THE BOARDROOM: The solution to the NRL's biggest contract problems

About this episode

Hoffy and Chad discuss the challenges of NRL player contracts and explore potential solutions like a trade period and draft system.

Hoffy and Chad analyse the current issues with the state of the NRL’s player movement mechanisms, and whether it could be time for a dedicated trade period or draft off the back of the situations surrounding Zac Lomax and Bronson Xerri. Chad discusses how his sudden switch to North Queensland came to be, while Hoffy raises the idea of a free agents draft for the end of each season. Hosted by NRL premiership players Ryan Hoffman and Chad Townsend, The Boardroom NRL Podcast takes a wide lens look at the state of rugby league, delivering big picture, no nonsense views on the NRL. ⬇️ THE AGENDA: 00:00 Welcome to the Boardroom 02:09 The Zac Lomax Situation 04:26 How do NRL contracts work 07:57 Player Commitment vs. Contract Negotiations 10:54 The Stress of Contract Negotiations 11:50 CBA Negotiations and Free Agency Perspectives 17:02 The Fan Perspective 20:19 Trade Period 22:57 Exploring a Loan Systems 27:35 Would a draft work in the NRL? 34:12 Free agent draft? Recorded on 17/03/2026 FOLLOW Zero Tackle on social media: NEWS: http://www.zerotackle.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/zerotackle TW: https://twitter.com/zerotackle IG: https://www.instagram.com/zerotackle/ TT…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ryan Hoffman, Chad Townsend

Topics covered

• NRL player movement
• contract negotiations
• trade period
• free agency
• loan systems
• draft discussion

Keywords

• NRL
• contracts
• player movement
• trade period
• free agency
• draft
• Zac Lomax
• Bronson Xerri

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: North Queensland

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