of an eight-year contract worth $10 million, which equates to around $1.25 million a season, meaning $3.25 million of the Sea Eagles’ cap will be tied up in three players.

There is a risk with that. Cherry-Evans will be 31 by the time the season kicks off, and 34 when his contract ends.

He will be feeling the pressure to guide the Maroons back to State of Origin glory in his role as captain, too.

Manly coach Des Hasler speaks at a post match media conference Source: Getty Images

Tom has had problems with his hamstrings, too, while a fresh pec injury ended his involvement in their finals run.

His talent is undoubted but will those injuries have a lasting effect on his ability to live up to his value? It’s a worthy consideration.

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Add to that Tongan prop Addin Fonua-Blake was tied down until the end of 2022 on a deal worth roughly $500,000 per year while there have been reports that Martin Taupau and Dylan Walker have been re-signed on fresh two-year deals, and neither of those will have been cheap.

Addin Fonua-Blake of the Sea Eagles celebrates with Moses Suli Source: AAP

Combine their salaries and it would be a fair estimate to say the Sea Eagles are spending around $4.5 million.

While NRL teams are allowed 30 players in their top squad, spending such a large sum on six players is a risk.

Add to that, Manly are spending close to roughly 50 per cent of their money on six players for the next three seasons.

Injuries or suspensions could bite them more than any other club.

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One of the success stories of this year has been how Hasler has picked up unheralded potential and finetuned them into a side that was a hair’s breadth from making a preliminary final.

Manly's Jack Gosiewski busts past Luke Brooks Source: News Corp Australia

Jack Gosiewski, Reuben Garrick and Brad Parker have all been rewarded for their work with fresh deals, meaning there is very little wiggle room in the cap at Manly.

They can continue to try Hasler’s Moneyball method, and players may take unders to remain at the club for the short term. But eventually the discards will perform better and deserve to be paid accordingly.

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Moses Suli for example is now off contract, and the way he has been performing is surely deserving of an upgrade.

Whether the Sea Eagles can keep him after retaining the Trbojevic brothers will be seen in due course.