The SEVEN current best value for money contracts in the NRL

The beauty of the salary cap is that it is supposed to level the playing field for all NRL teams.

There is enough space for stars, but not multiple, meaning rosters need to be carefully crafted so teams can field competitive seventeen players, and this is where the well-run clubs stand out.

They can secure talent for less than they are worth.

Whether it is due to talent coming through their nursery, veterans on cut-price deals or just getting lucky with late-bloomers, the best clubs in the NRL have a host of players on deals worth less than their true value.

So, let’s look at the best current value-for-money contracts in the NRL, but with the following caveats.

1. Contracts where previous clubs are contributing a portion of the player’s salary, such as David Fifita, will not be included.

2. Only contracts with a definitive reported figure on Zero Tackle’s website will be considered.

William Kennedy

One of the most value-for-money contracts in the NRL, William Kennedy is on an astonishingly low $350,000 a season.

One could argue it loses value due to it only being a one-year deal, but there is no denying Kennedy would stand to earn quite a bit more at other NRL clubs.

He has four tries and five try assists in seven games, and while he isn’t considered one of the best fullbacks in the league, Kennedy is an extremely solid and reliable option at the back for the Cronulla Sharks.

Statistically, he is outperforming many other fullbacks who are earning significantly more than him.

Whether he will continue to earn $350,000 in 2027 remains to be seen, but as of right now, the 28-year-old is without a doubt on one of the best contracts in the NRL.

Jamie Humphreys

It’s hard to believe that Jamie Humphreys is earning only $150,000 a year.

An unexpected standout in an otherwise disappointing 2025 season for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Humphreys’ form has continued into this season.

Understandably, when he arrived at Souths from the Manly Sea Eagles, he only had one first grade appearance under his belt and the Rabbitohs had just signed Lewis Dodd.

The value of the contract prior to his first few games at Souths was certainly reasonable, but now he has to be considered as arguably the most underpaid player in the league.

The 24-year-old is off-contract at the end of this year, and it is expected he will command three times his current contract at the very least.

Moses Leota

Arguably the second best prop in rugby league, Moses Leota could command $1 million at any club in the NRL, but right now, he is on a deal worth only $675,000.

Leota came through the Penrith Panthers’ pathway system, making his debut in 2016 and remained a one-club player.

Contracted until the end of the 2027 season, Leota wants to remain a Panther for life, so it isn’t expected he will ask for more money once his contract expires.

His last contract renewal was in 2023, and since then, his value has continued to skyrocket, meaning his current contract at the Panthers has also increased regarding its value for money.

To put it into perspective, Addin Fonua-Blake is earning $1 million a season at the Sharks, Keaon Koloamatangi will earn the same amount at the Dragons next season and James Fisher-Harris is earning $950,000 a year at the Warriors.

Leota is better and more impactful than each of those names but is earning roughly $300,000 less.

Now that’s value for money.

Tyran Wishart

The definition of versatile, Tyran Wishart has made a habit of being the Melbourne Storm’s yes-man, constantly filling in where needed.

Since arriving at the Storm in 2022, Wishart has truly cemented himself as the club’s most reliable utility, featuring in nearly every game in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

His last contract extension was in 2023, where he re-signed until the end of 2026 for a mere $345,000 a season.

He is set for a major pay rise when he joins the Perth Bears next year, but for now, Wishart is currently on, and has been for the last three years, one of the best value-for-money contracts in the NRL.

While some may argue that the 26-year-old’s impacts on the field are not game-changing and he is only worth the cheaper contract, his reliability for Melbourne has been invaluable.

Kai Pearce-Paul

Not only has Kai Pearce-Paul been the signing of the season so far, he also is on one of the most undervalued contracts in the NRL.

While the $500,000 a season contract was relatively justified seeing as ‘KPP’ had only been in the NRL for two seasons, it can now confidently be considered a very undervalued contract, especially considering it is a three-year deal, lasting until the end of the 2028 season.

In seven appearances this season, Pearce-Paul has 13 offloads, is averaging 89 metres and defending with a near 95 per cent tackle efficiency score.

His impact goes beyond the stat sheet though, bringing a level of intensity in the forward pack the Wests Tigers have needed for years, an intensity they would happily pay more than $500,000 a season for too.

Jamal Fogarty

To sign a premier halfback in today’s game, it is generally on a deal somewhere around $1 million a season, not if your name is Jamal Fogarty though.

During a career-best year for the Canberra Raiders which included 23 try assists, leading the club to the minor premiership, the club sensationally decided against re-signing him.

So, he was picked up by the Manly Sea Eagles on a deal worth a mere $675,000 a season.

To put it into comparison, no halfback had more try assists than Fogarty last season.

While there are certainly more factors that dictate contracts than just try assists, the fact Fogarty is on such a cut-price deal it’s almost baffling that the Sea Eagles were the only team after his signature.

Sure, he is no spring chicken at 32-years-old, and by the time his contract ends he will be 34, but considering his output for Manly this season, Fogarty is showing no signs of slowing down.

Isaiya Katoa

On the topic of halves on cheap deals, let’s turn our attention to Isaiya Katoa.

Reportedly earning $650,000 a year, Katoa’s contract lasts until the end of the 2028 season.

Since signing his most recent extension in 2024, Katoa’s true market value has continued to skyrocket and he could easily command over $1 million at nearly any NRL club.

Incredibly still only 22-years-old, Katoa’s value doesn’t just lie in his exceptional talent, but has tremendous potential on account of his age.

Considering he is one of the best halves in the game already and still has two years left on his cut-price deal, he could very well be the game’s best player while being paid $650,000 a year.

The SEVEN current best value for money contracts in the NRL

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