November 1 is less than four months away, with teams around the competition already well into forward planning over what their squad will look like for years to come.
Inevitably, November 1 is the day that will draw the most attention, with players off-contract at the end of the following year able to begin negotiating with rival clubs from then.
While some clubs hold off on making decisions as they weigh up a player's future, there are some players off-contract at the end of 2027 who will receive multiple offers - and big ones - if they are not re-signed by their current club before they can negotiate.
That situation is even trickier heading into next year given the PNG Chiefs enter the competition in 2028, and while they have already managed a handful of signings are various loopholes, most of their squad - and tax-free salary cap - will be available to be spent from November 1.
As it stands, here is the player every club in the NRL must lock down before we tick on into November.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Tallis Duncan
The Rabbitohs have one of the longer lists off-contract at the end of 2027, and there are some big names among it.
While David Fifita, Campbell Graham and Latrell Mitchell are the headline acts, it's Tallis Duncan who has quietly become one of the club's best.
He is going to be an Origin player in the next few years almost certainly, and should be the future of the Maroubra-based club.
If he gets to November 1 though, his abilities, consistency and versatility to play centre or second-row will see plenty of teams enter the race for his services.
It's critical Souths get him locked up, and do it now.
Currently off-contract at end of 2027: Euan Aitken, Tallis Duncan, David Fifita, Thomas Fletcher, Bronson Garlick, Jonah Glover, Campbell Graham, Matthew Humphries, Elijah Keung, Edward Kosi, Peter Mamouzelos, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Munro, Talanoa Penitani, Latrell Siegwalt, Brandon Smith, Jayden Sullivan, Isaiah Tass, Jack Wighton
