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.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Current 2027 squad
Euan Aitken, Jai Arrow, Lewis Dodd, Tallis Duncan, Bronson Garlick, Jonah Glover, Campbell Graham, Lachlan Hubner, Alex Johnston, Edward Kosi, Peter Mamouzelos, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Munro, Cameron Murray, Brandon Smith, Isaiah Tass, Tevita Tatola, Jack Wighton, Matthew Humphries, Talanoa Penitani, Elijah Keung
Current 2027 best 17
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Campbell Graham
4. Isaiah Tass
5. Tyrone Munro
6. Jack Wighton
7. Jonah Glover
8. Jai Arrow
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Tallis Duncan
12. Euan Aitken
13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
14. Bronson Garlick
15. Elijah Keung
16. Lachlan Hubner
17. Edward Kosi
Not in 17: Lewis Dodd, Matthew Humphries, Talanoa Penitani
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Thomas Fletcher, Siliva Havili, Jacob Host, Ben Lovett, Shaquai Mitchell, Davvy Moale, Mikaele Ravalawa, Josh Schuster, Jayden Sullivan, Cody Walker
End of 2026: Gerome Burns, Moala Graham-Taufa, Sean Keppie, Liam Le Blanc, Max McCarthy, Salesi Ataata (club option)
What needs doing
The Rabbitohs look to have their house well in order as they head to November 1.
18 players are already locked in for 2027, although that is likely to change with the expected departure of Lewis Dodd.
They will need to work on the balance of their side a little bit and bring in some forwards, but that could be addressed in the interim with Jacob Host and Davvy Moale among the players still off-contract at the end of this season.
Should the duo re-sign as expected on more than one-year deals, that will take them to single-digit spots left available for 2027.
Of the current off-contract list, none will be attacked immediately from November 1. This means the Rabbitohs, once they lock in their squad for 2026 with Cody Walker also currently still off-contract, will be able to sit on their hands for some time.
That will allow them to monitor the market, and then pursue as they see fit to improve a squad that, if it stays healthy, could be back in the mix near the top of the table under the coaching of Wayne Bennett over the coming seasons.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025