Why Some NRLW Players Get Upgraded And Others Don't: The Truth About NRLW Contracts, Value And Opportunity
- John Fadel
- 1 hour ago
- 12 min read
Why Some NRLW Players Get Upgraded And Others Don't
What Is An NRLW Upgrade?
(Why Some NRLW Players Get Upgraded And Others Don't)
One of the most misunderstood terms in the NRLW is the word "upgrade."
Players hear about upgrades.
Parents hear about upgrades.
Fans hear about upgrades.
But very few people actually understand what an upgrade means and how clubs use them.
Before reading this section, I strongly recommend reading our previous article:
How NRLW Clubs Build Their Salary Cap: The Recruitment, Retention and Player Value Formula Explained
That article explains how clubs manage their salary cap and why every contract decision affects another contract decision.
Understanding the salary cap makes understanding upgrades much easier.
Why Clubs Leave Money Available
When clubs build their roster, they don't always spend every single dollar immediately.
Sometimes they intentionally leave room inside the salary cap.
Why?
Because circumstances change.
A player may exceed expectations.
A representative player may emerge.
A recruitment target may become available.
A retention opportunity may arise.
Leaving flexibility inside the salary cap allows clubs to react when opportunities present themselves.
How Contract Upgrades Actually Work
One of the most common examples of an upgrade occurs during retention discussions.
Let's say a player has already agreed to a contract worth $70,000 for the following season.
The club believes the player is worth more than that but cannot increase the future contract due to salary cap restrictions.
Instead, the club may choose to upgrade the player's current contract.
For example:
A player signs for $70,000 in 2027.
The club then upgrades their 2026 contract by an additional $10,000.
The player still receives additional financial reward.
The club stays within its salary cap planning.
Both parties achieve a positive outcome.
This type of upgrade is often used as both a reward and a retention strategy.
The Retention Tool Many Fans Never See
Another common scenario occurs when a club is competing with rival clubs for a player's signature.
Imagine a player is valued internally at $100,000.
The player may be seeking $120,000.
The club cannot reach that number in the following season due to salary cap pressure.
Instead, they may upgrade the current year's contract.
The conversation becomes:
"We can't match that future number, but we can reward you now because we value what you've done for the club."
That serves two purposes.
Firstly, it genuinely rewards performance.
Secondly, it reinforces the relationship between the player and the club.
It reminds the player that the club values them.
Professional sport is a business.
Retention strategies are part of that business.
Why Upgrades Are More Than Just Money
Many people think upgrades are purely financial.
They're not.
Upgrades are often a signal.
A signal that the club values the player.
A signal that the club sees a future for that player.
A signal that the player has earned trust within the organisation.
Sometimes the financial amount is less important than the message attached to it.
The message is:
"We believe in you."
That message can be powerful when future contract decisions arrive.
Who Can Receive An Upgrade?
This is where confusion often occurs.
Not every player is eligible.
Top 24 contracted players can receive contract upgrades subject to salary cap compliance and approval processes.
However, development and supplementary contracts operate under different rules and structures.
Every upgrade must satisfy salary cap requirements.
Every upgrade must be documented properly.
Every upgrade must pass the necessary approval processes.
This is not simply a matter of handing a player additional money.
There is significant administration and salary cap scrutiny involved.
Mid-Season Opportunities And Future Planning
The NRLW is constantly planning ahead.
While clubs are managing the current season, they are often simultaneously planning future rosters.
For example, a player contracted for 2027 may already be discussing opportunities beyond that period.
As contract windows open and recruitment periods begin, clubs are balancing current performance with future retention strategies.
This is why upgrades, recruitment and retention are all closely connected.
An upgrade is rarely an isolated decision.
It is usually part of a much bigger roster strategy.
What Clubs Actually Look For When Deciding Who Gets Upgraded
One of the biggest mistakes players make is believing clubs are primarily looking at skill when deciding who gets upgraded.
The reality is that by the time a club is discussing an upgrade, they already know exactly what your football ability looks like.
They have watched your games.
They have analysed your performances.
They know your strengths.
They know your weaknesses.
They know what they can improve.
They know where you fit within their roster.
In many cases, the football side of the decision is already 90 per cent complete.
The final 10 per cent is often the most important part.
Your attitude.
Attitude Is The Biggest Upgrade Factor
When clubs sit down with a player, they are often trying to answer one question:
"Does this player fit our culture?"
They already know your skill level.
They already know your athletic ability.
They already know your football potential.
What they want to know is whether your attitude aligns with the standards they are trying to build.
Can you take feedback?
Can you handle adversity?
Can you remain positive when things are not going your way?
Can you contribute positively to the environment?
The players who consistently answer yes to those questions are often the players who earn upgrades.
Availability Matters More Than Most Players Realise
Availability is another major factor.
This is not simply about avoiding injuries.
Clubs want to know:
Where are you located?
How committed are you?
Can you consistently attend training?
Can you commit to preseason requirements?
Can you be relied upon when the team needs you?
The best ability is often availability.
A talented player who is rarely available creates uncertainty.
A reliable player who consistently turns up creates trust.
Trust creates opportunities.
Coachability Is A Valuable Asset
One of the biggest red flags for clubs is a player who believes they already know everything.
The game continues evolving.
Players must continue evolving with it.
The most successful athletes are often the most coachable athletes.
They are willing to learn.
They are willing to adapt.
They are willing to improve.
Some players have been involved in the game for years but still actively seek feedback and development opportunities.
Those players usually continue adding value because they remain open to growth.
The players who stop learning often stop progressing.
Body Shape And Physical Preparation
Clubs are also evaluating physical preparation.
What does the player's body shape look like?
What position are they best suited for?
What improvements can still be made?
How committed are they to nutrition?
How committed are they to strength and conditioning?
How committed are they to recovery?
The modern NRLW player is becoming faster, stronger and more athletic every year.
The players who invest in their physical preparation often increase their value significantly.
Position-Specific Requirements
Sometimes an upgrade has very little to do with overall talent.
It may simply be about roster needs.
A club may need an edge forward.
A club may need a middle forward.
A club may need depth in a specific position.
A player may be recruited for one position while being developed for another.
The best clubs are constantly looking ahead and identifying where future opportunities may arise.
This is why upgrades are not always awarded to the player people expect.
Sometimes the decision is strategic rather than emotional.
What Players Think Matters Versus What Clubs Think Matters
This is where misunderstandings often occur.
Players, parents and managers frequently have a different view of value compared to clubs.
Many players already have a perceived value in their own mind.
Many managers have a value they believe the player deserves.
The club already has its own valuation.
Those three numbers are rarely identical.
The Danger Of Overvaluing A Player
One of the biggest mistakes made within the game is overvaluing players.
A player may believe they are worth $100,000.
A manager may believe they are worth $120,000.
The club may value them at $80,000.
The problem is that salary caps create limitations.
Every additional dollar paid to one player must come from somewhere else.
The higher the contract, the greater the expectations.
The greater the expectations, the greater the pressure.
If performance drops, the player often becomes the first target of criticism.
Building value is always better than forcing value.
What Clubs Are Actually Evaluating
While players often focus on statistics, clubs are evaluating a much broader picture.
They look at:
• Experience
• Representative honours
• Position versatility
• Long-term development potential
• Injury history
• Reliability
• Professional habits
• Team fit
• Leadership qualities
• Cultural fit
Most importantly, clubs ask:
"What value does this player add to our organisation?"
Not:
"What value does this player believe they have?"
There is a major difference.
Social Media, Statistics And Highlight Reels
Many players believe social media followers, highlight reels and statistics automatically increase value.
Sometimes they help.
Most of the time they do not determine contract decisions.
Clubs already know how good you are.
They already have access to your games.
They already have access to your statistics.
They already have access to your representative history.
The deciding factors are often the things people cannot see.
Attitude.
Coachability.
Professionalism.
Consistency.
Culture fit.
Those are the qualities that often separate upgraded players from players who remain exactly where they are.
Why Some Players Get Upgraded And Others Don't
This is the question that creates more debate than almost any other topic in the NRLW.
Players ask it.
Parents ask it.
Fans ask it.
Why did she get upgraded and I didn't?
The answer is rarely as simple as most people think.
The reality is that clubs are assessing far more than what happens on game day.
Every contract decision is connected to recruitment, retention, salary cap management and future planning.
This is why two players who appear similar on the field can have completely different outcomes when upgrade discussions occur.
Timing Matters More Than People Realise
One of the biggest factors in any contract decision is timing.
How much time is left on your current contract?
How much experience do you have?
How many years does the club believe you have left in the game?
What stage of development are you currently at?
The best recruitment managers are constantly projecting forward.
They are not simply evaluating where a player is today.
They are evaluating where that player may be in two, three or even five years.
Timing often determines whether an upgrade happens now or later.
Position Depth Can Change Everything
Position depth is another major factor.
A player may be performing exceptionally well.
But if the club already has multiple players contracted in that position, opportunities can become limited.
Clubs evaluate:
• How many positions can you play?
• Can you play both sides of the field?
• Can you fill multiple roles?
• Can you provide injury cover?
• Can you add versatility to the roster?
The more versatile a player becomes, the more valuable they often become.
Versatility creates options.
Options create value.
Salary Cap Restrictions Are Always Present
Every club operates within financial limitations.
Every upgrade must fit within the salary cap.
Every retention decision impacts recruitment decisions.
Every recruitment decision impacts retention decisions.
This is why some players miss out despite performing well.
The club may simply not have the flexibility available at that point in time.
That does not mean the player lacks value.
It simply means the timing and financial circumstances do not align.
Recruitment Strategy Influences Every Upgrade
Clubs are always balancing present and future needs.
When a club offers a one-year contract, it often means they believe the player can help immediately but are not yet ready to commit long term.
When a club offers a two-year contract, they see potential but still want further proof before making a larger commitment.
When a club offers a three-year contract, they are usually investing in future growth.
They believe the player will continue improving.
They believe the player's value will increase.
Most importantly, they believe the player will remain an important part of the roster moving forward.
Longer contracts are often a sign of confidence.
Injury History Matters
This is an area many players underestimate.
Clubs do not simply evaluate injuries.
They evaluate recovery.
How did the player respond?
How committed were they to rehabilitation?
Did they return in good condition?
Did they lose speed?
Did they lose confidence?
Did they improve physically during the rehabilitation process?
The best athletes often use rehabilitation as an opportunity to improve other areas of their game.
Recruitment managers notice these things.
The way a player responds to adversity often tells clubs a lot about their character.
The Truth About Earning Upgrades
Many people assume upgrades go to the biggest hitters.
The biggest try scorers.
The most recognisable names.
The reality is very different.
Upgrades are often earned through consistency.
Consistency in performance.
Consistency in preparation.
Consistency in attitude.
Consistency in professionalism.
The players who continually produce strong running metres, strong defensive efforts, positive involvement and reliable performances week after week are often the players who create the most value.
Consistency creates trust.
Trust creates opportunity.
Professional Habits Separate Players
One of the biggest differences between upgraded players and overlooked players is professional habits.
Do you arrive early?
Do you stay back and do extras?
Do you seek feedback?
Do you actively work on weaknesses?
Do you communicate with coaches and support staff?
Do you take ownership of your development?
The players who consistently invest in themselves often become the players clubs invest in.
Professional habits are visible.
Coaches notice them.
Recruitment managers notice them.
Teammates notice them.
Mindset Is The Ultimate Difference
If there is one theme that consistently appears throughout recruitment, retention and upgrade discussions, it is mindset.
Mindset drives preparation.
Mindset drives consistency.
Mindset drives development.
Mindset drives resilience.
The players who continue improving are often the players who understand that nobody owes them an opportunity.
They earn opportunities.
They focus on improving.
They focus on creating value.
They focus on becoming better athletes and better people.
That mindset is incredibly attractive to clubs.
The Reality Players, Parents And Fans Often Miss
The argument about upgrades often comes from players, parents and fans.
Why did she get upgraded?
Why didn't I get upgraded?
Why did the club choose her?
The reality is that clubs are evaluating far more information than most people ever see.
They are looking at attitude.
Professional habits.
Consistency.
Availability.
Injury history.
Position depth.
Salary cap restrictions.
Future planning.
Long-term value.
The players who continue ticking those boxes usually find themselves moving forward.
The players who focus on excuses instead of development often remain stuck where they are.
Hard work does not guarantee success.
But without hard work, success becomes extremely difficult.
The players who consistently invest in themselves eventually place themselves in a position where upgrades become a natural outcome of the value they have created.
Instead of asking why someone else received an opportunity, the better question is:
"What can I do to create more value for my club?"
That is where real growth begins.
Final Thoughts From John Fadel
As an NRL Accredited Player Agent who has worked extensively within the female rugby league pathways system, I have seen both the successes and the mistakes that players, parents and clubs make.
One thing that has always helped me stay ahead is that I try to remove emotion from decision-making and look at the game for what it really is.
A business.
Not everyone likes hearing that.
Not everyone agrees with it.
But professional sport is a business, and the sooner players and parents understand that, the better positioned they will be to succeed.
When people ask me why one player gets upgraded and another doesn't, they are often looking for a simple answer.
The reality is there isn't one.
Upgrades are earned by consistently ticking boxes.
The boxes we have discussed throughout this article.
Attitude.
Availability.
Consistency.
Professional habits.
Coachability.
Development.
Mindset.
Long-term value.
Most people focus on the outcome.
The clubs focus on the process.
That is the difference.
Parents often drive the argument.
Fans often drive the argument.
Players often drive the argument.
Why did she get upgraded?
Why didn't I get upgraded?
Why did the club choose her?
The better question is:
What am I doing every day to increase my value?
Because the players who focus on increasing their value rarely need to ask why opportunities arrive.
They understand why they arrived.
The answer is simple.
They earned them.
If you have read this article and still find yourself asking why certain players are progressing ahead of others, I would encourage you to go back and read some of our previous work.
Read our article on how NRLW clubs build their salary cap.
Read about female rugby league pathways.
All of these articles point towards the same message.
Development matters.
Value matters.
Mindset matters.
The players who continue improving will continue creating opportunities.
The players who stop improving will eventually be overtaken by those who do not.
Hard work is not a guarantee of success.
But without hard work, success becomes extremely difficult.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people expecting rewards without first creating value.
The players who consistently improve their fitness.
The players who consistently improve their speed.
The players who consistently improve their game understanding.
The players who consistently improve their attitude.
Those players eventually get rewarded.
And when that reward arrives, they don't ask why.
They simply say:
"Thank you for the opportunity."
Because they know exactly how much work went into earning it.
At EXCEL Sports, we believe in building the person first and the athlete second.
Our values are simple:
Family.
Faith.
You.
When you build a strong person, you build a better athlete.
When you build a better athlete, you create more value.
And when you create more value, opportunities naturally follow.
That has been true throughout my career.
And I believe it will continue to be true as the NRLW continues to grow and create more opportunities for the next generation of players.
Do you feel you are the right fit? Contact us at EXCEL Sports
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