Potential target signings from every NRL club for Papua New Guinea expansion side

With just 40 players signed from 2028 onwards, a host of NRL stars could hit free agency in time for PNG’s entry into the premiership. See the players at every club who could be poached.

With Papua New Guinea getting the expansion green light and Perth expected to follow, NRL team rosters are about to face unprecedented raids of their playing ranks.

Even if PNG is the only team to come into the competition as the 18th team in 2028, that’s still at least 30 roster spots that need filling.

With a new broadcast rights deal, the top-30 salary cap could be pushing $13 million and we could also see the NRL’s first $2 million-a-season marquee players.

It’s unclear yet whether the NRL’s newest team will have to abide by the November 1 transfer deadline when establishing their inaugural roster, which would mean they may not be able to make a signing for another two years.

However, there are currently fewer than 40 players signed to long-term deals with their existing clubs, which puts players in prime position to cash in on the free agency frenzy and tax exemptions on the table to entice them to join the new PNG franchise.

Here’s how your club is placed to survive an expansion raid.