The NRL's "silly season" is nearing full swing.
In just over two months, every player off-contract at the end of 2026 will be able to negotiate with rival clubs.
The ever-changing landscape of NRL contracts, with players signing with rivals or negotiating with them, means that we could well see players changing clubs in November for 2027, despite a full season still to run on their current deals.
That is simply the nature of the beast.
We have run the rule over where every club stands ahead of November 1, their current 2027 squads, the players they need to lock up, and the players who are likely to hit the open market.
With the Perth Bears to enter the competition as well, hitting the open market with a blank cheque book and 30 spots to fill, it's going to be the biggest free agency scramble since the arrival of the Dolphins.
Here is the rundown for your club's needs over the next ten weeks.
You can use the drop-down menu to navigate by club.
Parramatta Eels
Current 2027 squad
Tallyn Da Silva, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, J'maine Hopgood, Isaiah Iongi, Kitione Kautoga, William Latu, Zac Lomax, Luca Moretti, Mitchell Moses, Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani, Bailey Simonsson, Ryley Smith, Sam Tuivaiti, Jack Williams
Current 2027 best 17
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Zac Lomax
3. Jordan Samrani
4. Bailey Simonsson
5. No player signed.
6. Joash Papalii
7. Mitchell Moses
8. No player signed.
9. Ryley Smith
10. Jack Williams
11. Kitione Kautoga
12. Luca Moretti
13. J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
16. William Latu
17. No player signed.
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Haze Dunster, Wiremu Greig, Dan Keir, Joey Lussick, Saxon Pryke (mutual option)
End of 2026: Josh Addo-Carr, Jack de Belin (club option), Matt Doorey, Charlie Guymer, Brendan Hands, Dean Hawkins, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Richard Penisini, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Kelma Tuilagi, Ronald Volkman
What needs doing
The Eels certainly have some decisions to make in the lead-up to, and likely after, November 1.
None of them seem overly pressing, though, with a squad that will likely be looking for even more of a refresh under the coaching of Jason Ryles, who has made it very clear things will be done on his terms in the west of Sydney since taking over ahead of the 2025 season.
Maybe the biggest decisions they will need to make surround their backline, with Josh Addo-Carr, Will Penisini and Sean Russell all set to hit November 1 as free agents.
None scream that they are going to be chased by a heap of clubs straight away, though, potentially with the exception of Penisini, so they potentially have some time up their sleeve to work out the way forward.
The rest of the players on the list are also not immediate decision-makers, although Charlie Guymer, following his release request at one point, is a star of the future and will be a player the club is keen to retain for the future.
Ryan Matterson will likely be the other storyline for the blue and gold. Currently on loan in England, he simply didn't fit into Ryles' plans this year.
Being signed before November 1 seems long odds, but other clubs could well have a look at Matterson, given the upside of his game when he is fit and firing.
Toni Mataele and Matt Doorey appear to be the other two players with big decisions to be made in the coming months, while Will Penisini's brother, Richard, is also a player with a big future if he can stay fit.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025