Star’s move firms after Mad Monday whisper as contract circus begins

The NRL’s contract period restarts on Sunday – November 1 – and by our count there are roughly 180 players about to hit the open market.

Some are more high profile than others, but all add to the intrigue that is rugby league’s version of trade period chaos.

Arguably the most interesting club to keep an eye on over the coming days and weeks is the Dolphins, who have at least three potential million-dollar players coming off contract at the same time.

Superstar fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is on the verge of announcing a fresh deal, while boom centre-winger Jack Bostock is currently inflating his asking price with a breakout Kangaroos debut campaign at the World Cup.

But their fellow backline gun Herbie Farnworth looks certain to leave the southern Queensland outfit at the end of next season, and is heavily tipped to join the cashed-up Roosters for 2028.

Experienced journalist James Hooper told the Rugby League Insider podcast there are whispers Farnworth is on the nose with some Dolphins teammates.

“I’ve heard there was beef with Herbie,” Hooper said of a rumoured Mad Monday incident.

Read more

Ten players who could transform cashed-up Chooks with $4m war chest

“A few of the players got into him and said, ‘mate, what’s going on? The BYD ad, repeated speculation, you won’t commit. Are you going (to the Roosters) or not?’.

“The way I’ve heard it, it didn’t go down great... I don’t think he stuck around.”

Farnworth is just one player under the microscope heading into the NRL’s 2027 contract period.

We run the rule over every club, bar the incoming Perth Bears.

Broncos

Players off contract on Sunday: Phillip Coates, Dane Gagai, Ben Hunt, Josiah Karapani, Deine Mariner, Blake Mozer, Hayze Perham, Brendan Piakura, Ben Talty, Aublix Tawha, Xavier Willison

Analysis: Ben Hunt and Dane Gagai are expected to retire at the end of the 2027 season, while the club is reportedly prepared to let young hooker Blake Mozer leave given a surplus of rakes on the roster. The big job for incoming Broncos list boss Peter O’Sullivan is striking a deal with boom prop Xavier Willison, who is the heir apparent to Payne Haas and will command upwards of $1m a season.

Raiders

Players off contract on Sunday: Sebastian Kris, Myles Martin, Matty Nicholson, Xavier Savage, Chevy Stewart, Hudson Young

Analysis: All eyes are on Hudson Young and what he decides to do as he weighs up his future. The Raiders pulled a four-year extension reportedly worth $4.4m off the table, which would have made him the best paid backrower in the game. The PNG Chiefs are poised to make Young an offer as early as next week.

Bulldogs

Players off contract on Sunday: Sosaia Alatini, Matt Burton, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Max King, Jethro Rinakama, Jaeman Salmon, Logan Spinks, Mitchell Woods

Analysis: Matt Burton is weighing up his future amid strong interest from the Perth Bears. The Bulldogs want to keep him, but it’s unclear whether he will get five-eighth money or centre money. The interesting watch will be young halfback Mitchell Woods, who has struggled to break into the NRL team due to his inability to get his body right but has big raps on him from people within the club. If the Dogs see Woods as their long-term No.7, they better get moving on a contract extension.

Sharks

Players off contract on Sunday: Thomas Dellow, Brad Fearnley, Harrison Hassett, Blake Hosking, Liam Ison, Riley Jones, Oregon Kaufusi, William Kennedy, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton

Analysis: They lost a handful of stars this year and risk doing so again with the likes of fullback Will Kennedy, and forwards Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton off contract. The Sharks seemed happy to leave a number of players in limbo throughout the 2026 season so don’t expect them to make too many contract moves in the coming days.

Dolphins

Players off contract on Sunday: Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, John Fineanganofo, Tom Flegler, Trai Fuller, Felise Kaufusi, Morgan Knowles, Connelly Lemuelu, LJ Nonu, Elijah Rasmussen, Sebastian Su’a, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Analysis: The Redcliffe club faces a salary cap crunch with all of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, and Jack Bostock eyeing million-dollar deals. Farnworth looks certain to sign with the Roosters for 2028, which will alleviate some pressure on the Dolphins roster. While Bostock might be enticed by offers of $1m a season from the likes of the Dragons, he may yet choose to stay put for slightly less money given the team seems to be in a premiership window. Prop Tom Flegler and backrower Connelly Lemuelu are also coming off contract and will command significant money, so the Dolphins may have to bite the bullet and let another player or two leave.

Titans

Players off contract on Sunday: Cooper Bai, Adam Christensen, Jaylan De Groot, Siale Faeamani, Max Feagai, Moeaki Fotuaika, Tony Francis, Brock Gray, Lachlan Ilias, Sunny Kama, Oliver Pascoe, Josh Patston, Chris Randall, Luke Sommerton, Jensen Taumoepeau

Analysis: Gold Coast landed a huge win on Thursday when the club re-signed young playmaker Zane Harrison just days before he was due to come off contract. But the Titans seem certain to lose talented young forward Cooper Bai, who is expected to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028 and could even head to another club for a 2027 gap-year. The other priority for the Titans will be boom hooker Oliver Pascoe, who was a rookie of the year contender in 2026 despite being 27 years old.

Sea Eagles

Players off contract on Sunday: Luke Brooks, Hugo Hart, Lehi Hopoate, Caleb Navale, Jackson Shereb, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Corey Waddell, Navren Willett

Read more

This delicate situation is Kieran Foran’s toughest job yet

Analysis: Some big decisions for Manly to make over the coming months. Ageing, concussion-prone forward Jake Trbojevic is likely to retire, but his younger brothers Tom and Ben will be seeking new deals to remain at Brookvale. Tom’s future and worth may hinge on whether he can stay injury-free in 2027. His contract could also impact that of Lehi Hopoate, who has proven himself to be a gun fullback but is stuck on the wing whenever Trbojevic is fit to wear the No.1 jersey. The future of Luke Brooks is also up in the air as the club looks towards the future with young halves Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large waiting in the wings.

Storm

Players off contract on Sunday: Xavier Coates, Jack Hetherington, Jack Howarth, Eliesa Katoa, Josh King, Ativalu Lisati, Cameron Munster, Josiah Pahulu, Trent Toelau, Kelma Tuilagi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Manaia Waitere

Analysis: All eyes will be on veteran five-eighth Cameron Munster as he weighs up his future over the coming months. He has said his time in Melbourne hinges on whether supercoach Craig Bellamy sticks around, or hangs up the clipboard at the end of next season. Munster has business interests in southern Queensland and has been linked to the PNG Chiefs, too. The Storm will also be getting to work on new deals for winger Xavier Coates, centre Jack Howarth, and backrower Eli Katoa. Coates and Katoa missed the entire 2026 season but are two of the club’s biggest stars, while Howarth is considered a future Queensland representative and will no doubt attract interest from clubs.

Warriors

Players off contract on Sunday: Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell, Kahu Capper, Samuel Healey, Ali Leiataua, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Analysis: Talented young hooker Sam Healy may look to leave the Wahs as he is stuck behind Wayde Egan for the No.9 jersey. Similarly, Ali Leiataua and Rocco Berry are fighting with other stars for spots in the backline. Te Maire Martin is a bit of an enigma but can be a gun playmaker on his day, and will spend 2026 battling with the likes of Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita for a starting spot, He may yet force the club to give him a new contract, or at least impress enough to land a deal somewhere else.

Knights

Players off contract on Sunday: Matt Arthur, Bradman Best, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Fletcher Hunt, Asu Kepaoa, Jacob Saifiti, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Pasami Saulo, James Schiller

Analysis: Gun centre Bradman Best has stolen all the headlines since Newcastle played in the NRL grand final. He is weighing up offers from the Knights and Eels, with his father-in-law Jeff Fenech trying to convince him to play for Parramatta. Best knocked back a lucrative Knights offer this month so all signs point to him leaving the Hunter after next season. The Knights will also be hoping to hang onto Mat Croker, Pasami Saulo, Harrison Graham, and Fletcher Hunt, while Jacob Saifiti’s future will likely hinge on how he plays in 2027, given he is on the wrong side of 30.

Cowboys

Players off contract on Sunday: Coen Hess, Kaiden Lahrs, Zac Laybutt, Soni Luke, Jeremiah Nanai, Jason Taumalolo

Analysis: Jeremiah Nanai is still only 23 years old, which is a bit insane considering he debuted in 2021 and has already played for Queensland and Australia. He managed only 10 NRL games this year but when he’s in form, he is one of the best backrowers in the game. Inconsistency means he probably won’t command what the likes of Hudson Young will on the open market, but he is sure to attract some interest if the Cowboys leave his future in limbo. Zac Laybutt is a talented backline star currently representing Papua New Guinea, and the Chiefs could come knocking for season 2028 if the Cowboys don’t extend him.

Eels

Players off contract on Sunday: Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Doorey, Harrison Edwards, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, J’maine Hopgood, Kitione Kautoga, William Latu, Luca Moretti, Araz Nanva, Joash Papalii, Junior Paulo, Jordan Samrani, Bailey Simonsson, Ryley Smith, Jack Williams

Analysis: Former representative winger Josh Addo-Carr’s future is up in the air as he faces the sack following another scandal in the off-season. Veteran prop Junior Paulo has signed on for 2027, but his future beyond that is up in the air, while the Eels will be hoping to lock down fellow star forward J’maine Hopgood on a new deal despite him missing almost all of 2026 with a knee injury. Jordan Samrani is testing the NRL market while fellow outside back Bailey Simonsson will likely be playing for a new contract next year. Young gun hooker Ryley Smith is one Parramatta will likely want to extend before rivals come knocking.

Panthers

Players off contract on Sunday: Nathan Cleary, Sione Fonua, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Isaiah Papali’i, Luron Patea, Billy Scott, Blaize Talagi, Isaah Yeo

Analysis: Some genuine superstars are hitting free agency on Sunday, although Penrith has already agreed to a new deal with captain and lock Isaah Yeo, which is in the process of being green-lit by the NRL. Halfback Nathan Cleary has been noncommittal every time he’s been asked about his future, and will have huge money being thrown at him from all parts of the globe. The Sam Walker saga at the Roosters suddenly puts a shock Chooks move very much on the table for the champion No.7. Similarly, representative backrower Liam Martin is going to test his value and will attract serious offers from rival clubs, while Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i and Blaize Talagi are also sure to have interest from elsewhere. With supercoach Ivan Cleary stepping down after next season, Penrith could be looking at a mass player exodus.

Rabbitohs

Players off contract on Sunday: Euan Aitken, Salesi Ataata, David Fifita, Thomas Fletcher, Bronson Garlick, Jonah Glover, Campbell Graham, Matthew Humphries, Elijah Keung, Edward Kosi, Peter Mamouzelos, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Munro, Talanoa Penitani, Latrell Siegwalt, Jayden Sullivan, Isaiah Tass, Jack Wighton

Analysis: The South Sydney money men have some massive decisions to make in the coming months, with more than half the NRL squad off contract as well as coach Wayne Bennett. The Bunnies will want to move fast on the likes of Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell, David Fifita, and Tyrone Munro if they plan on keeping them beyond 2027. The Bunnies also need to figure out if the likes of Jonah Glover and Peter Mamouzelos are long-term spine players, or if they need to go to market and find others. With the career of Cody Walker also likely to end after next season, the roster could be set for a complete overhaul.

Dragons

Players off contract on Sunday: Hayden Buchanan, David Fale, Kyle Flanagan, Clinton Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Josh Kerr, Lyhkan King-Togia, Cyrus Stanley-Traill, Moses Suli, Nick Tsougranis, Leeroy Weatherall

Analysis: Recruitment guru Daniel Anderson has been a busy man since getting his feet under the desk in Wollongong, and has already made a bunch of signings and re-signings. Of the players coming off contract, 20-year-old centre Hayden Buchanan will likely land an extension before he is chased by rival clubs. Val Holmes is past his best but is still a quality player on his day, while young playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia is now stuck behind the likes of Luke Metcalfe and Kodi Nikorima and is likely to look for an opportunity elsewhere.

Roosters

Players off contract on Sunday: Egan Butcher, Nat Butcher, Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu, Victor Radley, Cody Ramsey, Billy Smith, James Tedesco, De La Salle Va’a, Sam Walker

Analysis: The Chooks already face a mass exodus following their grand final win, and halfback Sam Walker may yet join the departing group. Looking ahead, the Bondi club will be keen to lock down Billy Smith and Salesi Foketi with new deals, while young forward De La Salle Va’a is hoping to chase a career in American football and is likely to leave. Ageing fullback James Tedesco’s future will depend on whether he wants to retire next year or keep going. The Roosters will have upwards of $4m to play with under the salary cap and are expected to hit the market hard.

Tigers

Players off contract on Sunday: Latu Fainu, Tyson Frizell, Patrick Herbert, Royce Hunt, Jock Madden, Kurt Mann, Fonua Pole, Ethan Roberts, Junior Tupou

Analysis: Young playmaker Latu Fainu is likely to stay put after his brother Samuela signed an extension this month. He and Jock Madden may be the starting halves next year after Jarome Luai’s exit. Patrick Herbert was a surprise packet in the NRL after being thrown a lifeline by Benji Marshall, and is still only 29 years old so may yet earn himself a deal for 2028.