The Cronulla Sharks are set to compete with rivals this off-season for the signature of Teig Wilton, with their back-rower expected to go to the open market when November 1 rolls around.
Wilton has been one of the Sharks' most reliable forwards and will look around the competition for the best deal.
Andrew Purcell, Wilton's agent, revealed why the forward will assess his options first before making a decision.
“Teig loves the club, and they want him to stay, but at 26 and after signing with the club early for his seven years there, it's time for him to think of his future and see what his market value is,” Purcell explained to WWOS.
“There are plenty of clubs that need back-rowers, so we will see what happens.”
Several Sharks players are set to leave at the end of the season, and with the club hoping to win a premiership and keep their best players, the recruitment period will be of significant importance.
Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa will pair up again heading to the North Queensland Cowboys on two-year deals, while Cameron McInnes heads to the Super League and Siosifa Talakai joins the inaugural Perth Bears roster for 2027.
Wilton, who has played 125 games for the club, has achieved a career-high in tries scored and matched his career-best offloads in a single season in 2026.
The second-rower has also made 6 line breaks in 19 appearances, one shy of tying his best from the 2024 season.
Joining Wilton in the open market from November 1 are Thomas Dellow, Michael Gabrael, Liam Ison, Oregon Kaufusi, William Kennedy, Briton Nikora and Riley Pollard.
After back-to-back seasons making the preliminary final and being short of a Grand Final appearance, expectations are high within the Sharks organisation, and it has become premiership or bust for them.
The Sharks sit fifth on the ladder, only two points behind the Dolphins, hoping to be in the top four after their matches against the Parramatta Eels this Sunday afternoon and then the Melbourne Storm in the last round.
