There's nothing more disappointing in rugby league than knowing your club is paying a player far too much than they deserve, wasting salary cap space.
While some clubs are extracting maximum value from every dollar spent, others are stuck carrying contracts that look increasingly difficult to justify on output alone.
Often, it is big-money signings who quickly shift from statement acquisitions to long-term burdens, but sometimes it can be well-intentioned extensions turned sour when form doesn't hold.
Regardless of the situation, several players in the NRL are on contracts that no longer reflect their value, and not in a good way.
It should be noted that by no means are any players on this list inherently bad, they just aren't worth what their contract suggests.
So, let's look at the worst value-for-money contracts in the NRL, considering only contracts with a definitive reported figure on Zero Tackle's website.
8. Clinton Gutherson
Unfortunately for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Clinton Gutherson regressed significantly faster than expected.
Signed on a three-year deal worth $800,000 a season commencing in 2025, Gutherson's competitive spirit hasn't wavered in the slightest, but the 31-year-old is getting slower by the game, with teams constantly exploiting his lack of speed when defending line breaks.
He only has just one try and two try assists in seven appearances too, highlighting that Gutherson is offering very little for the Dragons in attack and defence.
His limited impact has been recognised by the Dragons too, who have signed Scott Drinkwater from 2027 onwards to be the club's new fullback.
So not only are the Dragons currently paying $800,000 for a fullback who struggles with the current speed of the game, they'll be paying $800,000 for a player who will most likely not even be in the starting 13 next season.
Effectively, it's $800,000 of cap space that could be used to strengthen the squad elsewhere.
Good selection.
Club boards – if they had any sense – would tell coaches and recruitment staff they they will NOT approve any deal longer than FOUR years, and, in fact, any deal over three years needs special approval.
The downside of a form/fitness fall-off from a long-term contracted player is significantly greater than the upside that would result from him staying fit and keeping his form.
There are lots of players who have looked like million-dollar men when they were young kids, but who have become embarrassments to the clubs and despairs to their fans. Statistically, they may stay good for a few years, but – as in your list – most of them are down to NSW Cup quality well before the end of their deals.
If the Dragons had any spine, they would tell Val and Clint to expect to be playing in the reggies next year, and given them the option of leaving early with St George offering 75% of their current salary to ant NRL or Super League club that will take them. Better to burn MOST of their salaries for no return, than to burn ALL of it for next-to-no return.