NRL November 1 danger zone: Clubs sweat on off-contract stars as deadline approaches
Ben Hunt’s Dragons exit has set the NRL transfer window in motion, with a host of clubs fighting to keep some of their biggest stars away from rivals. We reveal how much danger every squad is in ahead of November 1.
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As the countdown to the NRL transfer window closes in a host of clubs are sweating on keeping their stars away from rivals.
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS, BRENT READ and DAVID RICCIO take an in-depth look at your club’s November 1 danger zone as a host of big names prepare to test the open market.
BRONCOS
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
Analysis: It’s good news for incoming coach Michael Maguire that a host of big-names are off-contract at the under performing squad. Walsh has all but done a new deal but Maguire will need to get his feet under the desk to see how quickly these players adjust to his coaching.
Danger rating: 7/10
RAIDERS
Off-contract: Albert Hopoate, Danny Levi, Emre Guler, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papali’i, Simi Sasagi, Tom Starling, Xavier Savage
Analysis: No marquee players off-contract with the club having an option in Fogarty’s favour. They are close to a deal with Savage while Levi has already been granted permission to leave.
Danger rating: 3/10
BULLDOGS
Off-contract: Blake Taaffe, Bronson Xerri, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Drew Hutchison, Jaeman Salmon, Jake Turpin, Jordan Samrani, Kitione Kautoga, Kurt Mann, Kurtis Morrin, Ryan Sutton, Toby Sexton
Analysis: A couple of regular starters including Xerri, Salmon, Mann, Morrin and Sexton off-contract. They’d hope to pin down Xerri on a long term deal after his successful comeback this year.
Danger rating: 4/10
SHARKS
Off-contract: Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Kade Dykes, Oregon Kaufusi, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sam Stonestreet, Teig Wilton, Tom Hazelton, Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha, William Kennedy
Analysis: The most interesting November 1 period of any club given the amount of first grade stars who are free to chat with rival clubs. They will need to make a decision if they will keep Trindall or Atkinson and they may be placed in a similar position with Wilton or Nikora and either Hazleton or Kaufisi. Mulitalo is also wanting a big payday.
Danger rating: 9.5/10
DOLPHINS
Off-contract: Connelly Lemuelu, Felise Kaufusi, Harrison Graham, Josh Kerr, Kenneath Bromwich, Mark Nicholls, Sean O’Sullivan
Analysis: A stack of veterans who need to decide if they will play on for another 12 months. Are yet to announce Lemuelu’s new deal.
Danger rating: 2/10
TITANS
Off-contract: Ben Liyou, Harley Smith-Shields, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Jojo Fifita, Josiah Pahulu, Keenan Palasia, Ken Maumalo, Kieran Foran, Ryan Foran, Tony Francis
Analysis: Tanah Boyd joins Titans teammate Erin Clarke in New Zealand after signing with the Warriors. Fifita will command a market but largely it’s a host of players who aren’t really going to break the bank in terms of Gold Coast’s salary cap.
Danger rating: 3/10
SEA EAGLES
Off-contract: Aaron Schoupp, Clayton Faulalo, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Bullemor, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Jake Arthur, Toafofoa Sipley, Tommy Talau, Jazz Tevaga
Analysis: Cherry-Evans is the obvious name that stands out but there are a couple of other handy first-graders including Sipley, Talau, Bullemor and Tevaga that could attract attention.
Danger rating: 4/10
STORM
Off-contract: Bronson Garlick, Grant Anderson, Jonah Pezet, Josh King, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lazarus Vaalepu
Analysis: Papenhuyzen would sit on most club’s wishlist if he decides to leave the Storm but so too the ever-reliable King. The Storm have an option for Tyran Wishart and Tui Kamikamica for 2026 but want to extend beyond that.
Danger rating: 6/10
KNIGHTS
Off-contract: Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings, Jayden Brailey, Kai Pearce-Paul, Leo Thompson, Paul Bryan, Riley Jones, Tyson Frizell, Will Pryce, Sebastian Su’a
Analysis: Thompson will attract interest from at least half a dozen clubs while Pearce-Paul is also on the radar of rivals. Frizell and the Knights have a mutual option for 2026 while big calls will need to be made on Brailey, Hastings and Elliott. The Knights will have significant cap space to dip into the player market.
Danger rating: 7/10
COWBOYS
Off-contract: Braidon Burns, Harrison Edwards, Jake Clifford, Reece Robson, Semi Valemei, Thomas Duffy, Tom Chester, Viliami Vailea, Zac Laybutt
Analysis: The Cowboys could have their starting No.7 and No.9 on the market. Robson is now an established representative player while Clifford showed he can be the halfback they long thought he was.
Danger rating: 7/10
EELS
Off-contract: Brendan Hands, Bryce Cartwright, Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown Joey Lussick, Sam Tuivaiti, Luca Moretti, Joe Ofahengaue, Kelma Tuilagi, Matt Doorey, Ryan Matterson, Sean Russell, Shaun Lane, Will Penisini, Wiremu Greig
Analysis: Player and club options galore at Parramatta again heading into 2025. Gutherson’s future may be decided before kick-off and could mean he isn’t at the club before next year. New coach Jason Ryles will get a chance to have a look at a host of players before deciding if he wants them. But Matterson, Brown and Penisini control their own futures with respective clauses.
Danger rating: 7/10
PANTHERS
Off-contract: Asu Kepaoa, Daine Laurie, Harrison Hassett, Mavrik Geyer, Preston Riki, Soni Luke, Luke Sommerton, Riley Price
Analysis: Not one player from their premiership winning team is off-contract. The Panthers squad is already largely settled as they continue to become one of the all-time great teams.
Danger rating: 0.5/10
DRAGONS
Off-contract: Corey Allan, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Kyle Flanagan, Michael Molo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Ryan Couchman, Sione Finau, Toby Couchman, Viliami Fifita, Dylan Egan
Analysis: Ben Hunt’s immediate release from the Dragons allows the club the focus its efforts on securing Eels captain Clint Gutherson. The club has started talks about extending the Couchman twins, while De Belin may get another 12 months if his form continues. Expect Kyle Flanagan to sign a new deal.
Danger rating: 3/10
RABBITOHS
Off-contract: Alex Johnston, Ben Lovett, Cody Walker, Davvy Moale, Jacob Host, Lachlan Ilias, Shaquai Mitchell, Siliva Havili, Tallis Duncan, Tyrone Munro
Analysis: A few fan favourites in Johnston and Walker will be keen on playing on. The club have had talks about extending Munro while Ilias’ future is most likely to be elsewhere.
Danger rating: 6/10
ROOSTERS
Off-contract: Brandon Smith, Chad Townsend, Egan Butcher, James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Sam Walker
Analysis: Three of their first choice spine are off-contract. They are sweating on Walker re-signing while Tedesco will be given a 12-month extension. Smith is the interesting one with the Roosters in no hurry as he makes his way back from an ACL.
Danger rating: 8/10
WARRIORS
Off-contract: Adam Pompey, Bunty Afoa, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dylan Walker, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tohu Harris, Tom Ale
Analysis: Walker may be keen to return to Sydney for family reasons but he has been one of the Warriors’ best players in recent years. Harris is now a year by year proposition.
Danger rating: 5/10
TIGERS
Off-contract: Adam Doueihi, Brent Naden, Charlie Staines, David Klemmer, Fonua Pole, Josh Feledy, Justin Matamua, Chris Fa’agutu, Tony Sukkar
Analysis: The Tigers have a few players who are long odds to be re-signed but their priority must be Pole who other clubs are desperate to talk to. Klemmer has a mutual option while Doueihi will find a club provided his body holds up.
Danger rating: 5/10
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