NRL expansion: Every club’s key recruitment risks revealed

Expansion is set to supercharge an already heated NRL free agency market and these are the key targets up for grabs at every club.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

The Bear Trap is being set and primed to catch the NRL’s best off-contract talent.

It follows the revelation that the NRL has reached an in-principle agreement with the West Australian government for a Perth team to enter an expanded 18-team competition in 2027.

The ARL Commission has voted to accept a $50 million offer to secure the expansion agreement, with the final step being taking the package to the existing 17 NRL clubs for formal approval.

If approved, the Bears will join Papua New Guinea as expansion sides set to join the league in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

While the NRL puts the finishing touches on the agreement, the key date for NRL clubs is November 1, when the proposed WA expansion side will gain access to players coming off contract from their current teams at the end of 2026.

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From your club’s marquee stars to their best young talents, players will become top expansion targets.

Expansion will add two more top-30 squads to the rugby league landscape and supercharge an already heated free agency market.

If a player is off contract at the end of this season, rather than sign a long-term contract, they could easily ink a one-year deal at a club, with potential riches available when 18 or 19 clubs are looking to fill rosters.

We reveal the most worrying contract concerns right around the corner for your club, and how your team could take advantage and make a play for the biggest players in rugby league.

BRISBANE BRONCOS

Broncos fans would hope there’s some urgency in the retention department given eight of their 14 uncontracted players this year are in their starting line-up.

While discussions are most likely being had with Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo, there’s still Jack Gosiewski, Kobe Hetherington, Corey Jensen, and Maguire’s other starting centre — breakout Gehamat Shibasaki — to deal with.

Three of Brisbane’s five hookers also do not have a club after this year.

Blake Mozer, Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy remain off contract, with Ben Hunt and Billy Walters free to talk to rivals come November 1 this year.

There’s also a question mark over their future halves - there were no plans for Adam Reynolds to stay beyond this year, while Jock Madden and the man touted to be the number seven’s long term replacement — Coby Black — have one year left.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

One of the more stable squads in the league, Ricky is looking to develop the squad he already has and so far has shown his long term commitment to them, with longer contracts for future halves Ethan Sanders and Ethan Strange.

The major question mark is over fullback Kaeo Weekes, who is off this year and has youngster Chevy Stewart waiting for his opportunity.

Josh Papalii is tipped to hang up the boots at season’s end, Jamal Fogarty’s future is expected to be decided soon, while rookie winger Savelio Tamale will be looking to cash in on his impressive start to his career with a new deal.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

With Phil Gould last week ruling out a possible shot at Lachlan Galvin, all focus now is on whether Toby Sexton is identified as their long-term No.7.

Veteran Kurt Mann is also yet to extend.

But the Dogs will look to make the most of their premiership window as soon as possible if they cannot lock down some of the names uncontracted beyond next year.

Eight of their current starters, including Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, Bailey Hayward, Sam Hughes, Reed Mahoney, Marcelo Montoya and fan favourites Viliame Kikau and Connor Tracey are without a contract after 2026.

The signature of Jack Todd could also become hot property the more he impresses.

CRONULLA SHARKS

The Sharks have cemented their six and seven in Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes for years to come, but the rest of their spine is yet to feel the same contract love.

Most under pressure is Will Kennedy whose deal runs out this year, but while hooker Blayke Brailey and lock Cameron McInnes are only locked in until the end of 2026.

An area of potential concern is in the three-quarter line, where five options, including first-choice pair Kayal Iro and Jesse Ramien, are off-contract either this year or next.

Back that up with unsigned wingers Sam Stonestreet (2025) and Sione Katoa (2026) and the Shire’s outside backs are swimming in dangerous waters.

DOLPHINS

A real changing of the guard could be on the cards should veterans Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Mark Nicholls all retire at season’s end, while Josh Kerr also remains unsigned.

The versatile Kurt Donoghue is another that could be looking for a new home.

November is when the real problems could emerge, with strike players Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako — all off contract.

The Dolphins should also be pushing for upgrades for Connolly Lemuelu and Ray Stone who are free to negotiate with clubs very soon.

GOLD COAST TITANS

Just about all of the Titans’ wing options are off-contract, or about to be.

Jaylan de Groot, Jojo Fifita, Tony Francis, Ken Maumalo and Harley Smith-Shields have no home after November 1, and adding to that list is stars Alofa Khan Pereira, Keano Kini and Phillip Sami in 2026, big names where a lot of Gold Coast’s points come from.

After last year’s contract saga, young gun Josiah Pahulu could also be looking for the door.

But the priorities right now will be three of their most important cogs - Jayden Campbell, David Fifita and Keano Kini - all having just one more season left on their deals.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES

Manly fans already know that Daly Cherry-Evans won’t be back, but almost half the roster could potentially be out the door with him - a total 14 players are off-contract.

The names only get bigger the year after, with star brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic, veteran pointscorer Reuben Garrick, and hooker Lachlan Croker all in the final years of their deal.

It’ll take a major fallout for the Trbojevic siblings leave their junior club.

MELBOURNE STORM

With Trent Loiero the only Storm starter without a deal next year, Melbourne fans can remain confident of their team’s ability to compete for a title in 2026.

Although that might be hampered by the looming contract decisions for a slew of their major stars come November 1, with Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant all free to negotiate with rivals.

And that doesn’t include starters Shawn Blore, Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Will Warbrick, and valuable utility Tyran Wishart.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

With almost a quarter of their cap tied up in Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga next year, the Knights will have to be extra judicious with who they sign and re-sign.

Among their free agents are starters Matthew Croker and Kai Pearce-Paul, while Greg Marzhew and impressive youngster Thomas Cant come off the following year.

Three halves options - Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble - are either off-contract or about to enter the final year of their deals.

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

The priorities are likely to be Luke Metcalf, Taine Tuaupiki and Demitric Vaimauga, all of whom will be sought after if they aren’t re-signed by November 1.

In fact, four halves are either off-contract or about to be, with Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd joining Metcalf without deals beyond 2026.

Though Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad resigned for a further two years this week, veterans Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is off this year and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck next year.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

The Cowboys have done a decent job locking down much of their spine in Scott Drinkwater and Reuben Cotter alongside Tom Dearden, but the star six could be with a new halves partner soon should both Jake Clifford and backup Tom Duffy remain unsigned beyond this year.

Clifford has managed just 79 appearances in eight seasons and Duffy had a rough start to the year, so whether either stays in Townsville is unknown.

Murray Tualagi on the other hand has been one of the Cowboys most consistent since breaking out in 2021. The Origin winger is 26 and will hit 100 games this weekend.

With plenty of football still left in him, Tualagi will no doubt carry a respectable price tag if he hits the open market at the end of 2025, as will breakout centre Jaxson Purdue.

PARRAMATTA EELS

It’s almost a blank canvas for Jason Ryles.

A whopping 24 names are either off-contract or about to be. From stars on big coin to promising rookies, time is well and truly ticking on Ryles to shape his own roster.

It’s easier to name players with deals after 2026: Bailey Simonsson, Isaiah Iongi, J’maine Hopgood, Jack Williams, Luca Moretti, Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax.

Everyone else is fair game, with rookie Sam Tuivaiti likely the priority, followed by fellow youngsters Ryley Smith and Charlie Guymer.

PENRITH PANTHERS

There’s been much talk about the new look Penrith, now stripped of much of their original stars. But the core spine of Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Mitch Kenny and Isaah Yeo are locked in for years to come alongside Liam Martin and Moses Leota.

Every single one of their first-choice 17 is locked in for this year and next, although youngsters Liam Henry, Lindsay Smith and Jack Cole are all off-contract in 2026.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

All eyes are on whether the Rabbitohs re-sign Alex Johnston and Cody Walker for next year, while the younger Jye Gray, Lachlan Hubner, Jamie Humphreys and Keaon Koloamatangi could be lured by rivals from November 1.

How Gray fares defending in the frontline over the next month could be key in setting his market value.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

The Dragons multi-year investment into players at the back end of their career has so far worked out with captain Clint Gutherson and Valentine Holmes showing out.

But 21 players in total are either off-contract or have one year left on their deals, including both hookers Damien Cook and Jacob Liddle, both starting second-rowers Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Su’A, and both first-choice wingers Tyrell Sloan and Christian Tuipulotu.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted earlier this year they could’ve signed more players than they did, but choose instead to invest in their youth.

It means the league waits with bated breath on who the league heavyweights will be spending their money on, with the wily Daly Cherry-Evans widely tipped to kick on at Bondi.

Skipper James Tedesco comes off after 2026 but is likely to play on, while Angus Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Naufahu Whyte will have a market if they get to November 1.

WESTS TIGERS

With Lachlan Galvin already announcing his departure after next season, Tigers fans wait on co-captain Jarome Luai declining his player option to test the market after 2026.

Throw 32-year-old Api Koroisau in the mix and that’s three of their most important players whose futures aren’t locked in beyond next season.

The versatile Adam Doueihi is another to keep an eye on as this current season progresses.

Originally published as NRL expansion: Every club’s key recruitment risks revealed