The NRL silly season has officially arrived!
Although the 2026 NRL season has only just wrapped up, teams (and fans) are already looking toward 2028.
From today, a plethora of incredible talent is officially off-contract and discussions can be held for 2028 and beyond.
I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest that this is the best crop of talent to come off-contract in many years.
RELATED: NOVEMBER 1 NRL CONTRACT BIBLE
Below we have named the top 12 targets for teams to target from today. We have tried to keep the targets realistic and thus have excluded the players reported to re-sign soon. Of course things change and any of these players could also end up leaving.
All the players below have either been linked elsewhere or have reportedly opted to test the market. Thus we believe they are realistic targets.
The list of talent who did not make the list is ridiculous. Says a lot about the players who are listed below.
Here are the top 12 players to target from November first.
Not considered: Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell, Xavier Willison, David Fifita, Victor Radley
11. Liam Martin
Penrith, NSW and Australia's first choice right sided second rower is reportedly going to attract plenty of interest. Obviously, you can see why.
I actually think he'll stay at Penrith, which is why his name isn't higher here, but the fact the Sharks, Broncos and Raiders have been linked, maybe it's not as certain as I thought.
Martin will be 31 by the time the 2028 season kicks off which makes him a prime candidate for a big, two or three year deal. Watch this space.
