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.
Canberra Raiders
Current 2027 squad
Jayden Brailey, Sione Finau, Corey Horsburgh, Zac Hosking, Sebastian Kris, Myles Martin, Noah Martin, Trey Mooney, Matty Nicholson, Owen Pattie, Vena Patuki-Case, Ethan Sanders, Xavier Savage, Simi Sasagi, Tom Starling, Ethan Strange, Savelio Tamale, Joseph Tapine, Kaeo Weekes, Hudson Young
Current 2027 best 17
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Xavier Savage
3. Sebastian Kris
4. Savelio Tamale
5. Sione Finau
6. Ethan Strange
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Corey Horsburgh
9. Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Zac Hosking
12. Hudson Young
13. Matty Nicholson
Interchange
14. Owen Pattie
15. Myles Martin
16. Simi Sasagi
17. Trey Mooney
Not in 17: Jayden Brailey, Vena Patuki-Case, Noah Martin
Off-contract players
End of 2025: Corey Harawira-Naera, Albert Hopoate, Danny Levi, Jordan Martin, Josh Papalii
End of 2026: Michael Asomua, Jake Clydsdale, Adam Cook, Ata Mariota, Joe Roddy, Morgan Smithies, Manaia Waitere, Chevy Stewart (mutual option), Matthew Timoko (mutual option)
What needs doing
The biggest, most immediate questions for the Raiders actually surround their crop of currently off-contract players.
Albert Hopoate and Josh Papalii are the two most likely to stay. Papalii seems like he could potentially be signed to a one-year extension, while the jury is out on Hopoate, who has had a string of injury dramas with the Raiders squad, which is short on space for next year.
In the lead-up to November 1, there isn't a whole lot for the Raiders to do.
Ata Mariota could become a target given his enormous potential, but should the club go ahead with the widely reported release of Trey Mooney, then that will free up a spot for a prop long-term, and some money to get the job done.
Morgan Smithies is another player the Raiders may want to consider locking up prior to the November 1 deadline.
Smithies, an Englishman, has been fantastic in the middle third since joining the Canberra-based outfit, and could attract plenty of attention. Meanwhile, Sasagi can play multiple positions and was once rated as one of the most talented juniors in the game before injuries disrupted his progress in the Knights' junior pathways.
Outside of that trio, the Raiders can likely afford to be patient, with the likes of Michael Asomua, Jake Clydsdale, Adam Cook, Joe Roddy and Manaia Waitere all unlikely to be pursued quickly after November 1.
Adam Cook is the most NRL-experienced of the group, while Asomua has plenty of upside given his size and ball-running ability in the outside backs.
Sharks also have the (perennially injured) Kade Dykes off contract at the end of 2025