Payne isn't different to 95% of the players in the NRL (actually make that world sport) these days. at least from clubs where the salary cap is a suggested figure rather than a rule.
They all want to test the market, either because they want to ensure the offer they're getting is fair, or because they genuinely want to leave to a different club.
even take a look at the Panthers, they have a very close side, won a couple of titles, but still have plenty of players testing the market. and I can go to "almost" any team and you'll find star players that test the market.
As Gordie said on NRL 360, the cost of living will be a factor for Payne. $1 million in Brisbane buys you more than $1 million in Sydney.
The offers from premiership ready teams will be similar to ours, so i don't think we really have to be concerned about them, given we are not only entering out premiership window, but have the added bonus of some of his best mates playing for us. The Danger will be a couple of desperate teams offering $1.4 - $1.5 million a year (but he has no chance of a premiership with those teams).
I'd actually be tempted to tell Payne and his manager to not worry about waiting to November ... take the next couple of weeks and go get your offers now, then come back to us (no NRL team would ever do that though).
of course this is still all speculation from Slothfield, who pretty much said he didn't get much out of Payne's manager, but he got the "impression" our offer would be rejected