Cowboys’ rich deal to keep star

NORTH Queensland have issued a hands-off warning to rival clubs targeting Michael Morgan as they prepare a $3.2 million upgrade to make the NRL’s latest superstar a Cowboy for life.

Morgan will receive the richest deal of his career in the wake of his superb form burst that has catapulted the Cowboys into Sunday night’s grand final against Melbourne.

The Queensland Origin ace is off contract next season and would be the hottest playmaking property in the code if he opted to test his value on the open market.

But the Cowboys insist Morgan is going nowhere, with the club to begin talks on a multi-year extension that could see the in-form halfback remain in Townsville until the end of 2022.

Under the Cowboys’ succession plan, the club will structure its salary-cap to ensure Morgan is upgraded with a portion of the $1 million salary currently held by superstar Johnathan Thurston, who is tipped to retire at the end of next season.

The Cowboys are not fearful of signing marquee players to long-term deals.

In March, they signed Jason Taumalolo to a record 10-year contract and will consider a four or five-year arrangement for Morgan at close to $800,000 annually.

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The Cowboys would never force Thurston out of the club given his iconic status, but said yesterday Morgan will get the next big payday to call the shots in the post-Thurston era.

“We won’t be losing Michael Morgan – he will be our next captain,” Cowboys recruitment chief Peter Parr said.

“The reality is we can’t afford Johnathan and Michael Morgan under the salary cap (for the 2019 season).

“With our salary-cap situation, we have been succession-planning for some time. Michael Morgan will receive some of the money that we gave to Johnathan and that will give us the opportunity to upgrade Te Maire Martin.

“Nothing official has been signed with Michael, but as soon as the salary-cap for next year is finalised, we have an agreement with his management that we will start talks.”