November 1 has come and gone, and that means over 170 players are now free to negotiate with rival clubs.
While we wait for the action and cool-off periods to really heat up, Zero Tackle will spend the next couple of weeks exploring the clubs that must make plays for the biggest names on the open market.
One of the biggest who could well switch clubs is Keaon Koloamatangi.
The forward, who has become one of the best props in the game after Wayne Bennett shuffled him into the middle third during 2025 from the second row, has reportedly demanded about $900,000 for his services beyond the end of 2026.
The Rabbitohs will undoubtedly make a play for their star forward, but there is no guarantee they have the salary cap to go with rival clubs, with a large chunk of their 2027 squad already locked away, leaving little in the way of wiggle room.
Here are the clubs outside of the Maroubra-based outfit who will likely come in hot for Koloamatangi.
2. St George Illawarra Dragons
Some have suggested the most likely club to land a big-name front-rower - whether that be Koloamatangi or even Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - is the Canterbury Bulldogs.
I suspect that is wildly off the mark, given that club's salary cap situation and the impending arrival of Leo Thompson.
One club who do have a fair bit of cash to burn, and is also in desperate need of a forward pack leader, are the St George Illawarra Dragons.
While the Dragons are likely to enter the race for Fa'asuamaleaui, they could do a lot worse than save a little bit of cash and sign Koloamatangi from their cross-town rivals.
The Dragons have a great crop of young forwards coming through, led by Toby Couchman and Loko Pasifiki Tonga in the middle, but they need guidance and experience to lead the way.
