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.
The Dolphins
Current 2027 squad
Jack Bostock, Kurt Donoghoe, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Tom Gilbert, Isaiya Katoa, Morgan Knowles, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tevita Naufahu, LJ Nonu, Max Plath, Elijah Rasmussen, Sebastian Su'a, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Current 2027 best 17
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jack Bostock
3. Tevita Naufahu
4. No player signed.
5. LJ Nonu
6. John Fineanganofo
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Elijah Rasmussen
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Sebastian Su'a
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
Interchange
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Morgan Knowles
16. No player signed.
17. No player signed.
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Kenneath Bromwich, Harrison Graham, Felise Kaufusi, Mark Nicholls, Sean O'Sullivan, Michael Waqa, Ryan Jackson (club option)
End of 2026: Jake Averillo, Selwyn Cobbo, Max Feagai, Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako, Oryn Keeley, Connelly Lemuelu, Francis Molo, Kodi Nikorima, Brad Schneider, Ray Stone, James Walsh, Daniel Saifiti (player option)
What needs doing
The Dolphins have some intriguing questions to answer about their plan forward over the coming months.
That is particularly so when it comes to the middle third of the park, as well as their back five.
While Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jack Bostock are locked in, they will be waiting for the arrival of Selwyn Cobbo to understand the impact he has on the squad. However, they could do worse than locking up Jake Averillo and goal-kicker Jamayne Isaako before November 1.
In the middle of the park, it's likely that a changing of the guard will be taking place. None of Kenneath Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi or Mark Nicholls, all of whom are currently uncontracted for 2026, are going to be carrying on into 2027.
That means they need money to raid the open market, although if they can get Francis Molo and Ray Stone at reasonable prices, then they would be handy re-signings. Likely, though, they aren't decisions they need to rush into prior to the November 1 deadline.
Kodi Nikorima is another question that needs to be answered, but again, it may not be urgent.
Oryn Keeley and Connelly Lemuelu are the others off-contract, with Lemuelu's form and cheap price likely making him an enticing option for rivals once the calendar ticks over to November 1 if he remains uncontracted for 2027.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025