Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and several of the NRL’s biggest names are closing in on a crucial contract deadline. With the PNG Chiefs preparing to enter the market, could November 1 trigger one of the most aggressive recruitment battles the game has seen?
From November 1, players whose contracts expire at the end of 2027 will be free to negotiate with rival clubs. Fox Sports reports the next three months will be critical for teams hoping to secure their stars before competitors—and the incoming Chiefs—are allowed to make formal approaches.
Nathan Cleary Headlines Penrith’s Contract Crisis
No club enters the looming free-agency period with more elite talent at risk than the Panthers.
Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Paul Alamoti and Blaize Talagi are among the Penrith players without contracts beyond 2027. If Cleary reaches November 1 without an extension, he would immediately become one of the most valuable free agents in rugby league history.
Penrith remains confident of retaining its champion halfback, but the threat posed by the PNG Chiefs cannot be ignored. Their ability to offer tax-free contracts, combined with potential third-party agreements, could create financial packages existing NRL clubs may struggle to match.
The Panthers also face difficult decisions elsewhere.
Fox Sports reports To’o and Leota are among the stars considered more likely to leave, with multiple clubs already interested in the premiership-winning prop. Losing either player would place further pressure on Penrith’s ability to keep its premiership core together.
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Latrell Mitchell Leads Massive Rabbitohs List
South Sydney has more players approaching free agency than any other NRL club, with 18 members of its squad currently unsigned beyond 2027.
Mitchell is the standout name, but Campbell Graham, Tallis Duncan, David Fifita, Tyrone Munro, Brandon Smith and Jack Wighton are also among those nearing the open market.
While Mitchell appears unlikely to leave the Rabbitohs, his contract negotiations could become one of the biggest stories of the offseason. Fox Sports noted one estimate suggesting the representative star could command as much as $1.4 million per season if rival clubs were given the opportunity to bid.
South Sydney must also prepare for an eventual transition in the halves, with Cody Walker approaching the end of his career and uncertainty surrounding the club’s long-term playmaking combination.
Dolphins Face Fight to Keep Star Backline
The Dolphins could be another major target for rival clubs.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock are all currently contracted only until the end of 2027. The club has assembled one of the most dangerous backlines in the competition, but keeping all four may prove difficult if the Chiefs and other cashed-up rivals begin making offers.
Bostock’s value has increased following his representative breakthrough, while Farnworth has reportedly attracted interest despite indicating he would prefer to remain with the Dolphins.
Melbourne’s Premiership Core at Risk
The Storm also has several major retention calls approaching.
Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jack Howarth and Eliesa Katoa are among the Melbourne players eligible to negotiate elsewhere from November 1.
Coates shapes as a particularly important signing, with Melbourne already preparing to lose Will Warbrick. Utoikamanu’s size and physical presence also make him a priority for a forward pack that has struggled to replace some of its former enforcers.
Katoa’s future remains more complicated after he was ruled out of the 2026 season following a serious brain bleed suffered while playing for Tonga. Any contract decision will naturally depend on his health and whether he is cleared to return.
Raiders Desperate to Keep Hudson Young
Hudson Young is expected to become Canberra’s biggest retention priority.
The representative back-rower has indicated he wants to remain with the Raiders, but his consistency, aggression and attacking ability would attract considerable interest if he entered the market.
Canberra also has decisions to make on Xavier Savage, Ethan Sanders, Matty Nicholson and Corey Horsburgh. With Josh Papalii preparing to leave and uncertainty surrounding other middle forwards, the Raiders cannot afford to lose too much experience from their pack.
Bulldogs Could Lose Emerging Star
The Bulldogs face a potentially difficult battle to retain Jacob Preston.
According to Fox Sports, negotiations recently stalled amid reports Preston was seeking approximately $800,000 per season. That could leave the rising back-rower open to approaches from the Chiefs and other clubs from November 1.
Matt Burton is another major name on Canterbury’s list. His future may depend on how the Bulldogs value him within their developing spine, particularly with Lachlan Galvin and Mitchell Woods viewed as important long-term playmakers.
Trbojevic Brothers Approach Open Market
All three Trbojevic brothers are currently due to come off contract at Manly at the end of 2027.
Jake may be nearing retirement, while Tom’s repeated hamstring injuries could make his next contract one of the most difficult decisions the Sea Eagles have faced. Ben Trbojevic, meanwhile, remains young enough to attract serious interest from rival clubs.
Manly must balance loyalty to its established stars with the emergence of Lehi Hopoate and Tolutau Koula as potential long-term options at fullback.
Why the PNG Chiefs Change Everything
The looming arrival of the PNG Chiefs has added an entirely new element to the market.
The expansion club will need to build a competitive roster quickly and could use tax-free salaries and commercial opportunities to lure some of the NRL’s biggest names. Fox Sports identified the Chiefs as a significant threat to clubs trying to retain elite talent, particularly Penrith, South Sydney and the Dolphins.
With a new broadcast agreement also expected to increase the salary cap, players may be willing to delay extensions and wait to see how much their value rises.
November 1 is still months away, but the pressure is already building. For several clubs, the contracts signed before that date could shape their premiership prospects for years to come.
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