NRL’s Most Questionable Contracts: Where Does Your Club’s Money Go?
In the cut-throat world of rugby league, every dollar spent on the salary cap is crucial. Clubs strive for maximum value, ensuring their investments in players translate directly to on-field success. However, not all contracts deliver as anticipated. Some become significant financial burdens, with players failing to justify their hefty price tags through consistent, high-level performance. This can stem from ambitious, big-money signings that don’t pan out, or well-intentioned contract extensions that sour as a player’s form dips.
While it’s important to note that players on this list are not necessarily “bad” footballers, their current contracts simply don’t align with the output they’re providing. Based on reported figures, we’re taking a look at some of the NRL’s most questionable value-for-money deals.
Dragons’ Doubts: Gutherson and Holmes Under Scrutiny
The St George Illawarra Dragons find themselves in a precarious position with not one, but two significant contracts raising eyebrows.
- Clinton Gutherson: Signed on a three-year deal worth a reported $800,000 per season from 2025, Gutherson’s transition to the Dragons hasn’t been smooth. While his competitive spirit remains, age appears to be catching up, with his speed becoming a notable vulnerability. Opposing teams have reportedly exploited this, particularly when defending line breaks. His offensive contribution has also been minimal, with just one try and two try assists in seven appearances, indicating a limited impact in both attack and defence. The Dragons’ decision to sign Scott Drinkwater from 2027 onwards as their future fullback further underscores the concern. This means the club is currently paying a substantial sum for a player who may not even be in the starting lineup next season, representing a significant chunk of salary cap space that could be better utilised elsewhere.
- Valentine Holmes: Adding to the Dragons’ contract concerns is Valentine Holmes, who also joined the club in 2025 on a three-year deal, commanding a reported $1 million per season. While his 2025 season has shown glimpses of his talent, particularly in his most recent outing against the Brisbane Broncos, his overall performances this season have been described as dreadful. It’s been suggested that his lucrative contract might have been the primary reason he hasn’t been demoted to reserve grade. Holmes has been plagued by errors in attack and has shown a lack of defensive intensity. For his contract to be justified, he needs to consistently replicate the form he displayed against the Broncos.
Cowboys’ Big Gamble: Taumalolo’s Declining Returns
Jason Taumalolo, once a powerhouse forward and a cornerstone of the North Queensland Cowboys, now finds his considerable contract becoming a point of contention. In the twilight of a massive 10-year deal, reportedly worth around $1 million per season, his on-field impact no longer justifies the investment.
While his contract isn’t solely responsible, it has undoubtedly hampered the Cowboys’ ability to assemble a premiership-contending squad. At 32 years old, Taumalolo’s game time has been restricted, often struggling to play beyond 40 minutes. This limited output simply doesn’t align with his substantial salary. Looking back, the initial years of this deal were a masterstroke, with Taumalolo arguably the best forward in the game. However, a 10-year commitment, especially for a player in such a physically demanding position, was always a significant gamble. He now appears to be a shadow of his former dominant self.
Knights’ Expensive Investment: Dylan Brown’s Mega Deal
The Newcastle Knights have made a significant commitment to Dylan Brown, signing him to a reported $13 million contract. To be fair, Brown has shown flashes of brilliance since his arrival, and it’s crucial to reiterate that being on this list doesn’t imply a lack of skill. Brown is a talented player.
However, the reported $1.3 million per season price tag is a figure typically reserved for players who can single-handedly steer a team to premierships. While it’s possible that in 10 years, Brown could have led the Knights to multiple championships, making this deal a resounding success, the current reality is different. Similar to Taumalolo’s situation with the Cowboys, it’s difficult to envision the Knights building a championship-contending roster when over a tenth of their salary cap is dedicated to a single player.
Sea Eagles’ Stalwart Facing Scrutiny: Jake Trbojevic
This is a particularly tough one. For many years, Jake Trbojevic has been the heart and soul of the Manly Sea Eagles, a spiritual leader alongside his brother Tom, and the face of the club. However, in recent seasons, his performance hasn’t consistently reflected the player he once was.
When he re-signed with Manly in 2019, he was considered one of the premier forwards in the game. Now, he reportedly struggles to surpass 50 metres per game while earning a reported $1 million per season. It’s worth noting that this is the final year of his current deal, and he has recently signed a one-year extension at a reduced rate for 2027. However, focusing on his current contract, it no longer represents value for money based on his present output.
Sharks’ Star Under the Microscope: Nicho Hynes
Nicho Hynes often faces criticism, some of which may be unfair. Nevertheless, the reality is that his reported $1 million per season contract is a significant figure that his performances haven’t consistently justified. Hynes is a capable player, frequently showcasing his talent and even winning the 2022 Dally M Medal.
However, his struggles against top-tier opposition are what separate him from the elite players commanding such high salaries. He has been noted for disappearing in crucial games against top-eight teams, particularly in finals matches. His impact was minimal in the Cronulla Sharks’ preliminary final loss to the Melbourne Storm, and the year prior, he was a non-factor in their defeat to the Penrith Panthers. As the primary playmaker, his role is to create opportunities, yet he often isn’t even the most effective creator in his own team, with Braydon Trindall frequently leading the side in try assists. While Hynes demonstrates effort and commitment, his current output doesn’t appear to warrant the Sharks’ substantial investment.
Titans’ Versatile Talent: AJ Brimson’s Mismatch
AJ Brimson presents an interesting case. He is an exceptionally talented and versatile player, capable of playing fullback, five-eighth, and centre. While fullback is arguably his strongest position, the Gold Coast Titans do not view him as their long-term solution in that role, opting instead for Keano Kini.
Head coach Josh Hannay has experimented with Brimson at five-eighth in an attempt to replicate his impact from fullback. However, after a slow start to the season, Brimson was shifted to centre, where he has remained. This has led to his considerable talents being under-utilised. The core issue is his reported $850,000 per season salary. While this would be a fair price for a fullback of his calibre, his current position and limited impact mean his contract doesn’t accurately reflect his value to the Titans. If Brimson were thriving at another club in the fullback role, he likely wouldn’t be on this list, as the true value of a contract is determined by the return on investment.
Tigers’ High-Stakes Signing: Jarome Luai’s Price Tag
The signing of Jarome Luai by the Wests Tigers is a topic of considerable debate. On one hand, Luai has been instrumental in the club’s resurgence. Arriving after a last-place finish in 2024, the Tigers improved to 13th in 2025 and are now genuine contenders for a top-eight spot. He has also been a key figure in a significant cultural shift, fostering a team-first mentality that has resonated with players and fans alike.
However, the counterargument centres on his reported $1.2 million per season salary. This is a figure typically reserved for players who can single-handedly win games, akin to Nathan Cleary. Furthermore, Luai is set to depart the club at the end of the 2027 season to join the PNG Chiefs. While his commitment and team-first attitude are commendable, the question remains whether he is worth the substantial amount the Tigers are paying him. The initial intention was to bring in a superstar to build around, but that superstar will only be at the club for three seasons. Considering the Tigers have demonstrated they can win games convincingly without Luai, and that the cultural shift doesn’t fully justify the price tag, especially given his impending departure, the justification for this salary is questionable.
