In a rare and candid insight into the professional sports world, veteran NRL halfback Chad Townsend has lifted the lid on the realities of player contracts, shattering the common perception that stars pocket their full headline salary.
The Contract Breakdown: Superannuation Shock
Townsend, 34, meticulously analysed all 56 pages of his 2025 Sydney Roosters contract on his YouTube channel. One of the most revealing aspects was how superannuation functions for modern-day rugby league professionals. Unlike many standard employment agreements where super is paid on top of wages, NRL salaries are inclusive of the mandatory retirement contribution.
"One of the things that you may not know is that we are employees of the clubs as players. If you're an employee, you get paid superannuation," Townsend explained. "As players, we pay superannuation out of our contract, so we don't get superannuation on top, it comes out of the contract."
The recently retired playmaker detailed that 11.5 per cent of his wage this year was deducted for his super fund. This means a player signing a deal reportedly worth $100,000 does not receive that full amount before other deductions are applied.
Beyond the Glitz: The Net Pay Reality
Townsend outlined the sequential deductions that significantly reduce a player's take-home pay. "So, if you sign for $100,000, you take out your management fees, you take out your tax, you take out your superannuation," he said. "So obviously there are a few things that come out before your money hits your (bank) account."
This system applies across the league, from emerging talents to the biggest names. For instance, Roosters captain James Tedesco was on a reported salary of $1.1 million this season, but his monthly earnings are reduced by superannuation and agent fees. Similarly, Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh's total contract value is close to $5 million, making him the highest-paid player in the club's history, but his net income follows the same deduction principles.
Leave Entitlements and Future Plans
The contract deep-dive also highlighted standard leave entitlements for NRL athletes. Players are allocated:
- Eight days of sick leave per year.
- Three days bereavement leave.
- Five parental leave days.
Annual leave varies with experience. Those who have completed five or fewer NRL pre-seasons get seven weeks, while veterans with more than five receive nine weeks. Contracts also require players to declare information governing their eligibility for State of Origin and international representative duties.
Looking ahead, Townsend, who played 268 NRL games across 15 seasons, confirmed his future plans. He will return to his roots, lacing up for the Yarrawarrah Tigers - his junior club - in 2026. "It's been a long time since I've pulled on a Tigers jersey," he said. "I'm excited to help create history with Yarrawarrah as we put together our first-ever A-grade team."
Additionally, he will take on the role of head coach for Cronulla's SG Ball under-19s squad next year, continuing his contribution to the sport's development pathway.
