NRL hits back at prizemoney criticism

The Melbourne Storm sit in top spot with one round to play. Photo /Getty

The NRL has hit back at claims it doesn't offer enough prizemoney for teams in the finals series.

As the debate continues surrounding the meagre $100,000 award for the minor premiership, the NRL on Thursday moved to debunk claims that the only additional prizemoney on offer was the $400,000 given to the premiers.

"Up to $2.5 million in prizemoney and incentives will be up for grabs in the NRL finals series which begins next week," they said in a statement.

"This includes $1 million in prizemoney, rising from $20,000 for a first week finals loser through to $400,000 for the grand final winner."

Along with the $20,000 given to the first two teams eliminated, $30,000 is given to those outed in the second week, $100,000 in the third week and $200,000 to the grand final losers.

In comparison, the AFL offer $71,000, $110,000, $330,000 respectively for first, second and third-week losers, before $660,000 is given to the runners-up and $1.2 million to the premiers.

No minor premiership prize money is awarded by the AFL.

The NRL also said a pool $1.5 million was available to clubs in corporate hospitality and cash incentives for reaching gate and attendance targets throughout the finals.

The NRL's insistence comes after Melbourne co-owner Matthew Tripp labelled the $100,000 prize to minor premiers as embarrassing on Wednesday, ahead of the deciding clash between the Storm and Cronulla on Saturday night.