Big hole for them to fill. When fit, especially 2023, was as important to them as Yeo is to Panthers. Will be interesting to see who they go after to fill his spot at 13.
Special investigation: The hidden contract clauses, options for every NRL player
From emerging NRL stars through to the biggest names in the game - MICHAEL CARAYANNIS reveals more than 50 players across multiple NRL clubs have hidden contract clauses which could rock the player market. How does it affect your team?
The hidden NRL contract clauses.
More than 50 players across 14 NRL clubs have hidden contract clauses which could rock the player market.
From emerging NRL stars through to the biggest names in the game, players at 14 of the 17 NRL teams could become available as early as this year as clubs navigate the balancing act between contract clauses and keeping rosters flexible.
Penrith is just one of three clubs who do not have an option in any of their playing contracts, with Canterbury and the Roosters the other clubs.
The Panthers decided during their historic premiership four-peat to not allow any player or mutual options in their deals.
“At a point in time there was a robust discussion where the board endorsed a recommendation that the football department could not insert a mutual or player option into a contract,” Panthers rugby league boss Matt Cameron said.
The Panthers will allow for club options, which leaves the decision on a players’ future up to the club.
Contract options work in all weird and wonderful ways.
Some are simply up to the player if they want to remain at a club for another season.
Others are more complex and include triggers that players have to meet to ensure they get a new deal.
Some are mutual options which indicates a club can take up a player at a certain amount while a player could also extend his stay on a different amount. Some clubs have not even announced the options.
The Eels (seven) have the most of any club, while Melbourne and Canberra (six each) are next.
The Eels have the most players with contract options in the NRL.
Sunday Sesh can also reveal that:
• Justin Olam had a get-out clause for 2026 if PNG were fast-tracked into the competition. He is now contracted to the Tigers for next year. Teammate Jarome Luai is committed to the Tigers for two years but can get out at the end of 2026.
• Ryan Matterson has already informed Parramatta that he will take up the final year of his contract for 2026. The Eels control Josh Addo-Carr’s future with the club needing to tell him by June if they want to retain him next year. Dylan Brown has two get-out clauses in his contract which expires at the end of 2031. He needs to tell the club if he wants to stay in 2026 and 2027 by round 10. The Eels remain locked in talks about extending Mitchell Moses’ contract and taking out his clauses in his deal.
• The Knights have until June 30 to work out the futures of veterans Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell.
• Jaydn Su’A’s contract extension was announced as a two-year deal starting from this year. He does however have an option in his favour to remain at the Dragons in 2027. Jacob Liddle has a mutual option which means the Dragons can take it up at a certain amount and if they do not he can take it up at a lesser amount a week later.
• Su’A is not alone when it comes to secret options. Ex-Wallaby turned Titan Carter Gordon has a mutual option on his services for next year, as does new Warriors recruit Tannah Boyd. The Titans announced Klese Haas had signed a three-year contract but the final season is an option in his favour.
• A host of Boyd’s Warriors teammates have mutual options including Chanel Harris-Tavita (for 2026) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2027). Tohu Harris also had an option in his contract announced his retirement on Thursday.
• The Raiders have until round six to let halfback Jamal Fogarty know if they want him for 2026. If they elect not to take up the 12-month extension, Fogarty can still remain at the club for a significantly less deal and he has until round 20 to let the Raiders know.
• Raiders centre Matt Timoko has an option in the final two years of his deal for 2027 and 2028. The Raiders will have until round 16 next year to take up the deal for 2027 and Timoko can take it by round 20. The final season is in Canberra’s favour for about $100,000 more than his 2027 contract value.
• Veterans David Klemmer and Christian Welch head towards 2026 with unique situations. Klemmer needs to play as many as 14 games in 2025 to be guaranteed another year at the Tigers while Welch needs to play at least 18 games to enact a clause in his deal for 2026 in Melbourne. The alternative is for Welch to win a State of Origin recall, which would also secure him another season.
David Klemmer’s contract clause.
Christian Welch’s contract clause.
As for Klemmer, he said he was not worried by his game trigger.
Klemmer has played at least 18 games a year since his first full season in the top grade in 2014.
“(My mindset) would be different if I was at the beginning of my career,” Klemmer said. “Obviously I’m at the back end… all I can control is coming to training and doing my best. I am respectful, train well, be a good person and a good leader.
“If (I thought) about it, it would eat you up. I just have to play good football.
“I’ve always said that as soon as the wheels fall off I’ll hang the (boots) up.
“I’m still fighting and competing. I am running good times. Once I am not keeping up with the blokes then it’s time. I’m still there or thereabouts and fighting for it.”
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
funny how the Tigers options seem to get the most airtime or are portrayed a different way to other teams as a player not committing or believing in the club. Obviously if you are the Panthers with 4xpremierships you can be more bullish in the player market or Rorters with the sombrero and financial/career support for life.
Who’s next off the Wests Tigers bus?
In order of likelihood imo:
Tumeth
Feledy
Saukuru
To’a
Staines
Naden
Doueihi
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I’m hopefully that with a much more front footed attack and with our halves creating more space for our centres that Naden could be quite a different player. He is a follower not a leader and he came into our squad where we had terrible standards and poor strategy. These things now look to have been taken care of. Toa is another who I think could jump out of the ground and show real quality. He was highly rated at the knights and he has had some good periods for us when fit. He is a very different body shape to Naden and has different qualities but this is the one position that is wide open for someone to claim. Douhie is not a natural centre in my view (his strengths are all individual traits) and I think he would be best playing in the halves in the super league or bulking up and playing for someone like Bennett who would know how to create a role for him as a utility
We haven't seen them play a game yet, so what's the basis for your comment on season 2025 having better standards and strategy? Just the recruitment?.... he (Naden) came into our squad where we had terrible standards and poor strategy. These things now look to have been taken care of.
We haven't seen them play a game yet, so what's the basis for your comment on season 2025 having better standards and strategy? Just the recruitment?.... he (Naden) came into our squad where we had terrible standards and poor strategy. These things now look to have been taken care of.
recruitment, the sacking of Miller, talk from the squad of relative offseason toughness
Fair enough, although I think I read every year about how players have found preseason tough. 2025 will be the year when we see if Marshall can coach or not. That's the major variable to be determined, IMO. So, I'll harness my enthusiasm until i get some evidence that he can.We haven't seen them play a game yet, so what's the basis for your comment on season 2025 having better standards and strategy? Just the recruitment?.... he (Naden) came into our squad where we had terrible standards and poor strategy. These things now look to have been taken care of.
recruitment, the sacking of Miller, talk from the squad of relative offseason toughness
Fair enough, although I think I read every year about how players have found preseason tough. 2025 will be the year when we see if Marshall can coach or not. That's the major variable to be determined, IMO. So, I'll harness my enthusiasm until i get some evidence that he can.We haven't seen them play a game yet, so what's the basis for your comment on season 2025 having better standards and strategy? Just the recruitment?.... he (Naden) came into our squad where we had terrible standards and poor strategy. These things now look to have been taken care of.
recruitment, the sacking of Miller, talk from the squad of relative offseason toughness
I think the pressure on Benji will translate as pressure on the squad to perform as well. The kids are another year older and expectations have risen. Above all I think (hope) that the critical mass of senior/experienced players means and the removal of some that have tender towards bludging is a tipping point. Luai famously holds his team mates to his high personal standards (screaming at his team nested during games if they don’t follow the gameplan etc) and we have needed this type of accountability for a long long time. Api is an absolutely legend and busted his gut but he was a leader by example rather than someone who told people around him when they needed to be better. That what feels different but Ofcourse we have had false dawns before.
And @tigertownSFS, the fact that the kids are a year older and more experienced is as important, IMO, as the recruitment of Luai.
Api is a warhorse and legend, no doubt about it. Hopefully Luai can provide that extra level of leadership, in real time, to support him and keep the team focused and resilient in those inevitable high pressure moments.
The difference in the team camp this year when compared to last year has increased my hopes. Fingers crossed that translated to the rest of the preseason.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
We just need to get some wins early. If we start the year for 3 or 4 wins and can stay around mid table we will really kick on in my view. If it takes a long while to get a win we might implode mid year
