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.
3. Melbourne Storm
The Storm have spent a fair bit of time clearing the decks in recent times. Jonah Pezet, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Ryan Papenhuyzen have all been let go.
That saves substantial money, and given Pezet was the backup, and Papenhuyzen will be replaced at the back by Sua Fa'alogo, it's clear where the Storm are going to be looking in terms of drafting new talent from around the NRL into the club.
It's clear the Storm are going to chase Fa'asuamaleaui, but there is a world where they turn around and have a crack at Koloamatangi as well.
Bellamy loves working with players whom he believes he can improve, but it has become clear that his tried and tested method of not signing big-money props from elsewhere is over.
He signed Stefano Utoikamanu from the Tigers as his last key free agency hit, and now could be looking for another big-name in the middle third for 2027.
