Actually, I do remember when an old mate of mine, who was a very good rugby union player, needed some extra money after he got married, and he went and played for Guildford (in Sydney's Western Suburbs, if you are not familiar with the name). He was one of the "professionals". In those days in "junior" league (ie the level below grade footy), not every player got paid.
He told me that, as a pro, he was expected to do a lot more tackling than the guys who did not get paid (or only got paid if the team won).
So the more things change, the more they stay the same.