Most clubs are beginning to get close to a full squad for the 2027 NRL season, but there are still plenty of decisions to be made around the competition.
All up, there are about 120 spots left on Top 30s for next year, and that means there are numerous players with their futures yet to be secured.
They range from youngsters, to out of favour players, to some that will raise eyebrows.
While all the focus will be on those who will re-sign, or change clubs, there are some players who simply don't fit into club's plans moving forward.
This is the one player of each club's off-contract list who should not be re-signed for 2027 and beyond.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Matt Burton
Currently off-contract: Kade Dykes, Lipoi Hopoi, Samuel Hughes, Zyon Maiu'u, Kurt Mann, Jonathan Sua, Jack Todd, Jake Turpin, Patrick Young
Another club where we are going away from the current list of off-contract players, Canterbury have too many cooks in the kitchen.
Matt Burton is a player who has had his future under the microscope for much of the year, analysed from all angles.
The bottom line is he doesn't fit into Canterbury's system.
He is being paid too much to be a centre, isn't working in a halves combination with Lachlan Galvin, and adds to the distractions facing a club already under intense pressure.
Add that to the fact the club have been using Stephen Crichton in the halves, are yet to make a call on Sean O'Sullivan, and will be hoping to get a clean run of health for Mitchell Woods next year, and this becomes almost a no-brainer.
If a club like the Perth Bears want to come to the table for Burton, then Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo should be saying thankyou.
For Manly, the club would be better off retiring Tom and Jake, rather than sacking Ben.
Ben has played 18 matches this season.
Jake has played 19 matches, but it is accepted that his body is shot, and he is nowhere near as effective on field as he used to be.
Tom has played 9 matches for his $1.3million, and has chronic hamstring injuries.
Medically retire Tom and Jake and free up a couple of million dollars of salary cap. Give Ben the opportunity to leave if he doesn’t want to stay without his brothers.
The club can avoid any hurt feelings by sitting on its hands for twelve months until the Tom and Jake contracts expire, but given they are unlikely to play finals this year or next without a roster refresh, that is a poor strategy and a slap in the face for the fans.