St George Illawarra star Tyson Frizell has declared a premiership is more important than a bigger salary in considering his next NRL deal.
The off-contract NSW and Australia star has a three-year offer on the table from Newcastle as well as an extension from the Dragons to consider, but admits there are bigger priorities at play than money.
Speaking on Friday at the NRL Nines in Perth, Frizell admitted chasing NRL success is the driving factor behind what is a major career decision for the 28-year-old at the peak of his powers.
When asked if this would be the biggest contract of his career, Frizell said: “I hope so, in terms of security for my family and stuff like that. We put our body on the line, we work so hard.
“I’ll let my footy do the talking. I’m not too worried about money talk and all that kind of stuff.
“People know that I’m looking to win a premiership hopefully and play some good footy, and play finals footy.
“That’s what we do it for. People go looking for money and that’s a nice part of it, but if that’s what’s driving us I’m not going to be successful at all.”
All but 12 of Frizell’s 157 NRL games have been with the Dragons, and while he said he loves the club, he admits his future may lie elsewhere.
“A lot of things are a factor. I haven’t made my decision,” he said.
“Once I’ve got all the cards on the table I can work out what I’m doing. Hopefully it’s here at the Dragons but these things happen.
“I love the club and hopefully I can see myself here long term but if that’s not the case, then that happens.”
Losing Frizell would come as a huge blow to the Dragons, who finished 15th last season.
Negotiations between Frizell, the Dragons and the Knights are ongoing although he hopes to have made a decision by round one.
The Knights are believed to be limited in their salary cap space with stars Mitchell Pearce, David Klemmer and Kalyn Ponga the biggest earners.
Although speculation has surrounded Frizell’s contract for the past year, he accepts it will drag on until he makes a decision.
“To be fair, it’s a part of footy. You can’t get too down on it, I probably did at the start with stuff getting spoken about,” he said.
“It just happens I’m off contract at the moment and looking to secure my future. I’m hoping to do it sooner rather than later and put it to bed.”