$1-million-a-year Melbourne star Harry Grant says NRL players are better off working as tradies

NRL millionaire Harry Grant has been hammered by footy fans after the Melbourne Storm star made a confusing statement about how players can better ‘get started’.

Grant’s comments come as the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) and the governing body continue to work out a new collective bargaining agreement and salary cap for the 2023 season and beyond.

Grant, who is currently with the Kangaroos in England for the Rugby League World Cup, is unlikely to sweat over those results.

The star hooker has signed a two-year extension through the end of 2025, with the last two years of the deal tipped to average around $1 million per season — before factoring in representative bonuses.

But it hasn’t stopped Grant from accusing the NRL of “lowballing” players.

“As players, it’s our livelihood and we just have to sort something out for everyone’s sake, we’ve put enough into this game,” he said.

“You know, for what we get out of it, I think they’re downplaying us a little bit at this point, the NRL.

“The RLPA is doing a great job for the players and they are negotiating fairly fairly with the NRL.

‘It’s a little crazy’ [that it’s not done]. All the players have done it all year round and then we can’t come to an agreement… yes it is [not good].’

“Everyone thinks you’re playing NRL and you’re in the right place, but the reality is you’re not. I think a development contract costs $60,000, so some guys better work on the tools.

“I can’t complain, you can play footy for a living, but hey, it’s tough sometimes.”

NRL fans were not impressed.

“Sports stars have recently proven that they are out of touch with reality. If you don’t think you’re being fairly rewarded for playing the game, get started in the real world and see what you’re worth,” one wrote.

“With the money they earn, even if their careers only last an average of 10 years, you’d think they’d be wise enough to invest the money wisely so that they’re not left with potentially nothing when football revenues dry up. on,” wrote another.

“It is not the NRL’s fault that players suffer damage from their sport. It is a personal decision whether or not to play the sport. As professionals, that fact should be obvious. If you offered to cover the lower level players at a certain price for the top earners then you would be worth listening to,” added another.

“The fans who go to the stadiums, buy jerseys and watch the games on TV provide the players with their income, while they earn a small share of the players,” bellowed one fan.

“If they think they can earn elsewhere, they are more than welcome to do it,” wrote another.

NRL clubs had to tighten their belts during Covid and the salary ceiling was reduced by 20 percent in 2020.

The minimum wage for players in the top 30 of a team peaked at $82,500 in 2016 before being lowered to $70,000 per season in 2018. Development players get a minimum of $60,000.

It is not known what that minimum wage will be until the new collective labor agreement is reached.