NRL PLAYERS are richer than ever yet a shocking and increasing number of stars are broke and living cheque to cheque.

We are talking about Origin players unable to withdraw cash two days before payday.

We are talking about players a decade into their career who still don’t own a house.

The problem is growing and it has taken a former Brisbane Broncos and Cowboys prop, a position typically reserved for meat heads, to help.

Ex-NRL player Isaak Ah Mau has become a financial adviser and now is now helping dozens of NRL players learn how to control their money.

With the NRL salary cap increasing and third party deals being deregulated, money is flowing into the game at a speed unseen since the Super League era.

Until the past nine months, the welfare of NRL players has been tragically overlooked.

What is still overlooked is their financial health which has and will continue to consume NRL players negatively.

It is understood a part of the reason behind some of the recent tragedies that have rocked rugby league is financial hardship.

Several NRL clubs engage financial institutes to present seminars to their players but the details often fly over the players’ heads and they fudge their way through follow-up consultations or avoid them completely.

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media_camera Isaak Ah Mau says too many NRL players don’t vget the financial advice they need.

Ah Mau has set up a process within NAB bank to help players learn how to manage their money now and for their futures.

One success story so far is an NYC player who despite being on a $20,000 contract has already saved more than $10,000 as he builds towards a house deposit.

Ah Mau, who also played for the Cowboys and whose younger brother Leeson plays for the Dragons, said there had been awful cases of players allowing others to milk them for their savings.

“Players’ welfare is at risk. There’s more players in our game than you think who just live from pay cheque to pay cheque,” Ah Mau said.

“It is a serious issue and one that has been overlooked for too long.

“I found they need the right people to get through to them sometimes, people who not looking make money off these players but more so to provide education around finance they (players) can understand.

“A lot of times, players will receive advice but they are never going to implement it because there is no ongoing guidance.

“Only the player can actually find the recommended advice beneficial if there is a simple and easy foundation established from the very beginning, which will set them up even when they finish their playing careers.

“Part of the reason I got into the finance industry is to try help what has become a massive problem.”