2023 NRL Rich 100: Bargain buys and blowout contracts, deals that make or break your club

These are the contracts around the game proving problematic for clubs. But is there light at the end of the tunnel? We uncover the best and worst deals in rugby league.

They’re the surprise bargain basement buys whose contracts are about to skyrocket.

Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes and Queensland’s World Cup winners Harry Grant and Jeremiah Nanai headline some of the best-value deals in rugby league.

The trio all make their first appearances in the annual NRL Rich 100 in 2023 after being recognised for their growing stature in the game.

And the rewards are only going to get richer.

Nanai squeezes in at the entry level of the Rich 100 this season, but his salary will jump to around $800,000 next year as part of the deal the Cowboys put in place to ward off rivals and keep him in Townsville until at least the end of 2027.

While his current contract represents value for money, Nanai’s new deal will create salary cap challenges for a North Queensland club that will also have to factor in the sharp increase for fellow Queensland Origin forward Reuben Cotter from his modest $400,000 wage.

Nicho Hynes current deal is one of the best value-for-money in the NRL. Picture: Getty

Nanai is one of six Cowboys in the Rich 100, alongside Jason Taumalolo ($950,000), Valentine Holmes ($875,000), Luciano Leilua ($725,000), Chad Townsend ($700,000) and Coen Hess ($550,000).

Cronulla have arguably one of the most balanced rosters in the NRL with seven Sharks in the Rich 100, but they make up little more than $4 million of their $11.45 million salary cap.

Halfback Hynes is the Sharks’ second-highest-paid player on $620,000, but that will rise significantly when the monster six-year extension he signed in April kicks in next season, where he will earn close to the $1 million mark.

Grant is in a similar situation at Melbourne. With the departures of Felise Kaufusi, Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, the Storm hooker’s salary this season puts him in the Rich 100 at a bargain price of $570,000.

That status will be short-lived, however, with Grant’s pay packet to rise dramatically. His salary for the next two years will be around the seven-figure mark, and the Queensland Origin star has an option in his favour for 2026.

Harry Grant is due a pay rise - which will come in the next few years. Picture: Getty

While those deals have proved great business for their respective clubs, other contracts around the game are proving problematic.

Canterbury’s Luke Thompson has struggled with injuries and suspensions that have played havoc on his stint at the club, while he accounts for $800,000 in the Bulldogs’ salary cap. He has featured in just 38 games since joining the club midway through 2020 and is a chance of not playing at all this year after a serious pre-season ankle injury.

Thompson is off-contract at season’s end and his deal could be worth half that of his current value should he want to remain in the NRL.

He is not the only player facing a significant pay cut. Off-contract Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks won’t ever get close to his current $1.15 million pay packed. Brooks has already rejected a deal worth about $550,000 a season to remain at the Tigers.

Waqa Blake can’t get out of reserve grade - but is one of the best-paid outside backs in the sport. Picture: Getty

Parramatta’s Waqa Blake has been overlooked for NRL selection in recent weeks as he returns from injury, but is still among the game’s best-paid players. He’s earning $650,000 with the Panthers still subsidising some of his wage. Fellow NSW Cup player Kyle Flanagan will pocket $600,000 this year. Blake and Flanagan are also off-contract.

Josh Schuster’s $800,000 contract raised plenty of eyebrows. The Manly five-eighth has been rocks or diamonds for the Sea Eagles this year. Despite his expensive wage, he will be entrenched in the NRL’s rich list for years to come.

The Sea Eagles have made him a long-term deal offering him $2.5 million for three years after his current deal ends at the end of 2024.

The Tigers are also planning to offer Schuster a rich deal.

Nick Cotric $600,000 wage earns him a place as one of only two wingers in the Rich 100, alongside Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, however his 2023 deal is still being subsidised by Canterbury. His 2024 Raiders contract is expected to drop.

The NRL’s full-time salary cap increased 22 per cent to $11.45m this year, which has contributed to the sharp rise of salaries.

Originally published as 2023 NRL Rich 100: Bargain buys and blowout contracts, deals that make or break your club