“Like what we sent in the member communications,despite the significant impact of COVID and relocation costs,the game has performed really strongly in 2021,” RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said.

“Therefore,depending on the final wash-up of the figures and the financial position of the game,we’re optimistic about what could be redistributed to players based on the agreement we reached with the NRL.

“The players have done a sensational job over the last 12 months in ensuring we were able to bring rugby league to the fans. The essential role they played in generating that revenue can’t be underestimated.

“The clubs did a great job in managing relocation and ensuring the players were ready to perform. And obviously the NRL continued to maintain its position on its cost base,which goes a long way in improved outcomes.”

The NRL has already shared some of the spoils with the clubs.The majority received a bonus payment of about $1 million above projections for the financial year.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said the players wouldn’t miss out.

“They will be getting a payment,no two ways about it.”

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys on bonus player payments for 2022.

“Because we performed a lot better than expected and were able to manage the year financially extremely well – naturally we will reassess and give the players some money,” V’landys said.

“That was always the agreement,and we will honour that. We want to look at all options,but they will be getting a payment,no two ways about it.

“We are one of the rare sports that are able to do this – most are paying substantially less. We’re proud of the fact we’ve been able to navigate the season in a way where we’ve come out financially exceptionally well.

“All credit to[NRL CEO] Andrew Abdo,who has been able to implement the financial policies to get there.”

V’landys said the distributions to players and clubs for 2022 would be announced in coming weeks.

“Before COVID,the clubs as an aggregate made a $33 million loss,” he said. “That’s unsustainable. They should have been getting more distributions than what they were getting. That was because the game had too big a cost base,and we’ve been able to get the cost base right and those savings go back to the clubs so they don’t sustain those losses.

“The clubs last year,for the first time ever,had a surplus. That’s remarkable.

“What that does is secure the future of the game. You don’t want a club going broke.”

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