Special investigation: The hidden contract clauses, options for every NRL player

From emerging NRL stars through to the biggest names in the game - MICHAEL CARAYANNIS reveals more than 50 players across multiple NRL clubs have hidden contract clauses which could rock the player market. How does it affect your team?

The hidden NRL contract clauses.

More than 50 players across 14 NRL clubs have hidden contract clauses which could rock the player market.

From emerging NRL stars through to the biggest names in the game, players at 14 of the 17 NRL teams could become available as early as this year as clubs navigate the balancing act between contract clauses and keeping rosters flexible.

Penrith is just one of three clubs who do not have an option in any of their playing contracts, with Canterbury and the Roosters the other clubs.

The Panthers decided during their historic premiership four-peat to not allow any player or mutual options in their deals.

“At a point in time there was a robust discussion where the board endorsed a recommendation that the football department could not insert a mutual or player option into a contract,” Panthers rugby league boss Matt Cameron said.

The Panthers will allow for club options, which leaves the decision on a players’ future up to the club.

Contract options work in all weird and wonderful ways.

Some are simply up to the player if they want to remain at a club for another season.

Others are more complex and include triggers that players have to meet to ensure they get a new deal.

Some are mutual options which indicates a club can take up a player at a certain amount while a player could also extend his stay on a different amount. Some clubs have not even announced the options.

The Eels (seven) have the most of any club, while Melbourne and Canberra (six each) are next.

The Eels have the most players with contract options in the NRL.

Sunday Sesh can also reveal that:

• Justin Olam had a get-out clause for 2026 if PNG were fast-tracked into the competition. He is now contracted to the Tigers for next year. Teammate Jarome Luai is committed to the Tigers for two years but can get out at the end of 2026.

• Ryan Matterson has already informed Parramatta that he will take up the final year of his contract for 2026. The Eels control Josh Addo-Carr’s future with the club needing to tell him by June if they want to retain him next year. Dylan Brown has two get-out clauses in his contract which expires at the end of 2031. He needs to tell the club if he wants to stay in 2026 and 2027 by round 10. The Eels remain locked in talks about extending Mitchell Moses’ contract and taking out his clauses in his deal.

• The Knights have until June 30 to work out the futures of veterans Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell.

• Jaydn Su’A’s contract extension was announced as a two-year deal starting from this year. He does however have an option in his favour to remain at the Dragons in 2027. Jacob Liddle has a mutual option which means the Dragons can take it up at a certain amount and if they do not he can take it up at a lesser amount a week later.

• Su’A is not alone when it comes to secret options. Ex-Wallaby turned Titan Carter Gordon has a mutual option on his services for next year, as does new Warriors recruit Tannah Boyd. The Titans announced Klese Haas had signed a three-year contract but the final season is an option in his favour.

• A host of Boyd’s Warriors teammates have mutual options including Chanel Harris-Tavita (for 2026) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2027). Tohu Harris also had an option in his contract announced his retirement on Thursday.

• The Raiders have until round six to let halfback Jamal Fogarty know if they want him for 2026. If they elect not to take up the 12-month extension, Fogarty can still remain at the club for a significantly less deal and he has until round 20 to let the Raiders know.

• Raiders centre Matt Timoko has an option in the final two years of his deal for 2027 and 2028. The Raiders will have until round 16 next year to take up the deal for 2027 and Timoko can take it by round 20. The final season is in Canberra’s favour for about $100,000 more than his 2027 contract value.

• Veterans David Klemmer and Christian Welch head towards 2026 with unique situations. Klemmer needs to play as many as 14 games in 2025 to be guaranteed another year at the Tigers while Welch needs to play at least 18 games to enact a clause in his deal for 2026 in Melbourne. The alternative is for Welch to win a State of Origin recall, which would also secure him another season.

David Klemmer’s contract clause.

Christian Welch’s contract clause.

As for Klemmer, he said he was not worried by his game trigger.

Klemmer has played at least 18 games a year since his first full season in the top grade in 2014.

“(My mindset) would be different if I was at the beginning of my career,” Klemmer said. “Obviously I’m at the back end… all I can control is coming to training and doing my best. I am respectful, train well, be a good person and a good leader.

“If (I thought) about it, it would eat you up. I just have to play good football.

“I’ve always said that as soon as the wheels fall off I’ll hang the (boots) up.

“I’m still fighting and competing. I am running good times. Once I am not keeping up with the blokes then it’s time. I’m still there or thereabouts and fighting for it.”