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.
Sydney Roosters
Current 2027 squad
Rex Bassingthwaighte, Egan Butcher, Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Jake Elliott, Salesi Foketi, Benaiah Ioelu, Spencer Leniu, Taylor Losalu, Junior Pauga, Victor Radley, Reece Robson, Toby Rodwell, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Junior Tupou, De La Salle Va'a, Sam Walker, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Itula Seve
Current 2027 best 17
1. Rex Bassingthwaighte
2. Junior Pauga
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Junior Tupou
6. Toby Rodwell
7. Sam Walker
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Reece Robson
10. Spencer Leniu
11. Naufahu Whyte
12. Victor Radley
13. Connor Watson
Interchange
14. Benaiah Ioelu
15. Egan Butcher
16. Salesi Foketi
17. De La Salle Va'a
Not in 17: Jake Elliott, Nat Butcher, Taylor Losalu, Itula Seve
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Zach Dockar-Clay, Tyler Moriarty
End of 2026: Angus Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Blake Steep, James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Xavier Va'a, Siua Wong, Hugo Savala, Reece Foley
What needs doing
Not all that much.
The Roosters have 20 players already locked in for 2027, a far cry from their usual wait-and-see approach, where they have often run through the middle of a season with about that many players contracted for the following campaign.
That being said, there are still some significant questions to answer, although perhaps not overly pressing ones.
Angus Crichton is the player most likely to be pursued by rival clubs or rugby union if he arrives at November 1 without a new deal. He was recently linked with Rugby 360, although, for what it's worth, played a dead bat when asked about it.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is in a similar spot, although it seems his options are the Roosters or another rugby union club, rather than considering an NRL switch. Stranger things have happened, but the tri-colours would be confident they are only competing against the 15-man code there.
James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou are the other big names available from November 1, but the chance of either leaving the Roosters (or, frankly, playing on past retirement), seems slim to none.
The rest of the group is led by Siua Wong, who could well be a target for rivals given his form, so there may be some urgency there for the Roosters to get a deal done.
Young forwards Xavier Va'a and Blake Steep are the others that need to be addressed, while it appears almost certain Sandon Smith will leave.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025