Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan will prioritise finalising the club's 2018 roster before considering any possible contract upgrades for their star five‑eighth James Maloney.
But he agrees with the two‑time premiership winner's claim that he deserves more than his current deal – believed to be AUS$600,000‑a‑year at the most.
Maloney's deal, signed in 2014, is well below the current market rate for dominant halves.
In comparison, Ben Hunt and Shaun Johnson are understood to have signed deals above the million‑dollar mark this year.
The Sharks will take on the Storm at 9.50 tonight.
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