The North Queensland Cowboys have confirmed 12 player departures at the end of 2026, with Todd Payten's side undergoing an enormous clean-out after their finals elimination at the hands of the Cronulla Sharks over the weekend.
Of the departing group, the Cowboys' confirmation means the exits of Kai O'Donnell, Jaxson Paulo and Murray Taulagi have been confirmed alongside a host of players who had previously been locked in to new endeavours.
None of O'Donnell, Paulo or Taulagi has confirmed new deals at this stage, although it's believed O'Donnell and Paulo will head to the English Super League.
Taulagi, on the other hand, had been linked with the Sydney Roosters for much of the year, where it appeared a deal was all but over the line.
It was recently reported, however, that he will now switch codes and try his hand at rugby union overseas.
The Cowboys too spent much of the year with a deal on the table for Taulagi, but infuriated with the pace of proceedings, withdrew it and ensured he wouldn't be in Townsville next year.
Elsewhere, Mason Barber will join the Perth Bears alongside Zac Herdegen, while John Bateman heads back to the English Super League with the Bradford Bulls.
The club's main attacking weapon, Scott Drinkwater, has agreed to join the St George Illawarra Dragons, and Harrison Edwards left mid-season to join the Parramatta Eels.
Matthew Lodge also finished up early and has finished 2026 in England, but is set to return to Australia for 2027, where it's understood at least two clubs are interested.
Sam McIntyre will join the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the year, while Wiremu Greig will head to the Townsville Blackhawks in the QLD Cup after being unable to secure a new NRL deal.
Viliami Vailea is the other confirmed departure, despite having a contract that ran until the end of 2027.
It's understood that, like fellow Cowboys outside back Murray Taulagi, he will head to rugby union overseas.
Officially, only one player in Mason Kira remains with an undetermined future, given he wasn't listed in the list of player departures, but is also yet to sign a new contract beyond the end of this year.
Sources indicated recently that he will also depart the club, though, likely taking the exit list to 13.
The Cowboys have made just three signings for next year in Joe Chan, Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien, and still have the equal most list spots available in the competition as they build for 2027.
While the club could make more signings - and will likely need to - there are also a host of young players they may look to promote, with Xavier Kerrisk, Ethan King, Ronald Philitoga, Liam Sutton and Matthew Watts all on the development list but uncontracted for next year, while Archie Mesritz and Fanafou Seve are both highly rated and join the development list next year.
