The PNG Chiefs are ready to make their presence felt in the NRL as it edges closer to the beginning of November, when players without a 2028 contract can speak to the expansion club due to the league's anti-tampering rules.
The Port Moresby-based outfit will join the NRL in 2028, and has made significant plays on the market since April this year, when they signed Jarome Luai as their inaugural signing.
Since then, they have recruited the greatest NRL try scorer of all time in Alex Johnston, English international Matty Lees, former NSW stars Zac Lomax and Connor Watson, and Penrith cult hero winger Brian To'o.
One of the biggest names who is expected to reach the November mark is Nathan Cleary, who has shown hesitance in extending with Penrith so far and is likely to see what offers are out there.
The Penrith halfback has already cemented himself as one of the best halves of all time, and will attract plenty of interest from rival clubs, which could see him sign a record-breaking, lucrative deal.
While the NRL's 19th expansion club aren't allowed to speak with Cleary for another three months, Chiefs boss Michael Chammas hinted the market will heat up swiftly before November, when players who are out of the finals race look to request permission to speak with rivals early to sort out their future.
“There are rules in place that prohibit us from talking about those guys contracted, and I want to respect it and not get fined,” Chammas said on Nine's 100% Footy.
“... there's a hit list of players we'll go after on November 1 but what we're finding is ... there's 24 spots left (on our 2028 roster), agents want to get in before November 1, so clubs that are finishing in three weeks' time are coming to us, agents (for players from those clubs) are coming to us and saying ‘if we get permission early, will you talk to us?'.
“We all thought November 1 would be (when we enter the market), but I feel the next few weeks is going to heat up when teams are out of contention. It helps the clubs as well trying to work out if (the players are) going to stay or not.”
Panthers approved To'o to speak early with the Chiefs in a seven-day window, which saw him put pen to paper so the club can remain focused on stealing back the premiership trophy in 2026.
The same can be said for Watson and Johnston, who were given special exemptions from their respective clubs to secure their long-term future.
Meanwhile, Lomax was outside of an NRL contract, making him a fitting candidate to chase and secure early for a 2028 return to the NRL.
The Chiefs have also been linked to Joseph Manu, who toured Port Moresby in July, which also doesn't fall under the NRL's anti-tampering rules as he is signed on a French rugby deal.
The Perth Bears will enter the competition next year, while the Chiefs will commence preseason training for the first time in November 2027.
