Bunnies’ big Latrell call will send centre market into a frenzy
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With Latrell Mitchell heading to NRL market on November 1, the Rabbitohs are bracing for the possibility of losing their $1.1 million marquee star and the NRL’s centre market is about to explode.
The sheer volume of elite centres coming off contract means the Bunnies could realistically replace him with someone younger, fitter, or simply better suited to their long-term roster strategy.
Latrell Mitchell and Herbie Farnworth are coming off contract. Getty
They were in no rush to table an extension after Mitchell’s injury-interrupted 2026 campaign, where back and calf issues restricted him to just 11 games, and only totalling 34 appearances across the past three seasons.
He is comfortable waiting, and the club is comfortable letting him, but that hesitation has opened the door for the Eels, Bears, Dragons, and Tigers as potential destinations should he leave the Rabbitohs.
On Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth, Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler also suggested the Titans might have both the salary cap space, and the need for a game breaker of Mitchell’s calibre.
The State of Origin star will almost certainly need to take a pay cut if he stays at the burrow.
Payne Haas’ arrival has reshaped the Rabbitohs’ salary cap, and Mitchell’s recent injury history has created genuine debate over whether his next deal should be a reduced extension or a lucrative external offer.
Mitchell is not the only concern. A prominent South Sydney group are looking to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 with Campbell Graham, Jack Wighton, Isaiah Tass and rising talent Talanoa Penitani. The club is facing a complete backline rebuild.
Herbie Farnworth is the most valuable centre on the market come November, and the player most likely to trigger a bidding war.
Given his status as the best centre in the game, the Dolphins star could easily command upwards of $1 million a season.
Linked loosely to the Roosters (a rumour both Farnworth and Dolphins CEO Terry Reader have dismissed), the 26‑year‑old has paused negotiations to focus on finals. But once talks resume, the Dolphins will need to fend off multiple clubs preparing to table multimillion‑dollar offers.
Farnworth joined Redcliffe on a three‑year deal worth roughly $700,000 annually. His form has since exploded, prompting the club to upgrade him into the $1 million bracket.
Mitchell and Farnworth are far from the only elite centres coming off contract at the end of October.
Bradman Best of the Knights. NRL Images
Newcastle wrecking ball Bradman Best is one of the best three-quarters in the game when fit. He’s an Origin representative currently thought to be earning about $700,000 from the Knights, and recently knocked back an extension offer from the club.
Some clubs believe he is worth seven figures. Newcastle know they must increase their offer or risk losing him.
The Knights are already losing veteran centre Dane Gagai, who is heading north to the Broncos, adding further pressure to retain Best.
Valentine Holmes’ future is the most unpredictable. With an extensive resume, the rep star and premiership winner signed with the Dragons on a three‑year, $2.5 million deal through 2027, but where he lands beyond that remains unclear.
Holmes admitted his form had dipped earlier in the season, but after revisiting highlights of his peak years, he responded with a resurgence, including a two‑try performance that snapped the Dragons’ long winless streak against Brisbane.
Beyond those headline names, the centre market is stacked with established talent and NRL-ready prospects who will be fighting for big dollars from clubs looking to stack their backline.
Jack Howarth, Seb Kris, Jack Wighton, Billy Smith, and Moses Suli are among the 30-odd centres about to come off contract.
Broncos speedster and former Australian Schoolboys representative Deine Mariner made his NRL debut in 2022 and has played 64 NRL games since. A breakout in 2024 saw him finish as the club’s top try-scorer, and he backed it up with another strong campaign in 2025. The Samoan international recently agreed to a million‑plus extension through 2027 and will enter the open market on November 1. At 23, he is considered Brisbane’s best centre prospect since Justin Hodges and Steve Renouf.
Casey McLean confirmed to ESPN that his older brother Jesse will leave Penrith for Belmore at season’s end, a timely signing for the Bulldogs as they lose Marcelo Montoya and Bronson Xerri, opening a potential starting role in 2027.
Centres off contract come November 1
Bradman Best, Hayden Buchanan, Kahu Capper, Herbie Farnworth, Max Feagai, Michael Gabrael, Dane Gagai, Campbell Graham, Patrick Herbert, Valentine Holmes, Jack Howarth, Riley Jones, Josiah Karapani, Brian Kelly, Asu Kepaoa, Sebastian Kris, Zac Laybutt, Ali Leiataua, Deine Mariner, Latrell Mitchell, Araz Nanva, LJ Nonu, Talanoa Penitani, Jordan Samrani, Billy Smith, Moses Suli, Isaiah Tass, Aublix Tawha, Manaia Waitere, Jack Wighton
