The Sydney Roosters have just nine players contracted for 2025, and a number of important, potentially club and future-defining decisions to make.
As it stands on November 1, Trent Robinson's side has decisions to make on 12 players coming off-contract at the end of 2024, not to mention a handful of players they still need to sign for 2024 that may only be included on one-year contracts.
What is clear is that for Joseph Manu - who is one of the biggest names off-contract - the Roosters will need to hope the lure of winning games is enough, given they won't be able to offer him as much money, or the same position on the park as rivals.
The likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Daniel Tupou are also off-contract at the end of 2024 and approaching the end of their careers, while Angus Crichton has a big call to make.
Then there is the pack of young forwards. Siua Wong, Nat Butcher and Terrell May - the Roosters will be desperate to re-sign all three, but money may be an issue.
Brandon Smith's player option that he may or may not take is another issue.
In this series, Zero Tackle are running the rule over every NRL team's state of play for 2025 and the players they need to target in free agency.
Current squad for 2025
Egan Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Tyler Moriarty, Victor Radley, James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Sam Walker, Dominic Young
Current best 17 for 2025
1. James Tedesco
2. Dominic Young
3. Robert Toia
4. No player signed.
5. No player signed.
6. No player signed.
7. Sam Walker
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Tyler Moriarty
10. Spencer Leniu
11. Egan Butcher
12. No player signed.
13. Victor Radley
14. No player signed.
15. No player signed.
16. No player signed.
17. No player signed.
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Nat Butcher, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Terrell May, Lewis Murphy, Brandon Smith (player option), Sandon Smith, Joseph Suaalii, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong
Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Roosters could target for 2025 and beyond.
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
5. Jake Simpkin
The Roosters are likely going to be waiting for an answer from Brandon Smith for some time, and young gun hooker Tyler Moriarty is also at the club.
That said, they aren't going to be able to walk out to the open market and sign a big-name, big-money dummy half option.
Instead, they need someone who can fill the role, and run around in the middle third of the park at lock forward if needed. Jake Simpkin fits all of that criteria.
He has served strongly behind Apisai Koroisau at the Panthers, and while it's unclear whether he would switch clubs to fill a similar role, learning from Trent Robinson and the coaching staff at Bondi could be the best thing for his career.
