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.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Current 2027 squad
Daniel Atkinson, Ryan Couchman, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Kyle Flanagan, Clint Gutherson, Jacob Halangahu, Valentine Holmes, Josh Kerr, Lyhkan King-Togia, Jacob Liddle, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Cryus Stanley-Traill, Moses Suli, Nick Tsougranis
Current 2027 best 17
1. Clint Gutherson
2. No player signed.
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. No player signed.
6. Lyhkan King-Togia
7. Daniel Atkinson
8. Toby Couchman
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Josh Kerr
11. Jacob Halangahu
12. Dylan Egan
13. Ryan Couchman
Interchange
14. Kyle Flanagan
15. Nick Tsougranis
16. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
17. Cyrus Stanley-Traill
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Corey Allan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Viliami Fifita, David Klemmer, Michael Molo (mutual option)
End of 2026: Damien Cook, Mathew Feagai, Emre Guler, Lachlan Ilias, Blake Lawrie, Nathan Lawson, Luciano Leilua, Mikaele Ravalawa, Hame Sele, Tyrell Sloan, Hamish Stewart (player option), Jaydn Su'A (player option), Christian Tuipulotu
What needs doing
Despite having an almost full best 17 for 2027, the Dragons still have a stack of decisions to make on players off-contract at the end of next year.
The most pressing issue should be to sort out the futures of Hamish Stewart and Jaydn Su'A, who both have player options.
It means they can both hit the open market on November 1 if they so choose, but the Red V's recruitment staff should sit down with those players and offer them new deals altogether.
Luciano Leilua is the other player in that back-row equation, but with other players emerging at the club, he could well be let go.
Damien Cook's future will also shape which route the Dragons go, although all indications are that he will probably retire at the end of 2026.
Elsewhere, Tyrell Sloan and Christian Tuipulotu could both be allowed to depart, although at this stage the Dragons have no wingers contracted for 2027. Cody Ramsey could fill the void in one of those spots sooner rather than later as he continues his return from debilitating illness via reserve grade.
The remainder of the names on the list are unlikely to be attacked straight away, although what happens with Mathew Feagai and Nathan Lawson in the backline will be one to watch.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025