NRL Rich 100 2021: Next generation of stars ready to join rugby league’s highest-paid players

It has taken a while but there will be a number of experienced players who will finally cash in on their success and make their mark on next year’s NRL Rich 100.

artwork for nrl rich 100 list

The NRL’s next wave of talent will represent a changing of the guard when the Rich 100 is revealed next year.

Gone will be the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Corey Norman, Ash Taylor, Anthony Milford, Matt Moylan, Aaron Woods, Dylan Napa, Joey Leilua and Josh Mansour. Instead, they will be replaced by teenage sensations and some experienced players who are finally cashing in on their success.

Sydney Roosters rookie duo Joseph Suaalii and Sam Walker are in line for substantial pay rises next year as is fellow budding superstar, Reece Walsh. But they won’t be the only ones who enjoy a richer 2022.

CHECK OUT THE RICH 100 LIST BELOW

Among the others expected to feature for the first time include:

– Nicho Hynes will enjoy the richest contract of his career when he takes up a $550,000-a-season deal with the Cronulla Sharks;

– Matt Burton will become Canterbury’s marquee man next year on a multi-year deal worth $500,000 a season; and

– South Sydney centre and NSW Origin squad member Campbell Graham is expected to sneak into the list with an upgraded contract.

Reece Walsh is taking the NRL by storm

Uncapped Brisbane rookie Brendan Piakura may also jump onto the list after the young forward was in demand from a host of clubs earlier this year, while re-signed Bronco Kotoni Staggs will jump into the top 100 and could be followed by Xavier Coates, AJ Brimson and Bradman Best.

It isn’t just rookies or emerging players who will surge up the pay-chart, too.

Chad Townsend, already a member of the Rich 100, will be the big winner out of next season after opting to leave Cronulla for North Queensland on mouth-watering three-year deal worth $2.4 million.

Nicho Hynes is another young star in the making

Townsend, who has switched to the New Zealand Warriors for the remainder of this season, will potentially claim a top-20 spot in 2022. His one-time Cronulla teammate Toby Rudolf stayed at the Sharks after rejecting a $550,000-a-season deal to switch to Canterbury which should be enough to have him on the list.

James Fisher-Harris has received an upgraded deal to match his standing as the game’s best prop while Penrith teammate Stephen Crichton is likely to be included.

Dylan Napa and co will be replaced by teenage sensations on the 2022 rich list no doubt

Queensland Origin player Franics Molo accepted a three year $1.5 million deal to join the Dragons while Kangaroos winger Josh Addo-Carr gets a pay rise for making the switch from Melbourne to Canterbury after narrowly missing the top 100 cut this year.

Manly prop Marty Taupau is also expected to climb the list with the final year of his deal worth about $800,000, putting pressure on the Sea Eagles’ salary cap given they already have Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom and Jake Trbojevic at the pointy end of the Rich 100.