The free agency window for 2027 is well underway, and one of the players who should be attracting plenty of interest ahead of a contract upgrade is South Sydney Rabbitohs halfback Jamie Humphreys.
The halfback, who can also line up at hooker, but made it clear during the most recent season that the number seven is his role moving forward, is off-contract with the Rabbitohs at the end of 2026.
Just 23 years of age, Humphreys joined South Sydney ahead of 2025 from the Manly Sea Eagles with frankly few expectations, but an excellent pre-season saw him win the number seven jumper, and it became clear as the campaign went on that he was their first-choice halfback.
Humphreys has always had the talent to become an NRL-level talent, and that is a view which is shared among scouts and fans on the Northern Beaches. They, of course, would have watched on with disappointment as he did it for another club.
Only injuries stopped Humphreys from having a properly fantastic season, with the Rabbitohs slumping well down the ladder in what was an injury crisis for much of the campaign.
Wayne Bennett and his recruitment staff will undoubtedly be keen to retain Humphreys, but his current deal with the Maroubra-based outfit is believed to only be worth about $150,000 per season.
That won't be nearly enough to keep him around, but there are also no prizes for guessing the state of the Rabbitohs' salary cap given other big-money deals for Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and others around the club.
If Humphreys does take his exit from South Sydney at the end of 2026, here are the clubs who could make a play for him.
6. Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have added Coby Black to their long-term plans, while Ethan Sanders is also at the club.
The duo will contest the number seven jersey heading into 2026, but the jury is still frankly out on both options.
Black being released by the Broncos despite being talked up as the future of the sport has raised eyebrows, while Sanders hasn't hit his potential in the nation's capital after moving from the Parramatta Eels.
The blue and gold at the time were exceptionally frustrated to lose Sanders, but right now, he hasn't looked likely to push for a permanent first-grade spot.
The Raiders, who have looked for an experienced option to replace Jamal Fogarty but struggled to find one, could still head in that direction for 2027.
Ethan Strange can shift out to the centres if they need to free up both the number six and seven jumper, and Humphreys is the sort of player the Green Machine should be taking a close look at.
Shane Flanagan said yesterday that the Dragons want “another half”.
So Humphreys and Anderson make sense as a half pairing. King Togia can play 6 when one of them is injured, with the other one playing 7.
Kyle takes over at hooker when Damien Cooke calls it a day, and until then he hones his hooker skills in NSW Cup. I’m sure Shane could sell that to his lad !
I can certainly see a world where all that would happen.
Did I say “Anderson”? Make that “Atkinson”.
So why did they not give Jonah Glover a chance if they are chasing a half???