I'm pretty comfortable Bulldogs management are watching all players closely including development players to correctly calibrate salary offers.
The club has performance data no one else can access including the players themselves, and their managers feeding imaginary stories to the media.
There will always be clubs like Eels, Tigers, Dragons who are prepared to take a risk and offer more than a player's current club, without having the data.
Skelton going to Tigers would be an example.
So if another club is prepared to pay more than what the Bulldogs have offered a player, well I'm trusting the Bulldogs have a better idea what a player is worth.
But based on what I saw this year, Papalii has not yet established himself as the Bulldogs next fullback. The line breaks seemed to evaporate in 2024.
He may try and take on another role, but it's a risk.
I think the real question is after Tracey and Taaffe, who else is coming through to take on the full back role?
It would also be interesting to know what Wilson or even Eli Clark are being offered by other clubs compared with Papalii.
And then to ask who is better value?