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.
Melbourne Storm: Cameron Munster
The Storm were one of the tougher clubs to work out with a small off-contract list that features a handful of stars with uncertain futures.
Unfortunately, it's still unclear whether second-rower Eliesa Katoa will ever play again, while Xavier Coates last contract only being to the end of 2027 makes him a prime candidate for the PNG Chiefs.
The Storm then look at Cameron Munster and Stefano Utoikamanu.
As much as Munster's career is winding down, he still has plenty to offer and will go out on his own terms.
He is unlikely to be ready for that at the end of 2027, and with a changing of the guard in the head coaching chair at some point in the next 12 to 24 months, Munster sticking around to be a leader of the squad is maybe just as important as anything he will do on the field for the Victorian squad.
Currently off-contract at end of 2027: Xavier Coates, Jack Howarth, Eliesa Katoa, Josh King, Ativalu Lisati, Cameron Munster, Josiah Pahulu, Stefano Utoikamanu, Manaia Waitere
