The Cronulla Sharks will be one of the more intriguing clubs to follow off the field over the next 12 months as they make a number of big decisions regarding players coming off-contract.
The Sharks have been successful enough in recent seasons, but maybe not to the level they would have expected under Craig Fitzgibbon.
The common rhetoric prior to the arrival of Addin Fonua-Blake was that the side was one big-name prop away from a premiership, but that was proven throughout 2025 to be off the mark.
Now, it might be time to consider which way they go with their roster for 2027 and beyond, and potentially, letting a handful of players walk.
On one foot, the squad needs refresh, but on the other, salary cap is about to clamp down hard on the black, white and blue.
With November 1 now having come and gone, it's clear one of the players who will be negotiating their future likely with rival clubs is Jesse Ramien.
Today, we take a look at the clubs who could well wind up having a crack at his signature for 2027 and beyond.
6. The Dolphins
This is on the proviso that the Dolphins do lose some of their currently established talent in the backline during the ongoing free agency window.
If they don't, then making a play for Ramien is the last thing on their mind.
As it stands though, the club have Jake Averillo, Selwyn Cobbo, Max Feagai, Trai Fuller and Jamayne Isaako all able to negotiate with rival outfits.
That, in short leaves, a lot of work to do, and big decisions to make. With the Perth Bears entering the mix and a shake-up of the NRL landscape about to roll into gear, the chance of retaining all of them is slim.
Herbie Farnworth is locked up long-term, and they do have youngsters Tevita Naufahu and LJ Nonu in the system, but both are wingers more than they are centres, so the Dolphins could look at making a play for Ramien if the cards don't fall their way in the coming weeks.
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North Queensland Cowboys have needed some force in the outside backs ever since the absence of Valentine Holmes. They had been lacking the speed and strength of the Origin Representative and the combination on the left side of the field. Bringing in young guns like Jaxon Purdue, but then putting him into the halves when he was excelling in the centres, are decisions that may have cost the Cowboys their season. So maybe an extra outside back wont help them, maybe a new coach will.
If Josh Hannay intends to raid the Cronulla squad for guys he knows and with whom he would be comfortable, he would probably go for the two players that Cronulla see as the future centres: Chris Vea’ila and Michael Gabrael.
He could get either (or both). KL Iro is a fixture as a long-term centre so Ramien, Veaila and Gabrael are fighting for one spot. Ramien comes with the baggage of his father who acts as his manager. Veaila and Gabrael look like much better options for Mr Hannay.