The Unbalanced Landscape of the NRL
After just a month of this unpredictable, even chaotic, NRL season, there are two certainties compared to last year: the Panthers won’t be at the bottom of the table at the halfway mark, and no team will “do a Canberra” and come from outside the top eight to win the minor premiership. This shift in dynamics highlights the growing imbalance within the league.
The salary cap, meant to ensure parity across the code, is not fulfilling its intended purpose. We saw this clearly when Penrith won four consecutive premierships while Wests Tigers took the wooden spoon three times. The financial disparity between clubs has become increasingly evident, with some teams unable to compete on equal footing.
One significant move that highlighted this issue was when Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai switched to Wests Tigers. This suggested that Penrith could not house all their superstars under the salary ceiling, while the Tigers had more space. However, money wasn’t Luai’s main concern. He wanted leadership. Despite his absence, his young, motivated team defeated the unbeaten Warriors 32-14 away, showcasing the depth of talent in the Panthers’ squad.
On the other hand, the Dragons remain winless and at the bottom of the ladder, which aligns with coach Shane Flanagan’s early prediction that “we are not going to win the comp this year.” His pessimism may stem from the belief that the salary cap fails to support bottom clubs effectively. The Dragons were forced to offer more money and a longer-term deal to entice Keaon Koloamatangi away from South Sydney in 2027. The Rabbitohs had been burned by long-term deals signed by Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess, and couldn’t justify paying a middle forward $1 million when he would be 33 by the time the contract ended.
Despite this, the Dragons agreed to give Koloamatangi a fifth year in his contract, a decision that could lead to future financial difficulties. Paying out $1 million plus to Koloamatangi in 2031 might mean less money to upgrade players like the Couchman brothers, Ryan and Toby.
Additionally, the Dragons do not receive any concessions for developing juniors who sign elsewhere, such as the sons of club legends. For example, Melbourne’s Tyran Wishart (son of Rod), Bulldog Aaymon Fitzgibbon (son of Craig), and Roosters brothers Toby and Tom Rodwell (sons of Brett) have moved on without any benefits to the Dragons.
This season, only two major players from last year’s top-eight clubs have joined teams in last year’s bottom nine: hooker Reed Mahoney (Canterbury to North Queensland) and half Jamal Fogarty (Canberra to Manly). These moves replaced two Origin stars recruited from bottom-nine clubs to top-eight ones – Reece Robson (North Queensland) and Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly) to the Roosters.
According to a Rugby League Players Association survey, money is only the third most important reason players switch clubs. While 80% of the general population cites money as the main driver for switching jobs, this was the case for only 21% of NRL players and 11% of NRLW players moving clubs. RLPA chief executive Clint Newton emphasized that factors such as a club’s culture, opportunity to be a starting player, the coach, and the club’s chances of success are more significant motivators.
Word spreads quickly about the quality of coaching and high-performance structures, influencing players’ decisions. Established coaches at clubs with long-term success, such as Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy, Penrith’s Ivan Cleary, or the Sydney Roosters’ Trent Robinson, attract players willing to play for less money. Young, promising players often seek quick progression, leading them to join successful teams.
Opportunity often outweighs money for middle-tier players. Those consigned to replacement roles on the bench behind established stars may seize an opportunity to switch clubs for a starting role, even if the money is less. Daniel Atkinson left the Sharks to wear the No.7 jersey at the Dragons, while the durability of the Storm’s veteran No.7, Jahrome Hughes, forced Jonah Pezet and Wishart to sign with other clubs for starting halfback money.
Sydney clubs have an advantage in attracting players due to the convenience of staying in the area. Cherry-Evans recently revealed he had offers from other clubs but chose the Roosters because his children could stay at the same school and his family could remain on the northern beaches.
Home is where the heart is, and many players make decisions based on family reasons. Representative forward Mitch Barnett will leave the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season for “family reasons,” while 28-year-old Melbourne winger Will Warbrick will travel in the opposite direction for the same reason, joining the Warriors. Premiership forward James Fisher-Harris left the Panthers for the Warriors to be closer to his Kiwi family.
Clubs and players sometimes press the trigger prematurely. Increasingly, clubs sign players for the following season before a ball has been kicked in the current one, often leading to embarrassment when the incumbent shines. Raiders hookers Tom Starling and Owen Pattie helped the club to the minor premiership in 2025 when the club signed Newcastle dummy half Jayden Brailey. In last week’s loss to the Sharks, Starling played 61 minutes and Brailey 19.
Similarly, the Roosters had young halves coming through but signed veteran Cherry-Evans, so Sandon Smith left for the Knights – where he led his team to a win over Canterbury last week.
Players can also eject prematurely. Grant Anderson left the Storm, where he was the third-choice centre, to join Brisbane, where he is also ranked No.3. Now, with Melbourne losing two grand final centres – Jack Howarth to groin-hip problems and Nick Meaney is playing on the wing – plus Moses Leo having played fewer than 10 rugby league games, Anderson would be the No.1 centre at the Storm.
Player managers can subvert the salary cap. The Storm still quote the ancient case of the manager who acted for stars and journeymen at the club. In negotiations with Melbourne, he insisted on a big fee for an Australian forward, while dismissing the others with the comment: “Pay them what you like.”
Players are better behaved now. A decade ago, a highly paid player jettisoned for misbehaving would be quickly signed by a club desperate for an X-factor. The budget-strapped Sharks won the 2016 premiership with discards such as Ben Barba, Andrew Fifita, and James Maloney, deemed to be troubled or high-maintenance individuals. The NRL’s comically named “no-fault” stand-down clause has reduced these sorts of moves, which helped level the talent pool.
