Wests Tigers Deep Dive of the Week

Is there interest in doing a weekly "Deep Dive" to promote focussed discussion between games?

  • Yes, I would be happy develop a topic or two to get the ball rolling

    Votes: 5 23.8%

  • Yes, I would be happy to participate but not lead a topic

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • I am not likely to contribute; however, I would be interested in learning from the discussion

    Votes: 6 28.6%

  • Would prefer to watch paint dry

    Votes: 3 14.3%
  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .

Deep Dive 12: The Centre Crisis – How do we Get It Right in 2026​


Let’s be honest – if there’s one part of the field that’s consistently let us down over the past few seasons, it’s our centres. Defensive lapses, clunky combinations, and stop-gap solutions have made the edges a glaring weakness .... 2025? A little better but in reality more of the same story.

Between Toa's injuries, Naden’s rocks-and-diamonds performances and AD's inconsistent form we’ve never had a settled, effective pairing. It’s killing our momentum, exposing our wingers, and suffocating any flow in our attack.

The frustrating thing is that our finishers are pretty good and we’ve got a dynamic fullback. Our halves have also underperformed; however, with Galvin now gone we have settled on a halves combination. We have to expect that this combination will continue to develop over the remainder of this season and over the off season.

What's Going Wrong?​

  • Chop and change: We’ve had at least seven different centre combos this year alone. No continuity = no chemistry.
  • Edge defence in chaos: Misreads, poor communication with the wingers, and soft shoulders. Teams are targeting us wide every week and finding joy.
  • No attacking punch: Our centres are contributing little to nothing in terms of line breaks, offloads, or try involvements. Toa was going OK until he injured his shoulder and Taylan May has been a revelation since his arrival. An off season will see him better in 2026. Let’s Break It Down

If we Break it Down​

  • Starford To’a – Solid, versatile, and calm. He was doing well up until his injury. From then on his form dropped significantly. What we are unsure of is if this is the usual inconsistency or if the drop in form is completely related to his shoulder injury. His ppor injury rate and his incnsistency have him in and out of the position making it diffcult to build combinations. To’a will fight for a starting postion in 2026; however, he may also be vying for a postion on the wing.
  • Brent Naden – His pre season was excellent and then he was injured. He has moments of brilliance but is too erratic to trust in a key position. His reads in defence are a liability, and errors at crucial moments have cost us points. At best, he’s a bench utility option moving forward.
  • Adam Doueihi – Has brought structure when playing centre, but he lacks the agility and quick feet needed to handle agile edge attackers. Long-term, his best role, if he can build the resilience, is at 13—ball-playing, defending the middle, and covering as centre depth.
  • Taylan May – This is the big shift. He’s aggressive, powerful, and smart in defence. At Penrith and in his short term here, he’s shown he can defend both sides and create line breaks on the edge. He is a walk up into one of the centre positions round 1 in 2026.
  • Tony Makasini (Watch This Space) – A big body with line-breaking ability and some serious upside. If he has a strong offseason, don’t be surprised if he pushes hard for a spot in the 17. He could be the wildcard that shakes up the other edge. I would not be surprised to see him debut at Leichardt v the Cows.

What Needs to Happen in 2026​

  • Taylan May is the cornerstone centre. Lock him in and build defensive combinations around him. He brings stability we’ve been lacking for years.
  • Adam Doueihi to 13. Let him control the middle third and offer depth at centre if we need a reshuffle mid-game or during injuries.
  • Starford To’a. At present Toa is most likely to lock down the other centre position; however, he will be forced to fight hard for the position. In addition to Makasini there are a number of juniors starting to push for postions in KoE. His versatility and calmness under pressure are his greatest asset and his combination with Taruva is solid. The pressure from Makasini is a huge positive for the club.
  • Big Mak to challenge for the second centre spot. Put the pressure on during trials and let his form decide it. If he clicks, he could be the wrecking ball.
  • End the reshuffling. Barring injury, we need to stop the rotaion of our centre pairings. Define the roles, pick and stick. Let the combinations develop.

Final Thoughts​

We’ve patched up the spine. We’ve settled on our halves combiantion and there is some additional depth and punch in the pack. Still trusting Richo to deliver us another momentum changer. But, unless we fix the centres, we’ll keep leaking points and killing our outside attack.

2026 has to be the year we stop plugging holes and build real edges.

Agree? Disagree? Who’s your centre pairing for next year?
 
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Deep Dive 13. The Evolution of Wests Tigers’ Attack: From “Galvanised” to "Fainused"​

What’s changed — and why it matters​

  • Phase 1: New-look spine built around Jarome Luai (debut season as Tigers co-captain) and Galvin. Identity: left-edge heavy, high tempo, eyes-up shifts, but cohesion fluctuated as combinations bedded in. Galvin defects forcing a fast re-wire of the halves. The club navigated the turbulence and rebalanced roles. This turmoil resulted in a six game losing streak.
  • Phase 2: Adam Doueihi handles organising duties at #7 while Luai stays on-ball as the primary field-position driver. Attacking execution improved through July/August (e.g., tight win over Titans, statement wins over Roosters, Dogs & Sea Eagles). Latu continues to develop without the pressure of running the team.
  • Phase 3 (2026): Latu Fainu elevated from cameo to genuine halfback option, adding a direct running 7 threat. AD moves into ball paying 13 role to diversify how the Tigers generate momentum and finish sets.
Enablers: Luai’s leadership/tempo, Api Koroisau’s service, and the injection of strike outside backs Sunia Turuva, Taylan May and Jahream Bula broaden how the team can attack to create yardage with good-ball. Up front, Terrell May brings second-phase offloads that keep defences disorganised while Royce Hunt provides a change in momentum to get us on the front foot. KPP provides a running threat on the right edge to compliment Latu's ball playing skills.

Trendlines​

1) Luai’s “two-pass tempo” and left-edge orchestration​

Luai’s hallmark is getting the ball on the second pass — arriving square, tempo up, with layered decoys to stress the B- & C-defenders. This has shown up in recent wins as cleaner lane creation to the left, plus better kick-to-corner discipline late in sets. (He’s also a co-captain, so he’s dictating pace and end-of-set standards.). His ability to bring Sam F back agaisnt the grain is also develping and will become and an attacking weapon deep in the red zone.

2) The Fainu factor: vertical threat from first receiver​

Fainu brings a north–south carry at the line with quick feet that punish lazy inside shoulders. In the Roosters boilover he turned territory into points himself — evidence that the right-edge can now score without needing a full shape. That will change how teams load up against his edge.

3) Set-end polish via multiple kick profiles​

With Luai and Fainu both capable of short-kicks (repeat sets) and cross-kicks (to power wingers like Skelton/Turuva), we can pick on matchup edges instead of defaulting to the “bomb and bash” finish. AD at 13 provides a longer boot to gain yardage when coming from deep in our end and provides a floating bomb option.

4) Second-phase acceleration​

Terrell May’s offloads are a platform for post-contact plays that suit Luai’s broken-field instincts. Expect this to be a late-season identity piece: ruck contact → fast tip-on/offload → Luai arriving off Api’s hip. This will evolve in 2026.

5) Back-three yardage and early shifts​

With Turuva and Skelton on board, plus Bula in the mix, set starts have more punch. This allows Luai to call early-tackle shifts to get himself or AD/Fainu into space before the line is set.

How is this likely to develop?​

AD will transition to a ball playing 13 to provide width for both Luai and Fianu to run. He will become an integral component of the attacking structure as a first receiver. He will also become a third kick option. With Luai and Fianu as Left and Right side leads the following shapes (based on player strengths) are likely to develop.

Strike Left​

  • Shape: Api → middle forward (AD) → Luai as 2nd receiver; backrower leads under, centre holds width, winger stays on touch.
  • Trigger: Luai pauses to freeze the C-defender, then hits the under line (vs sliding Ds) or the face-ball to centre (vs compressed edges).
  • Mirrors the patterns Luai ran at Penrith; perfect for a strike left with Taylan May/Turuva combinations.
Strike Right
  • Shape: Api → middle forward (AD) → Fianu as 2nd receiver; backrower runs X/Y line, centre holds width, winger stays on touch.
  • Trigger: Fianu engages the C-defender, hits the inside/outlside line if the defence follows him or shows and goes/skips to the centre.
  • Causes the oppostion to make edge decisions that affect defensive cohesion. Allows Fianu to play eyes up within structure.

Short Strike Right​

  • Shape: From ruck near right tram, Api dummies open then jumps short-side to Fainu. Lead runner hits near-shoulder; Fainu shows & goes if A-defender peeks.
  • Trigger: Terrell May post-contact carry to catch tired markers.
  • Option: If jam arrives, Fainu dribbles a behind-backrow grubber into the in-goal for repeat sets.

Centre Corridor Red Zone​

  • Shape: Api engages the line on tackle 3–4 with a forward on his hip and Luai out the back. If middle compresses, Api hits the lead; if they hold, pop to Luai for width.
  • Trigger: Opposition defensive read
  • Outcome: Split Defence

Centre Corridor Middle​

  • Shape: On tackle 2 in yardage, get two passes wide to let Turuva/Bula square up a retreating line, then bounce back to the middle for a quick-play-the-ball.
  • Trigger: Retreating defence (quick PTB)
  • Outcome: Split defence to creates the ruck speed Luai thrives on for tackle 4 shapes.

Kick Options​

  • Shape: Luai: field position, left-edge conductor, last-tackle choice maker. Fainu: right-edge strike & short-side raids; alternate last-tackle when the ruck is won on the right 20–25m. AD: behind the ruck as middle chase and alternate kick option. Takes the dominant field postion for deep kick/flocating bomb options.
  • Api: 40/20 and early set options from the ruck. Provides a "pick your moments" run option when markers split early for defend the kick options. Co-captaincy platform supports this hierarchy.

Example Sets​

  1. On good positon kick receipt (Centre Corridor Middle): Early 2-pass to Turuva/Bula → punch middle twice → Luai ends with a high kick to left corner.
  2. With good-ball (Right Strike): Quick ruck via Terrell May → Api jumps short-side to Fainu → show & go / right-edge grubber.
  3. Repeat set: Middle hit-up to create short right, then Left Strike with Luai holding C-defender; finish with ground-kick, not air, to force another dropout.

KPIs​

  • Repeat sets forced (Luai/Fainu short-kicks).
  • Left-edge conversion rate in the red zone (line-breaks → tries).
  • Right-edge try involvement for Fainu (tries + try assists) to keep defences honest.
  • Post-contact metres & offloads from Terrell May/KPP/Sam F (second-phase triggers).
  • End-of-set errors and kick-chase effectiveness (field position loop).

Bottom line​

The Tigers’ attack has moved from promising but volatile (Luai + Galvin learning) to coherent and stable with AD providing a runing threat at half back. The future lies in AD continuing to provide a running threat at 13 with differing dual-threat options to take advantage of our left and right side strengths (Luai’s orchestration + Fainu’s directness). With a few targeted embellishments; e.g. short right strike or double-sweep left shapes, Wests can keep stacking repeat pressure and convert territory into points. Recent results suggest we're on that trajectory, but are still disorganised deep in the red zone. While it is late in the season, as far as our halves combination goes we are in our infancy. Our cohesion, and ability to play ad lib footy, will develop given an enabling structure and time.

This is where I see it heading. Where do you see in going in 2026?
 
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Jolls said:

Deep Dive 13. The Evolution of Wests Tigers’ Attack: From “Galvanised” to "Fainused"​

What’s changed — and why it matters​

  • Phase 1: New-look spine built around Jarome Luai (debut season as Tigers co-captain) and Galvin. Identity: left-edge heavy, high tempo, eyes-up shifts, but cohesion fluctuated as combinations bedded in. Galvin defects forcing a fast re-wire of the halves. The club navigated the turbulence and rebalanced roles. This turmoil resulted in a six game losing streak.
  • Phase 2: Adam Doueihi handles organising duties at #7 while Luai stays on-ball as the primary field-position driver. Attacking execution improved through July/August (e.g., tight win over Titans, statement wins over Roosters, Dogs & Sea Eagles). Latu continues to develop without the pressure of running the team.
  • Phase 3 (2026): Latu Fainu elevated from cameo to genuine halfback option, adding a direct running 7 threat. AD moves into ball paying 13 role to diversify how the Tigers generate momentum and finish sets.
Enablers: Luai’s leadership/tempo, Api Koroisau’s service, and the injection of strike outside backs Sunia Turuva, Taylan May and Jahream Bula broaden how the team can attack to create yardage with good-ball. Up front, Terrell May brings second-phase offloads that keep defences disorganised while Royce Hunt provides a change in momentum to get us on the front foot. KPP provides a running threat on the right edge to compliment Latu's ball playing skills.

Trendlines​

1) Luai’s “two-pass tempo” and left-edge orchestration​

Luai’s hallmark is getting the ball on the second pass — arriving square, tempo up, with layered decoys to stress the B- & C-defenders. This has shown up in recent wins as cleaner lane creation to the left, plus better kick-to-corner discipline late in sets. (He’s also a co-captain, so he’s dictating pace and end-of-set standards.). His ability to bring Sam F back agaisnt the grain is also develping and will become and an attacking weapon deep in the red zone.

2) The Fainu factor: vertical threat from first receiver​

Fainu brings a north–south carry at the line with quick feet that punish lazy inside shoulders. In the Roosters boilover he turned territory into points himself — evidence that the right-edge can now score without needing a full shape. That will change how teams load up against his edge.

3) Set-end polish via multiple kick profiles​

With Luai and Fainu both capable of short-kicks (repeat sets) and cross-kicks (to power wingers like Skelton/Turuva), we can pick on matchup edges instead of defaulting to the “bomb and bash” finish. AD at 13 provides a longer boot to gain yardage when coming from deep in our end and provides a floating bomb option.

4) Second-phase acceleration​

Terrell May’s offloads are a platform for post-contact plays that suit Luai’s broken-field instincts. Expect this to be a late-season identity piece: ruck contact → fast tip-on/offload → Luai arriving off Api’s hip. This will evolve in 2026.

5) Back-three yardage and early shifts​

With Turuva and Skelton on board, plus Bula in the mix, set starts have more punch. This allows Luai to call early-tackle shifts to get himself or AD/Fainu into space before the line is set.

How is this likely to develop?​

AD will transition to a ball playing 13 to provide width for both Luai and Fianu to run. He will become an integral component of the attacking structure as a first receiver. He will also become a third kick option. With Luai and Fianu as Left and Right side leads the following shapes (based on player strengths) are likely to develop.

Strike Left​

  • Shape: Api → middle forward (AD) → Luai as 2nd receiver; backrower leads under, centre holds width, winger stays on touch.
  • Trigger: Luai pauses to freeze the C-defender, then hits the under line (vs sliding Ds) or the face-ball to centre (vs compressed edges).
  • Mirrors the patterns Luai ran at Penrith; perfect for a strike left with Taylan May/Turuva combinations.
Strike Right
  • Shape: Api → middle forward (AD) → Fianu as 2nd receiver; backrower runs X/Y line, centre holds width, winger stays on touch.
  • Trigger: Fianu engages the C-defender, hits the inside/outlside line if the defence follows him or shows and goes/skips to the centre.
  • Causes the oppostion to make edge decisions that affect defensive cohesion. Allows Fianu to play eyes up within structure.

Short Strike Right​

  • Shape: From ruck near right tram, Api dummies open then jumps short-side to Fainu. Lead runner hits near-shoulder; Fainu shows & goes if A-defender peeks.
  • Trigger: Terrell May post-contact carry to catch tired markers.
  • Option: If jam arrives, Fainu dribbles a behind-backrow grubber into the in-goal for repeat sets.

Centre Corridor Red Zone​

  • Shape: Api engages the line on tackle 3–4 with a forward on his hip and Luai out the back. If middle compresses, Api hits the lead; if they hold, pop to Luai for width.
  • Trigger: Opposition defensive read
  • Outcome: Split Defence

Centre Corridor Middle​

  • Shape: On tackle 2 in yardage, get two passes wide to let Turuva/Bula square up a retreating line, then bounce back to the middle for a quick-play-the-ball.
  • Trigger: Retreating defence (quick PTB)
  • Outcome: Split defence to creates the ruck speed Luai thrives on for tackle 4 shapes.

Kick Options​

  • Shape: Luai: field position, left-edge conductor, last-tackle choice maker. Fainu: right-edge strike & short-side raids; alternate last-tackle when the ruck is won on the right 20–25m. AD: behind the ruck as middle chase and alternate kick option. Takes the dominant field postion for deep kick/flocating bomb options.
  • Api: 40/20 and early set options from the ruck. Provides a "pick your moments" run option when markers split early for defend the kick options. Co-captaincy platform supports this hierarchy.

Example Sets​

  1. On good positon kick receipt (Centre Corridor Middle): Early 2-pass to Turuva/Bula → punch middle twice → Luai ends with a high kick to left corner.
  2. With good-ball (Right Strike): Quick ruck via Terrell May → Api jumps short-side to Fainu → show & go / right-edge grubber.
  3. Repeat set: Middle hit-up to create short right, then Left Strike with Luai holding C-defender; finish with ground-kick, not air, to force another dropout.

KPIs​

  • Repeat sets forced (Luai/Fainu short-kicks).
  • Left-edge conversion rate in the red zone (line-breaks → tries).
  • Right-edge try involvement for Fainu (tries + try assists) to keep defences honest.
  • Post-contact metres & offloads from Terrell May/KPP/Sam F (second-phase triggers).
  • End-of-set errors and kick-chase effectiveness (field position loop).

Bottom line​

The Tigers’ attack has moved from promising but volatile (Luai + Galvin learning) to coherent and stable with AD providing a runing threat at half back. The future lies in AD continuing to provide a running threat at 13 with differing dual-threat options to take advantage of our left and right side strengths (Luai’s orchestration + Fainu’s directness). With a few targeted embellishments; e.g. short right strike or double-sweep left shapes, Wests can keep stacking repeat pressure and convert territory into points. Recent results suggest we're on that trajectory, but are still disorganised deep in the red zone. While it is late in the season, as far as our halves combination goes we are in our infancy. Our cohesion, and ability to play ad lib footy, will develop given an enabling structure and time.

This is where I see it heading. Where do you see in going in 2026?
Click to expand...
if we have a Great pre season , we could bust loose
 
Merlot said:
A run down on how the different level contracts ,why what 4 run that way? Would be a interesting
Click to expand...
It's raining here in Murrumbateman and we're supposed to be building a shed. As a way of putting off jumping into doing some work on BAS I jumped in and had a dig around to scratch Merlot's itch in relation to contracting. The most notable point is that Development Contracts (a term thrown around here often) don't exist. They were upgraded to a supplementaty list in 2023.

Deep Dive 14: Types of Contracts in the NRL/NRLW and the associated pathways

Disclaimer: The Contracting and Salary Cap forms part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the RLPA and the NRL. The details of the CBA are not publicly available so the detail below is what I have been able to find open source. I have tried to stay away from second and third hand reporting and dig into the base data - which is primarlily from the NRL website. References are provided at the end of the Deep Dive.

NRL (Men’s) Contract Types, Caps & Minimums
  • Top 30: Each club must name 24 players by 1 November, 28 by Round 1 (Monday), and the full 30 by 30 June.
  • Supplementary List: Replaced the old Development List in 2023. Players on this list are on minimum $80k salaries
    • When announced, the list was set at 4–6 players, with a $650k budget and $3k per NRL appearance.
    • Supplementary players are eligible to play NRL from Round 1 under the current CBA.
  • Train-and-Trial: Short-term, pre-season deals. Not guaranteed NRL game time; clubs must upgrade players into Supplementary or Top 30 to use them long-term. Can’t be used prior to round 11 unless upgraded.
  • Second-Tier / Supplementary Contracts: This appears to be outside of the NRL/RPLA CBA> Players contracted primarily to feeder clubs in NSW Cup or QLD Cup. This is paid outside the NRL salary cap, but may get match payments if called up. They can play NRL if promoted due to injuries, exemptions, or roster vacancies.
2025 Money & Allowances
  • Top 30 Cap (Base): $11.4m (rising to $11.55m in 2026 and $11.7 in 2027)
  • Minimum Top 30 Salary: $135k in 2025, rising to $145k by 2027
  • Supplementary List Minimum: $80k per player
  • Allowances (outside the base cap):
    • Veteran & Developed Player Allowance: $300k in 2025 (remains the same until 2027).
    • Motor Vehicle Allowance: $100k in 2025.
      • Note: As part of the 2023–2027 CBA, clubs receive a $100,000 motor vehicle allowance outside of the salary cap (i.e., separate from the base Top-30 cap). This allowance permits clubs to provide up to five motor vehicles, with each valued at $20,000. Therefore, a club can allocate up to five players, each receiving a motor vehicle package worth up to $20,000, or could allocate one player the entire $100,000 and any iteration in between without it impacting the salary cap.
    • Tertiary education fees, approved traineeships, relocation and temporary accommodation costs are not included in the cap but must be approved.
NRLW (Women’s) Contract Types, Caps & Minimums
  • Top Squad: 24 players per club.
  • Development Players: 4 additional funded slots.
  • Train-and-Trial Contracts: Short-term pre-season contracts that are not guaranteed a place in the 24-player squad.
  • Supplementary Players: Depth players who can be called up if injuries occur. Paid a base fee or per-game match payments.
  • Short-Term Injury Replacement Contracts: Introduced due to smaller NRLW squads to allow clubs to sign players temporarily to cover injuries.
2025 Money
  • Club Cap: $1,254,000 in 2025.
  • Minimum NRLW Salary: $41,800 in 2025
How the Levels Work in Practice

NRL
  • Top 30: Fully salaried, must hit roster checkpoints by Nov 1 / Rd-1 / Jun 30. All Top 30 players are eligible to play NRL.
  • Supplementary List: Entry point for young players or fringe talent. Eligible from Round 1, unlike the old Development deals (which only allowed debuts after Round 11).
  • Train-and-Trial: Pre-season proving ground. Successful players are upgraded into Supplementary or Top 30.
Contract Inclusions (typical)
  • Base playing fee + match payments, appearance bonuses, win/finals bonuses
  • Education, relocation, medical and wellbeing supports
  • Third Party Agreements (TPAs): Allowed if genuine and disclosed; not guaranteed by clubs.
NRLW
  • Top Squad: Core 24 players under the cap.
  • Development: Feed into the Top Squad, training fully with the main group.
  • Since 2023, multi-year deals are permitted, providing more stability and clear progression.
Pathway Example

NRL:
Junior Pathways → NSW/QLD Cup → Train-and-Trial → Supplementary List (on $80k+) → Upgrade into Top 30 ($135k+ minimum).
  • Exceptional juniors may skip straight to Top 30.
  • Supplementary List players can debut from Round 1, which accelerates development.
NRLW:
State-based comps → NRLW Development (4 slots) → Upgrade into 24-player Top Squad (minimum $41,800).
  • Development deals used to lock in young stars early.
Summary
  • NRL 2025: Top-30 cap $11.4m, minimum salary $135k, Supplementary List $80k minimum (4–6 players, $650k total), with VDP ($300k) and Motor Vehicle ($100k) allowances outside the base cap.
  • NRLW 2025: Cap $1.254m, minimum salary $41,800, 24-player Top Squad plus 4 development slots.
References:
 
So, the richer clubs can load up on Juniors, by poaching them for more $$ as there is no cap in place for second tier. Can't help but think that there could be some pumping up of $$ for kids that really show promise or are in demand and this is paid back by staying loyal and accepting less when they get into top 30.....im looking at Rorters, Broncos, Storm and more recently the dogs here.
 
TheEnz said:
So, the richer clubs can load up on Juniors, by poaching them for more $$ as there is no cap in place for second tier. Can't help but think that there could be some pumping up of $$ for kids that really show promise or are in demand and this is paid back by staying loyal and accepting less when they get into top 30.....im looking at Rorters, Broncos, Storm and more recently the dogs here.
Click to expand...
While I think that is part of it the bigger issue is what is on offer outside of the Cap. And to be able to offer beteer outside of the cap support you need to get to the top of the pile, or at least be entrenched neaar the top.

Clubs are required to spend at least 97.5% of the Salary Cap and the majority of clubs spend the Salary Cap but as we are well aware not every club is successful. Someone comes last and someone has to win, regardless of what they spend.

There are plenty of factors outside of the cap that make up the overall package. The "intangibles" that come with signing with a club:
  • Family First
  • Staying close to the player's home town and family.
  • The chance to work with one of the top coaches in the game.
  • Potential to win a permiership,
  • Increased opportunity to play NRL with a club due to a lack of competition in a preferred positon.
  • Increased profile a player in a one-team town.
  • The number of support staff, their expertise and the support facilities.
  • Education and welfare support structures.
  • Likelihood of attracting TPAs
It really as braking into this market that has the most attraction. Sure you can buy in some good depth but unless they can get a sniff at the big coin they will jump at better opportunities. Our problem is getting from the bottom to the top and having HBG invest in the support staff to bring us up to at least a level playing feild with the other 16 clubs.
 
Jolls said:
While I think that is part of it the bigger issue is what is on offer outside of the Cap. And to be able to offer beteer outside of the cap support you need to get to the top of the pile, or at least be entrenched neaar the top.

Clubs are required to spend at least 97.5% of the Salary Cap and the majority of clubs spend the Salary Cap but as we are well aware not every club is successful. Someone comes last and someone has to win, regardless of what they spend.

There are plenty of factors outside of the cap that make up the overall package. The "intangibles" that come with signing with a club:
  • Family First
  • Staying close to the player's home town and family.
  • The chance to work with one of the top coaches in the game.
  • Potential to win a permiership,
  • Increased opportunity to play NRL with a club due to a lack of competition in a preferred positon.
  • Increased profile a player in a one-team town.
  • The number of support staff, their expertise and the support facilities.
  • Education and welfare support structures.
  • Likelihood of attracting TPAs
It really as braking into this market that has the most attraction. Sure you can buy in some good depth but unless they can get a sniff at the big coin they will jump at better opportunities. Our problem is getting from the bottom to the top and having HBG invest in the support staff to bring us up to at least a level playing feild with the other 16 clubs.
Click to expand...
The issue isn’t new kids coming in , it’s guys like Reuben Porter level 27 year old career reserve graders (probably a notch above Reuben tbh) signing for say 40k-50k , working in the leagues club for 50-60k, and then being able to be upgraded to a supplementary contract of 80k, plus the 3k match payments .
I think Taukeiaho and lodge , pretty much started the year like this .
I mean to be fair not many teams view the KOE as anything other than a development grade, even the roosters when you look at their KOE roster it’s extremely young .
I mean I wouldn’t be surprised if we have done something similar with the injection of guys like Thompson , Hope, Murray etc this year . Most would have come for an opportunity , and aside from say Rahme , and maybe the big unit Lebanese edge player , have been given the opportunity. Which kind of ties into what you’re saying @Jolls .
If you’re 23-25 years old , you’d be crazy not to stick around in the lower grades for the next few years . As there’s a real chance you could be top 30 somewhere , as 60 extra top 30 positions open up and a further 12 supplementary .
Worth splitting your wage between Bunnings and 40k KOE contract .
Tbf someone like Charlie Murray would Benefit from a supplementary contract part time , and continuing at least part time as a financial advisor . He might be leaving a 100k on the table by taking a full time minimum wage nrl contract .
 
Jolls said:
It's raining here in Murrumbateman and we're supposed to be building a shed. As a way of putting off jumping into doing some work on BAS I jumped in and had a dig around to scratch Merlot's itch in relation to contracting. The most notable point is that Development Contracts (a term thrown around here often) don't exist. They were upgraded to a supplementaty list in 2023.

Deep Dive 14: Types of Contracts in the NRL/NRLW and the associated pathways

Disclaimer: The Contracting and Salary Cap forms part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the RLPA and the NRL. The details of the CBA are not publicly available so the detail below is what I have been able to find open source. I have tried to stay away from second and third hand reporting and dig into the base data - which is primarlily from the NRL website. References are provided at the end of the Deep Dive.

NRL (Men’s) Contract Types, Caps & Minimums
  • Top 30: Each club must name 24 players by 1 November, 28 by Round 1 (Monday), and the full 30 by 30 June.
  • Supplementary List: Replaced the old Development List in 2023. Players on this list are on minimum $80k salaries
    • When announced, the list was set at 4–6 players, with a $650k budget and $3k per NRL appearance.
    • Supplementary players are eligible to play NRL from Round 1 under the current CBA.
  • Train-and-Trial: Short-term, pre-season deals. Not guaranteed NRL game time; clubs must upgrade players into Supplementary or Top 30 to use them long-term. Can’t be used prior to round 11 unless upgraded.
  • Second-Tier / Supplementary Contracts: This appears to be outside of the NRL/RPLA CBA> Players contracted primarily to feeder clubs in NSW Cup or QLD Cup. This is paid outside the NRL salary cap, but may get match payments if called up. They can play NRL if promoted due to injuries, exemptions, or roster vacancies.
2025 Money & Allowances
  • Top 30 Cap (Base): $11.4m (rising to $11.55m in 2026 and $11.7 in 2027)
  • Minimum Top 30 Salary: $135k in 2025, rising to $145k by 2027
  • Supplementary List Minimum: $80k per player
  • Allowances (outside the base cap):
    • Veteran & Developed Player Allowance: $300k in 2025 (remains the same until 2027).
    • Motor Vehicle Allowance: $100k in 2025.
      • Note: As part of the 2023–2027 CBA, clubs receive a $100,000 motor vehicle allowance outside of the salary cap (i.e., separate from the base Top-30 cap). This allowance permits clubs to provide up to five motor vehicles, with each valued at $20,000. Therefore, a club can allocate up to five players, each receiving a motor vehicle package worth up to $20,000, or could allocate one player the entire $100,000 and any iteration in between without it impacting the salary cap.
    • Tertiary education fees, approved traineeships, relocation and temporary accommodation costs are not included in the cap but must be approved.
NRLW (Women’s) Contract Types, Caps & Minimums
  • Top Squad: 24 players per club.
  • Development Players: 4 additional funded slots.
  • Train-and-Trial Contracts: Short-term pre-season contracts that are not guaranteed a place in the 24-player squad.
  • Supplementary Players: Depth players who can be called up if injuries occur. Paid a base fee or per-game match payments.
  • Short-Term Injury Replacement Contracts: Introduced due to smaller NRLW squads to allow clubs to sign players temporarily to cover injuries.
2025 Money
  • Club Cap: $1,254,000 in 2025.
  • Minimum NRLW Salary: $41,800 in 2025
How the Levels Work in Practice

NRL
  • Top 30: Fully salaried, must hit roster checkpoints by Nov 1 / Rd-1 / Jun 30. All Top 30 players are eligible to play NRL.
  • Supplementary List: Entry point for young players or fringe talent. Eligible from Round 1, unlike the old Development deals (which only allowed debuts after Round 11).
  • Train-and-Trial: Pre-season proving ground. Successful players are upgraded into Supplementary or Top 30.
Contract Inclusions (typical)
  • Base playing fee + match payments, appearance bonuses, win/finals bonuses
  • Education, relocation, medical and wellbeing supports
  • Third Party Agreements (TPAs): Allowed if genuine and disclosed; not guaranteed by clubs.
NRLW
  • Top Squad: Core 24 players under the cap.
  • Development: Feed into the Top Squad, training fully with the main group.
  • Since 2023, multi-year deals are permitted, providing more stability and clear progression.
Pathway Example

NRL:
Junior Pathways → NSW/QLD Cup → Train-and-Trial → Supplementary List (on $80k+) → Upgrade into Top 30 ($135k+ minimum).
  • Exceptional juniors may skip straight to Top 30.
  • Supplementary List players can debut from Round 1, which accelerates development.
NRLW:
State-based comps → NRLW Development (4 slots) → Upgrade into 24-player Top Squad (minimum $41,800).
  • Development deals used to lock in young stars early.
Summary
  • NRL 2025: Top-30 cap $11.4m, minimum salary $135k, Supplementary List $80k minimum (4–6 players, $650k total), with VDP ($300k) and Motor Vehicle ($100k) allowances outside the base cap.
  • NRLW 2025: Cap $1.254m, minimum salary $41,800, 24-player Top Squad plus 4 development slots.
References:
Click to expand...
Thank you Sir
 
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