Here comes the week that could shape the competition for years

Melbourne’s Felise Kaufusi is in the sights of rivals.

For some clubs, it may be the most important week of the year. Over the next seven days or so, dynasties could rise and fall.

The future of clubs could be defined not just for next season, but for years to come. November 1 is looming fast and the scramble to retain players is set to reach its zenith.

The next week could shape Parramatta. So too the Melbourne Storm, a club that has somehow avoided the vicissitudes of the salary cap in recent years thanks to intelligent recruiting and the retention of their biggest names.

Some of those names are about to receive the sort of offers that can be life-changing. Brandon Smith, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch are logical targets for rivals, in particular the game’s newest side.

The Storm have already shown how wary they are of the impending threat from The Dolphins and others by moving fast on hooker Harry Grant.

They could have waited until midway through next year to take up Grant’s option for 2023. Instead, they jumped early when they had the chance and effectively placed Grant off limits for another 12 months.

The Storm didn’t have the same luxury with Smith, Kaufsui and Welch. So the three of them are biding their time, waiting for November 1 to arrive, when they can sit down and talk numbers with opposition clubs.

As for the Eels, they are in danger of being decimated. Reagan Campbell-Gillard has already indicated he will test his worth and others are expected to follow.

Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard will test the market.

Marate Niukore has clubs beating a path to his door. So too Reed Mahoney. The next seven days or so are crucial for Parramatta as they attempt to maintain a squad that looks within shooting distance of a title.

While they do their level best to keep their best and brightest, their rivals will be on edge through the next week and hope that their targets are still available on November 1, when players entering the last year of their contracts are able to sign with rivals.

It is an archaic system that the NRL has threatened to review. Yet nothing has been done. At some point over the next month, a player will sign with a rival for 2023 and then consign themselves to spending another 12 months at their existing club, all the while knowing they are bound for elsewhere.

Supporters will cry foul, pundits will talk about the insanity of it all, and life will go on as clubs scramble to keep their rivals at bay. The Sydney Roosters have the next week to tie down Joey Manu or risk their superstar centre heading to market, where the Warriors and Tigers among many will be waiting with million-dollar offers.

The Roosters are believed to have tabled a lucrative contract to Manu but he seems intent on exploring what else is out there for him. The smart money suggests he either stays at the Roosters or joins the Warriors, which would allow him to eventually return to New Zealand when the Kiwi side heads home.

The Warriors want to make Manu the main man. Money won’t be their only selling point. They want Manu to be the focal point of the team and are ready to give him the keys to the club, an offer that is out of reach at the Roosters given the presence of James Tedesco and Luke Keary.

The Tigers are lingering with intent as well. Recruitment has been one of their bugbears in recent years but the old firm of Tim Sheens and Warren McDonnell is back in charge, and ready to make a splash.

Bennett and The Dolphins are the wildcard. Their impending entry to the competition in 2023 has everyone on edge. The seven-time premiership winner’s ability to lure players remains as strong as ever.

Throw in the $10 million or so he will have at his disposal and you can understand why rival clubs are fidgeting nervously as November 1 fast approaches.

It also helps explain why the next week could be decisive for clubs. The clock is ticking.