NRL Transfer Market Deep Dive: The 30 best players up for grabs and the clubs that want them

A preliminary finals berth has given the off-contract Sharks players some bargaining power on the open market, leaving Cronulla with an uphill battle to keep their stars. See the 30 best players up for grabs from November 1.

Get set for silly season. Rugby league madness is about to begin as nearly $20 million worth of talent hits the market on November 1, when a slew of big names and emerging stars enter the final year of their deals and become free to start contract negotiations with rival clubs.

David Riccio says that the Sharks are facing a juggling act that hasn’t been seen at the club in over a decade due to the number of important players coming off-contract.

“When you go to a prelim and have success as a team, and you’re coming off contract, it gives you some bargaining power,” Riccio said.

“Managers sniff that and they know that, and therefore I think the majority of the 12-13 off-contract Sharks will go to November 1.”

Ronaldo Mulitalo is among the collection of Sharks stars ready to test their value on the open market.

Mulitalo is the Sharks’ third-highest ever tryscorer and a crucial part of their deadly outside backs.

Braydon Trindall is another Shark coming off contract on the back of a tremendous individual end to the 2024 season.

Trindall’s market value no doubt shot up on the back of his form spike, but Riccio isn’t convinced by some of the figures being thrown around.

“I think claims that he’s worth $900k are completely over the top,” Riccio said.

“He sits at around $750k for me.”

This masthead has taken a look at 30 of the most coveted footballers in the game as they prepare to field bids from rival clubs for the 2026 season.

Originally published as NRL Transfer Market Deep Dive: The 30 best players up for grabs and the clubs that want them