Harsh reality facing finalists as NRL contract chaos laid bare

As six NRL clubs vie for premiership glory in the coming weeks, up to 71 players are also running out onto the field with uncertain futures.

For some, that’s in the short-term, with some experienced players from the Sharks and Roosters among those without a contract for 2027.

For others, including the game’s best player Nathan Cleary, they enter the final three weeks of the season with the November free agency period looming large.

Cleary will have no shortage of options should he look to test his value on the open market, with the PNG Chiefs among those likely to chase him.

The champion Panthers halfback could earn upwards of $1.5 million and it might take his current club splashing that amount to keep Cleary.

The four-time premiership winner isn’t the only high-profile playmaker entering the semis, prelims or grand final with an uncertain future.

Roosters halfback Sam Walker paused negotiations with the club leading into September, before suffering an ankle injury in round 25.

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Walker is expected back if the Roosters advance past this weekend’s clash with the Sharks and his asking price could go up or down pending those results.

He isn’t the only Chooks player with a decision to make in November either, as captain James Tedesco among those unsigned beyond 2027.

Tedesco is widely expected to retire once his deal finishes, Spencer Leniu has been heavily linked with a move to Parramatta, while the likes of Salesi Foketi and Billy Smith may require a bump to their current salaries after strong seasons.

Penrith are another club with a litany of big names off-contract including Cleary’s long-time co-captain Isaah Yeo, back-rower Liam Martin and young backline utlity Blaize Talagi, who has seemingly fallen out of favour late in the year.

Yeo and Martin both appear poised to extend their deals with the Panthers, but the uncertainty around both Cleary and Talagi remains.

Sharks forward Briton Nikora could attract plenty of interest, while teammate Teig Wilton is expected to test the waters once he can.

Newcastle have enjoyed an extreme turnaround from the wooden spoon to the finals, but it could come at a cost with Bradman Best set to come off-contract.

Best told 9News Sydney this week that he was in “no rush” to re-sign with the Knights, despite spending his entire career to date with the club.

But perhaps the most nervous club going into November 1 will be the high-flying Dolphins, who are through to a maiden prelim final in their fourth season.

Kristian Woolf’s three most dangerous attacking weapons – Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jack Bostock – are all unsigned for 2028 as it stands and it’s difficult to imagine a world where all three remain with the Dolphins.

Farnworth has been linked with the Roosters for months, while Bostock would have no shortage of suitors including St George Illawarra – the same club that allowed him to walk and move to Redcliffe as a teenager – and if both men continue to shine on the big stages, their value will only skyrocket further.

That’s not even mentioning enforcer Tom Flegler, in-form winger Selwyn Cobbo and strike back-rowers Kulikefu Finefeuiakiand Connelly Lemuelu, who could all potentially end up being November targets for rival NRL clubs.

Sometimes, as the Panthers have learned over the years, the price you pay for success comes on the salary cap and the Dolphins may be dealt that same reality.

NRL finals players off-contract (2027)

Sharks: Briton Nikora, Liam Ison, Oregon Kaufusi, Riley Jones, Teig Wilton, Thomas Dellow, Will Kennedy

Dolphins: Connelly Lemuelu, Elijah Rasmussen, Felise Kaufusi, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, LJ Nonu, Morgan Knowles, Sebastian Su’a, Selwyn Cobbo, Tom Flegler, Trai Fuller

Knights: Asu Kepaoa, Bradman Best, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Harrison Graham, Jacob Saifiti, James Schiller, Matt Arthur, Mat Croker, Pasami Saulo, Peter Hola

Panthers: Billy Scott, Blaize Talagi, Isaah Yeo, John Fonua, Liam Martin, Luron Patea, Moses Leota, Nathan Cleary

Roosters: Billy Smith, Cody Ramsey, De La Salle Va’a, Egan Butcher, Junior Pauga, Jake Elliott, James Tedesco, Nat Butcher, Salesi Foketi, Sam Walker, Spencer Leniu, Taylor Losalu, Victor Radley

Warriors: Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kurt Capewell, Riley Price, Sam Healey, Te Maire Martin, Wayde Egan

NRL finals players off-contract (2026)

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Sharks: Braden Hamlin-Uele, Jayden Berrell, Toby Rudolf, Tuku Hau Tapuha

Dolphins: N/A

Knights: Brodie Jones, Tyson Frizell, Wilson Decourcey

Panthers: Tom Ale

Roosters: Daniel Tupou, Tommy Talau

Warriors: Rocco Berry