A LOT has been said about Ben Hunt’s impending move to St George Illawarra next season.

From being dropped to reserve grade, to being moved from the halves to hooker, the jury is out on whether the Red V’s decision to sign Hunt to one of the largest deals in NRL history will prove good business or blow up in their face.

Only time will tell.

But history shows us the importance of getting these big decisions right and just how costly they can be when a club makes the wrong call.

Round 20

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Do you remember Karl Filiga?

No? We can’t blame you.

He was the Bulldogs backrower signed by Cronulla on a three-year-deal worth $600,000 back in 2007, which was massive money at the time.

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Karl Filiga playing for Wentworthville. Source: News Limited

Billed as ‘the next Sonny Bill Williams’, there was a bidding war for his services despite the teen yet to play a lick of first grade.

The Sharks won the race for his signature but it could’ve easily been another club who made that same mistake. There were plenty of them chasing him.

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Unfortunately, Ricky Stuart has copped a ton of criticism for the signing of Filiga over the years but it goes to show even the best can get it wrong.

The reality is the player has to take some of the accountability when not kicking on.

So too the recruitment officer.

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The facts are, the Canberra coach has a great eye for talent.

Stuart and recruitment officer Peter Mulholland have plucked the likes of Elliott Whitehead and Josh Hodgson out of the English competition on minimal money.

Consider what the likes of Cameron Smith, Jake Friend and Andrew McCullough are being paid.

Hodgson’s contract is modest in comparison. It’s a smart buy and even smarter business.

But when you get it wrong, it costs your team.

Adam Blair with the ball. Source: News Corp Australia

Think back to the Wests Tigers and Adam Blair.

Fans still haven’t recovered from the disappointment that followed the $2 million deal he signed back in 2012.

He’s since rediscovered form in Brisbane and on poised for a move at the end of the year.

Newcastle lead the suitors for his services.

The Knights’ roster woes have been well documented in recent years.

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They took a gamble when they splashed the cash on former St George Illawarra forward Jack Stockwell.

He’s being paid $325,000 this year.

Stockwell has made 10 appearances in first grade this season and unlikely to be re-signed.

While some critics will say $325,000 isn’t that much for a prop but it is, especially for a fringe first grader.

That’s another example of overpaying for potential and getting it wrong.

Cowboys gun Kalyn Ponga in action. Source: News Corp Australia

The club has rolled the dice on paying for potential with Kalyn Ponga joining on a rich multi-year deal from 2018.

They’ll be praying this gamble pays off.

The reality is the successful clubs rarely get this stuff wrong.

Parramatta forward Nathan Brown has been the buy of the season. The lock is earning $170,000 and been one of their best all year.

When you look at value for money, Bulldogs prop Danny Fualalo in on $130,000 in 2017 and featured in every game for the club this season.

People often question how the Broncos can fit so much talent into their roster and stay under the salary cap.

Tautau Moga of the Broncos (right) celebrates a try. Source: AAP

When you have guns like Tautau Moga on $100,000 for 2017, you get a pretty clear idea of how they can splash the cash on big money men like Anthony Milford, Darius Boyd and Jack Bird.

It’s all about getting bang for your buck.

Where you can save on one player or a certain position, you can top up another.

That’s the secret to clever recruitment.

St George Illawarra spent big to get Ben Hunt from Brisbane.

Will that investment pay off? Time will tell.

The $1 million plus gamble could prove a masterstroke and money well spent or it could be another in a growing list of big money flops.

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