What's he on at the moment do you think? 400k maybe? Won't waiting and extra year (2022) at the storm cost him atleast the same amount again and to play in a position he has said he doesn't want? Wasn't there reports that the expansion might wait until 2024 now due to Covid? So there's another 400k. Could cost him 800k or more waiting on Bellamy and a new Brissie club. Doesn't sound educated to me.
I don't believe that it is at all unusual for players to play for $200k+ less under Bellamy. That's how they get $12m worth of players to play for $9.7m, everyone is expected (demanded) to take a ~20% haircut on their true worth. Ignoring the personal income tax averaging that BSmith is undoubtedly entitled to, he could loose up to 40% of any extra he gets paid in tax. So the "spending money" difference is not as big as it sounds.
Take Finucane as an example, possibly offered around $350k to $400k to stay at the Storm (plus ~$50k for being Co Captain) and worth $500k to $550k, it took $625k to get him to Cronulla. How much is in the Cap and how much is outside is a can of worms not worth opening for this discussion.
They are both contracted for next year and as such they get paid what their current contracts say. Grant is contracted for next season PLUS a Melbourne option for 2023 which they will undoubtedly exercise, unless his injury woes continue. He's primed to take advantage of the new Brisbane team in 2024 or go home to North Qld since Granville's contract is up in 2023 (the year he turns 34).
I don't see Bellamy staying beyond next year, so for 1 year BSmith gets underpaid in the back rower to hooker stakes PLUS underpaid in the typical Melbourne fashion, but he could get a pay rise on what he is currently on. Realistically he has no choice for next year, take the pay rise if offered and concentrate on 2023 (which in BSmith's case is the only "extra year").
My guess is when Bellamy actually announces officially that he is staying for another year that he will also announce that it is definitely his last year. So there is no doubt in anyone's mind about 2023, he simply won't be there. Who stays and who goes then depends somewhat on who they appoint as the new head coach. I expect to se a flurry of activity from Melbourne locking up players so that they don't suffer from a mass exodus at the end of next year, especially since they only have 2 players contracted past 2023.
Always a Bulldog