Canterbury have been given further incentive to win Sunday's grand final after their major sponsor promised to kick in a bonus payment if they defeat South Sydney.
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Gary Johnston, the managing director of Jaycar Electronics, has vowed to cut another cheque should the Bulldogs' unlikely run through the finals result in a premiership.
It is a generous gesture from a man whose company already pumps in a sum near the $1 million-per-season mark for the right to be emblazoned on the club's jerseys.
It is not the first time Jaycar has kicked in a sweetener after the club performed beyond expectations.
The retailer tipped in an additional $100,000 to the Belmore coffers when the team took out the minor premiership two years ago, honouring a pledge Johnston made to then CEO Todd Greenberg at a boozy lunch earlier that season.
The businessman also donated $35,000 when coach Des Hasler cut off his famous locks two years ago for the club's charity partner Camp Quality, and he pledged more than $50,000 for injured Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon during the #RiseForAlex round.
While Johnston could not recall if he had already negotiated a premiership bonus as part of his sponsorship deal, he promised to tip in a further payment regardless if the Bulldogs won.
"Whether there is or isn't [already an agreement], as a gesture of goodwill I'll do something for them if they win the grand final," Johnston said.
"Todd Greenberg caught me at a weak moment last time when I was at lunch. I'd had a couple of jars of red, and being a very clever man he negotiated it. I said, 'Yeah, why not?' because at the time I didn't think they had a hope.
"I've been a bit on my guard since then. But if they win the grand final I will do something for them. To come from seventh is amazing and it's very hard to win from that far out. The fact they are in the grand final means a lot. I love the integrity of the side and have nothing but admiration for them."
Asked if it would again cost him a six-figure amount, he said: "We will look after them in some way, shape or form if they win."
Whatever the case, it will be a considerable financial boost.
The side that wins the grand final gets a $400,000 cheque from the NRL, while the runners-up get $200,000. That compares with the $370,000 on offer for the team that takes out the NRL Auckland Nines.
The only stipulation on any Jaycar bonus is that it will likely be counted as part of the salary cap should it filter down to the players.
Despite being a Wests Tigers fan, Johnston said he could not be happier with his relationship with the club, which began midway through the 2009 season and is set to expire at the end of 2015. He hoped to continue the association beyond that contract.
"We'll be back at the negotiating table," he said. "What happens on Sunday will determine how cheeky they get."
