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
7. Briton Nikora
I don't think the Sharks are all that keen on re-signing Briton Nikora following a poor 2026 season. Sometimes a change is as good as a holiday.
The Tigers were all in on Nikora before he re-signed with the Sharks so that's an easy link. The Storm are looking for fresh options while he could join former teammate Sifa Talakai at the Bears.
Nikora obviously wants to test his value, and has always played his best footy when off-contract so the Sharks still have time. A very realistic target all the same.
