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.
Cronulla Sharks: Teig Wilton
This is an absolute no-brainer for Craig Fitzgibbon and his recruitment staff in the Shire.
The Sharks might be in the midst of something of a squad refresh at the end of this year and heading into 2027, but there is little to no doubt Teig Wilton should be a big part of their plans.
He doesn't get the credit that some of the competition's other big-name second-rowers receive, but that's not to say he isn't very, very good at his job.
You could argue he isn't all that far behind the representative players, and is one of Cronulla's most consistent performers.
You could make an argument that Liam Ison or Michael Gabrael are also important to get locked up, but the youngsters probably have a bit more wiggle room when it comes to the date other clubs will start negotiating compared to Wilton.
Currently off-contract at end of 2027: Thomas Dellow, Michael Gabrael, Liam Ison, Oregon Kaufusi, William Kennedy, Briton Nikora, Riley Pollard, Teig Wilton
