Up for grabs: The players off-contract at your club from November 1

More than a third of NRL players become free agents on Friday, triggering a frenzy among clubs as players test their value on the open market.

It’s a critical time for all clubs as they rush to retain players and recruit stars, but it’s a particularly important time for Parramatta, Brisbane, Canterbury and the Tigers, who each have 14 of their top 30 players coming off contract.

So, here’s who’s on the market from your club, and the important decisions each team has to make.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Toby Sexton was outstanding for the Bulldogs in 2024 but is off contract at the end of 2025.Credit: Getty Images

With Bronson Xerri set to recommit, the big call the Bulldogs need to make is whether to persist with Toby Sexton at halfback. Does the club search for a big-name half or wait until young guns Mitchell Woods or Cassius Tia are ready for the rigours of first grade?

Off contract: Bailey Hayward, Blake Taaffe, Bronson Xerri, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Drew Hutchison, Jaeman Salmon, Jake Turpin, Jordan Samrani, Josh Addo-Carr, Kitione Kautoga, Kurt Mann, Kurtis Morrin, Ryan Sutton, Toby Sexton.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Daniel Atkinson (left) and Braydon Trindall (right) were both crucial to Cronulla in 2024.Credit: NRL Photos

Captain Cameron McInnes is poised to re-sign, but no other club faces more tough decisions to keep the nucleus of the side together than Cronulla. It looks like it will come down to a choice between Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson. Both have shown significant value in the halves this season.

Off contract: Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Kade Dykes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Samuel Stonestreet, Teig Wilton, Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha, William Kennedy.

Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane Broncos centres Kotoni Staggs (left) and Selwyn Cobbo (right).Credit: NRL Photos

Reece Walsh staying is basically a done deal, so the big question mark is whether the club can keep its strike centres. Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs will be able to command big deals on the open market, and the club can probably only retain one. The fear at Broncos HQ is they could lose both in the negotiating period.

Off contract: Adam Reynolds, Blake Mozer, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Fletcher Baker, Israel Leota, Jack Gosiewski, Jaiyden Hunt, Kobe Hetherington, Kotoni Staggs, Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Tyson Smoothy, Xavier Willison.

Melbourne Storm

Melbourne are offering Papenhuyzen a contract, but for less than what he’s currently on.Credit: Getty Images

A massive call looms for Melbourne on the fullback front. The Storm have an offer to Ryan Papenhuyzen on the table, but it would require him to take a pay cut. Papenhuyzen has only played 14 games in the past two years. In that time, 21-year-old fullback Sualauvi Fa’alogo has emerged as a rising star.

Off contract: Bronson Garlick, Christian Welch (mutual option), Grant Anderson, Jonah Pezet, Josh King, Lazarus Vaalepu, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Trent Loiero, Tui Kamikamica, Tyran Wishart (club option).

Parramatta Eels

Dylan Brown has a player option at the Eels until the end of 2031.Credit: Getty

Those crazy contract options the Eels have given their players over the years are about to bite them. Dylan Brown has until round 10 next season to decide whether he wants to be part of the Jason Ryles revolution, while Will Penisini faces a similar call. Captain Clint Gutherson has been granted a release to leave the club immediately and is expected to join the Dragons.

Off contract: Brendan Hands, Bryce Cartwright, Clint Gutherson, Joey Lussick, Dylan Brown, Joe Ofahengaue, Kelma Tuilagi, Luca Moretti, Ryan Matterson (player option), Sam Tuivaiti, Shaun Lane (MO), Toni Mataele, Will Penisini (PO), Wiremu Greig.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Rabbitohs trio Tyrone Munro, Tallis Duncan and Davvy Moale. Credit: NRL Photos

How long is too long for Cody Walker? That’s just one of the questions the Rabbitohs and coach Wayne Bennett have to answer, along with having plenty of competition for the signatures of Tyrone Munro, Tallis Duncan and Davvy Moale. Meanwhile, if Alex Johnston is to score the 17 tries he needs next year to break the try-scoring record held by Ken Irvine, he might not be doing it at the Rabbitohs.

Off contract: Alex Johnston, Ben Lovett, Cody Walker, Davvy Moale, Haizyn Mellars, Jacob Host, Lachlan Ilias, Siliva Havili, Tallis Duncan, Tyrone Munro.

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is still one of the best halfbacks in the NRL, but Manly don’t have a succession plan.Credit: NRL Photos

At some stage, Manly have to hatch a succession plan regarding Daly Cherry-Evans. It’s now up to “DCE” to decide how much longer he wants to play for. After letting Josh Schuster and Jamie Humphreys go, there’s no obvious replacement for when Cherry-Evans calls time on his career.

Off contract: Aaron Schoupp, Ben Condon, Clayton Faulalo, Daly Cherry-Evans, Dean Matterson, Ethan Bullemor, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Jake Arthur, Tof Sipley, Tommy Talau, Jazz Tevaga.

Sydney Roosters

James Tedesco is likely to extend with the Roosters, but the question is for how long?Credit: Steven Siewert

Sam Walker’s signature is basically a done deal. The focus now turns to skipper James Tedesco and the conversation will be about how long they’re prepared to extend his contract for. After losing so many players at the end of 2024, the Roosters will turn to their attention from retention to recruitment, along with bringing some of their reserve grade players into the big league.

Off contract: Chad Townsend, Egan Butcher, James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Sam Walker.

St George Illawarra Dragons

Where does Kyle Flanagan fit into father Shane’s plan for the future? Credit: Janie Barrett

Kyle Flanagan is the interesting one. With Ben Hunt now out the door, Flanagan’s father and coach Shane needs to settle on a halves combination. So, what does that mean for his son? This is now a club with cash to splash, and they will need to look outside their four walls for a new half. Veteran Clint Gutherson is expected to join the club immediately and can play fullback or five-eighth.

Off contract: Christian Tuipulotu, Corey Allan, Dylan Egan, Jacob Liddle (MO), Kyle Flanagan, Michael Molo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Ryan Couchman, Sione Finau, Toby Couchman, Viliami Fifita, Hamish Stuart.

Penrith Panthers

Brad Schneider has helped carry Penrith when Nathan Cleary has been out injured.Credit: NRL Photos

With so many of their stars locked up long-term, we won’t see a raid on the Panthers like we have in previous years. Penrith have always had a handy back-up for Nathan Cleary (think Jack Cogger and Sean O’Sullivan) … can Brad Schneider cement that role with a new contract?

Off contract: Asu Kepaoa, Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie, Harrison Hassett, Luke Sommerton, Mavrik Geyer, Preston Riki, Riley Price, Soni Luke.

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle needs to decide if they’ll keep Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings and Jayden Brailey after the 2025 season.Credit: NRL Photos

Recruiter Peter O’Sullivan has inherited a mess of a salary cap. The Knights face massive pressure to retain Leo Thompson, at a time when they haven’t been able to move Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings and Jayden Brailey along. Coach Adam O’Brien needs to settle on a halves combination, which he might need to go to the market to find.

Off contract: Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings, Jayden Brailey, Kai Pearce-Paul, Leo Thompson, Matthew Croker, Paul Bryan, Riley Jones, Sebastian Su’a, Tyson Frizell (MO), Will Pryce.

Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers prop Fonua Pole.

Having lost Stefano Utoikamanu to Melbourne, the Tigers can’t afford to lose their most promising young prop – Fonua Pole. The club has moved to keep him, but it remains to be seen if The Tigers can keep Pole out of the clutches of rivals.

Off contract: Adam Doueihi, Alex Seyfarth, Brent Naden, Charlie Staines, Chris Fa’agutu, David Klemmer (MO), Fonua Pole, Josh Feledy, Justin Matamua, Tony Sukkar (CO), Solomona Faataape, Reuben Porter, Heath Mason, Will Craig.

North Queensland Cowboys

North Queensland Cowboys duo Jake Clifford and Reece Robson are free agents come November 1.Credit: NRL Photos

Spine stars Reece Robson and Jake Clifford are the priorities for the Cowboys this season. Robson has established himself in the NSW No.9 jersey and Clifford appears to be the best long-term No.7 option after an impressive end to 2024.

Off contract: Braidon Burns, Harrison Edwards (CO), Jake Clifford, Reece Robson, Robert Derby, Thomas Duffy, Tom Chester, Viliami Vailea, Zac Laybutt

New Zealand Warriors

Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.Credit: NRL Photos

There are some big decisions for the Warriors in the post-Shaun Johnson era. Te Maire Martin is off contract and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is another integral part of the spine, while the Warriors also can’t afford to lose Dylan Walker’s versatility.

Off contract: Adam Pompey, Bunty Afoa, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Demitric Sifakula (CO), Dylan Walker, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tohu Harris, Tom Ale

Gold Coast Titans

Gold Coast centre Jojo Fifita.Credit: NRL Photos

Don’t expect Jojo Fifita to be on this list for long. We’re hearing the rising star is close to inking a three-year extension with the Titans.

Off contract: Harley Smith-Shields, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Jojo Fifita, Josiah Pahulu, Ken Maumalo, Kieran Foran, Ryan Foran, Tony Francis, Ben Liyou

Dolphins

Veteran forwards Kenny Bromwich and Mark Nicholls.Credit: NRL Photos

We’re about to see a changing of the guard at the Dolphins. Wayne Bennett built the club around experienced stalwarts like Kenny Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Felise Kaufusi, but for how long can they keep going? And who do the Dolphins get to replace them?

Off contract: Connelly Lemuelu, Felise Kaufusi, Harrison Graham, Josh Kerr, Kenny Bromwich, Mark Nicholls, Sean O’Sullivan

Canberra Raiders

Xavier Savage was impressive on the wing for Canberra in 2024.Credit: Getty Images

Ricky Stuart has played the long game with winger Xavier Savage. He has developed into a fine finisher on the wing, but could some clubs be prepared to punt on him at fullback?

Off contract: Albert Hopoate, Corey Harawira-Naera (PO), Danny Levi, Emre Guler, Jamal Fogarty (CO), Simi Sasagi, Tom Starling, Xavier Savage

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