More than four months removed from November 1, there are still 136 NRL currently Top 30 contracted NRL players without a club to call home for 2027.
The Perth Bears still have more than half of their inaugural Top 30 to fill, and most clubs are in need of players, whether re-signed or otherwise, to complete their look and feel for 2027.
When you run the rule over the list of players who remain off-contract at the end of 2026, there is still a mountain of talent available.
Taking into account the likely value to a rival club - age, talent and potential included (for example, Cody Walker has been left out as he approaches the end of his career) - here are the Top 20 players to remain without a contract for 2027.
Click here for the full list of off-contract players at the end of 2026
Siua Wong was originally named in this list, however, it has since emerged he has re-signed with the Roosters during the off-season.
5. William Kennedy (Cronulla Sharks)
There is no surprise that there are plenty of Sharks on this list. The Shire-based club have a staggering amount of players off-contract at the end of the year, and players themselves have admitted this year could be the end of their premiership window.
Kennedy is one such player off-contract and likely to depart.
There is no mistaking the Sharks' salary cap issues - they run deep, and the club will not be able to retain all the players off-contract. Frankly, nor will they want to, particularly if this season doesn't deliver a premiership.
Kennedy, who is backed up by Liam Ison in the Shire, will likely be one to move on, whether it be to another club in Sydney, the Perth Bears, or even the English Super League.
The later is only an option because the fullback position is stacked around the NRL. It doesn't mean Kennedy isn't good. He is, at his best, probably in the top half, but he comes off-contract at a tricky and unfavourable time.
He signed a one-year deal to stay with the Sharks for 2026 on a redcued wage, but it's unlikely he will do the same again.
Some interesting reading there, particularly in the way you have rated them.
I wouldn’t have expected Purdue to be #1, or Taulagi at #4
To me it’s all about potential upside… What does a player provide over the terms of their next deal. Can’t see too many doing more than Purdue on this list.