EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns blasts contract ‘shambles’ as NRL pressed to ‘resolve the issue’

Andrew Johns is seething as the ongoing “circus” surrounding NRL contracts continues to frustrate fans amidst an impressive start to the season.

The drama has been unfolding in 2025 with Dylan Brown’s record-breaking $13 million deal to the Knights, followed by Daly Cherry-Evans announcing his departure from Manly.

This week took a wild turn when Lachlan Galvin and his manager Isaac Moses notified the Wests Tigers that they would not be accepting an extension.

This has resulted in chaos, prompting Benji Marshall and Jarome Luai to face the cameras on Thursday to clarify the situation amidst the turmoil.

During an appearance on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour, Johns expressed his annoyance over the current player market, which has seen athletes publicly declare their intentions long before their contracts expire.

“The situation with Dylan Brown was a spectacle that seemed to drag on forever, but thankfully DCE’s announcement took the spotlight away from it,” Johns remarked.

“Then out comes Lachie Galvin, pushing DCE into the background.”

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“Three major stories this year revolve around star players’ exits, money issues, and the reasons behind their decisions. The game is thriving, ratings are soaring with Nine and Fox, and crowd numbers are increasing, yet that’s not what we’re discussing.

“Can we please resolve this? The RLPA and NRL need to get together and iron this out.

“I can only imagine how fed up the fans must be – they’re sick of it.”

Recently, Wayne Bennett advocated for a significant revamp of the system, where players can explore their options starting from November 1, often more than a year before their contracts end.

In Galvin’s case, his club attempted to quell the speculation early by proposing a five-year contract extension running until 2027 and beyond, but after his rejection, Tigers officials distanced themselves from the young talent, expressing their dissatisfaction.

“It’s a complete shambles. The quicker we sort this out, the better,” Johns added.

“It feels like we’ve been addressing this forever — concerning transfer windows, players signing contracts 18 months in advance, and wanting out of agreements.

“Contracts have become meaningless these days.”