Clubs racing against June 30 transfer clock

The NRL's new contracting system is putting teams under the pump to get their top-30 squads finalised by the June 30 deadline.

The players' union reportedly met with several recruiting managers last Friday according to The Australian, to discuss the new system as well as the prospect of giving club more freedom to utilise players from their development lists.

With teams still struggling to get their lists sorted prior to Saturday's deadline, the players' union will assemble a committee to review how effective the new system has been this season.

The current rules permit sides to only choose players from their first-grade squads, and must apply for special exemptions to pick external players.

Manly is one team that are unhappy with the current rules, after their application to upgrade young hooker Manase Fainu for out-of-favour five-eighth Jackson Hastings their first-grade squad was denied.

The Sea Eagles and the Bulldogs are expected to be the busiest teams this week as they look to unload salary following disappointing 2018 campaigns.

Hastings may go, despite reportedly knocking back offers to join the English Super League, while prop Lloyd Perrett could also be forced out with several clubs, including Penrith circling.

Forward Shaun Lane has already signed with the Eels, and rival teams are keeping an eye on the availability of front-rower Martin Taupau. There were rumours last week of a potential Taupau for Parramatta five-eighth Corey Norman swap, although they were quickly shut down.

Considering Taupau's lucrative contract, there is still every chance that Manly deals him by Saturday's cut-off date.

The Bulldogs also have big decisions to make, and none greater than what they do with prop Aaron Woods. The Sharks are keen on the 27-year old, as well as Canterbury centre Josh Morris, but the Bulldogs have placed hefty price tags on both players.

Woods will travel with the team to face the Knights in Newcastle this week despite the uncertainty surrounding his future. And despite the new system being implemented to cause less chaos, a lot of movement could happy between now and Saturday.