NRLW free agency analysis: Titans star Shaylee Bent could join partner David Fifita in Sydney after asking for release in 2026

A Sydney club is in the lead to sign Shaylee Bent should she be granted a release, while St George Illawarra’s biggest star is rumoured to be contemplating her future elsewhere in 2027. See every NRLW roster analysed.

Bent could follow Fifita to Sydney.

Gold Coast Titans are on the verge of losing star forward Shaylee Bent for 2026 with the former Jillaroos and NSW Origin representative set to move to Sydney with long-term partner David Fifita.

The popular 25-year-old is highly sought after in the Sydney NRLW market, but Canterbury are the frontrunner to land her signature should a release be finalised with the Titans.

The move would bring Bent to Sydney with Fifita, who has already started pre-season training with South Sydney after signing a two-year deal with the club and ending a rollercoaster five seasons with the Titans.

Bent started her NRLW career with the Dragons in 2019 but moved to the Gold Coast in 2023 after a year of making a long distance relationship work.

In 2024 Fifita then agreed to join the Sydney Roosters on a four-year contract but backflipped on the deal to stay on the Gold Coast with Bent, who signed an extension through to the end of 2027 with the Titans’ NRLW side where she has become an important member of the squad.

However, the club is now negotiating a release for Bent from the final two years of her contract so she can be closer to home and settle in Sydney.

The move adds another layer to an unusually active off-season for the NRLW player market.

Bent would be a huge coup for the Bulldogs should they land her for 2026.

On Thursday they announced the release of powerful lock Tegan Dymock after just one season with the club, and have already farewelled Holli Wheeler who was released to the Tigers for next season.

Bent could follow Fifita to Sydney.

Dymock’s release allows her to return to Cronulla, where she played the 2023 and 2024 NRLW seasons under coach Tony Herman.

However, it leaves the Bulldogs in a vulnerable position with their roster for 2027.

They have not yet announced any signings beyond the end of 2026, leaving them in danger of losing their high profile stars including captains Tayla Preston and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

It’s understood rival clubs have signalled interest in the stars for 2027 and beyond, with at least one more player rumoured to have asked for an immediate release which would further rob the squad of experience.

Meanwhile, Dragons star Teagan Berry is off-contract at the end of 2026 and understood to be entertaining interest from rival clubs.

The try-scoring superstar signed a one-year extension with the Dragons last year, keeping her at the club until the end of next season while knocking back offers from across the league.

After a mixed season with the Dragons, Berry is thought to be contemplating a future elsewhere should the right opportunity come up.

Sharks fullback Emma Verran is also off contract at the end of 2026 and has been flagged as a potential replacement.

Originally published as NRLW free agency analysis: Titans star Shaylee Bent could join partner David Fifita in Sydney after asking for release in 2026