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.
Penrith Panthers
Current 2027 squad
Paul Alamoti, Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Casey McLean, Jesse McLean, Isaiah Papali'i, Luron Patea, Billy Phillips, Billy Scott, Izack Tago, Blaize Talagi, Brian To'o, Isaah Yeo
Current 2027 best 17
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Casey McLean
3. Paul Alamoti
4. Izack Tago
5. Brian To'o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Luron Patea
11. Liam Martin
12. Isaiah Papali'i
13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange
14. Jesse McLean
15. Billy Scott
16. Billy Phillips
17. No player signed.
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Harrison Hassett, Daine Laurie, Soni Luke, Riley Price, Preston Riki, Luke Sommerton
End of 2026: Jack Cole, Matthew Eisenhuth, Luke Garner, Liam Henry, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Trent Toelau
What needs doing
The Panthers' list of players remaining off-contract at the end of 2025 is almost as big as the list for the players off-contract at the end of 2026.
That means, numerically, there isn't a lot to do, but the quality of players renders that point as moot as any other around the competition in the lead-up to November 1.
While they have some more immediate decisions to make on players off-contract at the end of this year, such as Harrison Hassett, Riley Price, Preston Riki, and Luke Sommerton, the attention must shift to November 1.
While there is speculation that Luke Garner will likely leave at the end of his contract, the focus should be on Liam Henry, Lindsay Smith, and Scott Sorensen.
The trio of forwards have played a critical role in Penrith's success, and their drive up the NRL ladder this year.
You can't win games in this competition without a strong forward pack, and the trio are a major part of the nucleus of that.
Smith, in particular, will be a target if he isn't signed by November 1. You could see Perth coming to the table and ensuring his market value skyrockets very quickly.
Jack Cole is a player they'll need to make a decision on. He was once seen as the future of the club, whether that be in the halves or the centres, but with the loss of Jarome Luai to the Wests Tigers, he has actively fallen backwards in the pecking order.
Trent Toelau is the other youngster whom they may need to act quickly on if they want to retain.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025