NRL set to crack down on players breaking contracts

The NRL is eager to crack down on the growing trend of players breaking contracts for financial reasons, with Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys weighing in on the issue this Thursday.

Breaking a contract to sign a more lucrative deal with a rival NRL club has become more common in recent years.

While V’landys is not against mutually agreed or compassionate releases, he opposes the pattern of players leaving solely for more money.

“I’m an old-fashioned person and if you do a contract, you honour it,” V’landys said.

“A contract is a contract, unless there are circumstances well beyond your control — if it’s unforeseen, then fair enough.

“You get the benefits of the contract, so you should honour the contract, that’s my view.

“Your word is your word.”

V’landys confirmed that the issue would be discussed with the Rugby League Players Association (RPLA).

“To be fair, a lot of the time it’s caused by the manager, not the player,” he continued.

“We will certainly have to look at it because you can’t leave it the way it is.

“We will work on the RLPA with it to ensure it’s balanced.

“The RLPA’s argument is that sometimes the clubs get rid of the player, so it’s got to go both ways.”

These comments come after the St George Illawarra Dragons denied Francis Molo’s request to be released from his $550,000-a-year deal.

The prop cited an altercation with a staff member as his reason for wanting out of his contract and has ceased attending trainings.

Similar storylines unfolded for the Dragons in 2024 with stars Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax, who agitated for contract releases only to sign lucrative deals elsewhere.

V’landys has no issue with St George Illawarra’s stance, as he believes players need to show more loyalty to the clubs they have developed under.

“You go through your club, you build your brand through a club,” he said.

“Then, because you’ve built your brand at that club, you’re getting more money somewhere else? No.

“You have to show some loyalty and honour the contract.”

Whether or not they hold onto Molo — who has been placed on indefinite leave — rugby league betting sites have the Dragons at long odds to record their first top-eight finish in the NRL Premiership since 2018.

St George Illawarra are paying $4.25 at BetOnline to qualify for the NRL finals in 2025.

They are at even longer odds of $67 — the last line of betting — to claim their second title this year.

The Dragons’ campaign begins on Saturday, March 8, when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Top online bookmakers have them as $3.10 underdogs for their opening fixture of the season.

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