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.
3. Nicho Hynes
Nicho Hynes cops a lot of flack in the media, sometimes unfairly so, but the fact of the matter is, he is not worth $1 million a season.
Hynes is a great player, and often the best on the park, evidently so, winning the 2022 Dally M medal.
His struggles against top opposition is what separates him from the calibre of players worth $1 million, though.
Too often has Hynes ghosted in games against top eight teams, especially in the finals.
He was nowhere to be seen in the Cronulla Sharks' preliminary final loss to the Melbourne Storm.
The year before, a non-threat in the Sharks' preliminary final loss to the Penrith Panthers.
Furthermore, as the marquee half, his primary job is to create, but unfortunately he isn't even the best creator on the team, with Braydon Trindall often leading the side in try assists.
There is no lack of effort from Hynes and he gives his all each week, but unfortunately, his all isn't worth the money the Sharks are paying him.
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.