The $3.654M has to be divided among 30 players - just like us! There is a loophole that allows a super league club to nominate two players as "marquee" and their money isn't counted in the cap. This is not for the likes of Vaughan though (no disrespect intended). It is for up-and-comers like Jai Field and Jack Welsby, so that, when the NRL come calling, their super league clubs can make realistic counter offers.
Paul has been good for us this year but he is not quite the player he was four or five years ago. Next season he will be a year older and a year slower. He will get an easier run in super league. Best of luck to him.
BTW - if any of you are on Kayo, you can watch the English second division game between Leigh and Featherstone. An old Dogs favorite, Krisnan Inu is going round for Leigh. He looks like somebody's grandfather has wandered on to the pitch but he is still playing well.