NRL Free Agency special: The November 1 targets at every club | Daily Telegraph
St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt has backed a push to sign North Queensland half Tom Dearden as the Dragons look to fast-track their rebuild by launching a spending spree on November 1.
The Dragons are cashed-up and coach Shane Flanagan is intent on landing some big names as he attempts to strengthen their roster and give their long-suffering supporters some genuine hope that they can turn things around after years of frustration.
Dearden has emerged as a potential target given he will enter the final year of his contract on November 1, having baulked at an initial offer from the Cowboys to extend his deal.
The Cowboys and Queensland star is expected to command offers in excess of $900,000 on the open market as he cashes in on the dearth of playmakers up for grabs.
Dearden heads a list that also includes Penrith star Jarome Luai, Brisbane sensation Ezra Mam and Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary.
Dragons captain Ben Hunt has backed a push for his club to poach Cowboys star Tom Dearden. Picture: Getty Images
This masthead understands that Luai is not on the Dragons radar. Mam is expected to command huge offers following his grand final heroics, although there is a view that he is unlikely to leave the Broncos.
Keary almost joined the Dragons some years back, meeting then-coach Paul McGregor, but he rejected a lucrative deal to sign with the Roosters and the expectation is that he will finish his career at Bondi Junction.
That leaves Dearden and Hunt is among his fans – the pair played together for Queensland last year.
“He is a great kid, a really good kid,” Hunt said.
“He has definitely got to be someone that a lot of clubs look at. Halves and five-eighths don’t grow on trees.
“They are very hard to come by and he is a young guy with his best footy ahead of him.”
NOVEMBER 1 FREE AGENCY: TOP TARGET, MUST KEEP
BRONCOS
Off contract November 1: Adam Reynolds, Billy Walters, Ezra Mam, Brendan Piakura, Corey Oates, Delouise Hoeter, Ezra Mam, Jock Madden, Jordan Riki,
Kurt Capewell, Martin Taupau (11 players)
Who they must keep: Ezra Mam - Mam’s value sky-rocketed after his performance in the grand final, where he almost inspired a Broncos win. He is expected to attract huge offers on the open market and Brisbane look to have a fight on their hands.
Who they must target: A lot depends on the future of back rowers
Kurt Capewell, Brendan Piakura and Jordan Riki. All are up for grabs on November 1 and if one or two leave, Jaydn Su’A would be a more than handy replacement.
WARRIORS
Off contract on November 1: Rocco Berry,
Jackson Ford,
Tohu Harris,
Shaun Johnson,
Freddy Lussick,
Luke Metcalf,
Jazz Tevaga,
Taine Tuaupiki,
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (9 players)
Who the Warriors must keep: 2023 Dally M winger of the year
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. DWZ scored the most tries (23) ever in a season for the Warriors this year. His freakish ability to score tries won games for the Warriors, however, his ferocious runs to start his team’s sets are equally as influential.
Who they must target? Jordan Riki. The departure of
Josh Curran to Canterbury will see the blooding of several younger forwards into the back row. However, the Warriors’ premiership window is open and the acquisition of a lethal backrower like Riki would take them to another level.
RABBITOHS
Off contract November 1: Thomas Burgess, Michael Chee-Kam, Jye Gray, Dean Hawkins, Josiah Karapani, Ben Lovett, Peter Mamouzelos,
Taane Milne, Shaquai Mitchell, Isaiah Tass, Leon Te Hau, Izaac Thompson (12 players).
Who the Rabbitohs must keep: Ben Lovett - The hard-running backrower is going places. Just 22, Lovett showed plenty of punch in his three NRL appearances in 2023. Assistant coach John Sutton has identified Lovett as a player to watch in 2024.
Who they must target: Max King. The Rabbitohs should take one off the Bulldogs after Liam Knight and Blake Taaffe opted to move to Belmore. King has the potential to offer plenty inside a well-rounded pack like Souths.
SHARKS
Off contract November 1: Jayden Berrell, Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro, Matt Moylan, Niwhai Puru, Toby Rudolf, Siteni Taukamo, Connor Tracey, Jack Williams (11 players)
Who the Sharks must keep: Jesse Colquhoun. This would seem a shock call given the other more experienced NRL players on the Sharks off-contract list. Yet Colquhoun has huge potential and with good judges at the Sharks suggesting he could reach representative level.
Who they must target? Jacob Saifiti. The Knights prop would add size, experience and starch to the Sharks front row.
BULLDOGS
Off contract November 1: Reece Hoffman, Samuel Hughes, Max King, Liam Knight, Joseph O’Neill, Chris Patolo,
Hayze Perham, Ethan Quai-Ward, Khaled Rajab, Toby Sexton, Jeral Skelton, Jackson Topine (12 players)
Who the Bulldogs must keep: Max King. King has been left to punch above his weight over the past 18-months inside an under-strength Canterbury pack. He has the capability to thrive once the Dogs add more experienced forwards around him.
Who they must target: Luke Keary. The Rabbitohs and Roosters premiership winner bleeds success and his experience in leading the Dogs in the halves, even if only for 12 months, would be a god send.
RAIDERS
Off contract November 1: Nick Cotric, Jamal Fogarty, Peter Hola, Ata Mariota, Trey Mooney, Jordan Rapana, Pasami Saulo, James Schiller, Harley Smith-Shields, Elliott Whitehead, Zac Woolford
Who the Raiders must keep: Jamal Fogarty - With a dearth of quality halves on the open market, Fogarty has to be retained by the Raiders. His even-hand and experience in the halves will be crucial during a period where Canberra are about to blood a string of young talent.
Who they must target: Brendan Piakura. The talented Broncos backrower would add a new and frightening dimension to the Raiders ability to power through sides on their edges.
DRAGONS
Off contract November 1: Alec Tuitavake,
Ben Murdoch-Masila, Cody Ramsey, Francis Molo, Jack de Belin, Jack Bird (mutual option), Jaydn Su’A, Mathew Feagai, Max Feagai, Michael Molo, Moses Suli, Talatau Amone, Tyrell Sloan (13 players)
Who they must keep: Jack de Belin is worth another 12 months while Jadyn Su’A at his best is still an elite backrower. Moses Suli has proven he can be a damaging centre while the jury is still out on the likes of Francis Molo, Tyrell Sloan and the Feagai twins.
Who they must target: The Dragons are crying out for some big name signings and some leadership.
Kurt Capewell would provide outstanding leadership and is likely to be squeezed out of the Broncos. They have already spoken with Connor Tracey, while up front Jacob Saifiti could be handy. The halves are the prime target with Tom Dearden at the top of their list as is young Cowboy Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Joey Manu would be a dream signing.
SEA EAGLES
Off contract November 1: Ben Trbojevic, Corey Waddell,
Karl Lawton, Lachlan Croker, Raymond Vaega, Zac Fulton (six players)
Who they must keep: The Sea Eagles are confident they will tie down reliable hooker Lachlan Croker long-term. Ben Trbojevic has also shown he could hold up his spot in the 17.
Who they must target: A very well balanced roster but have a tight salary cap meaning they won’t land any big-name signings. Could do with a back-up half such as Jock Madden or Tyson Gamble.
KNIGHTS
Off contract November 1: Bradman Best, Dane Gagai, Enari Tuala, Jacob Saifiti, Krystian Mapapalangi, Mathew Croker, Tyson Gamble, Tyson Frizell (player option) (eight players)
Who they must keep: Have put in big offers to Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti, making it clear they want to keep the pair. Tyson Frizell also should stick around while they could get another 12 months out of Dane Gagai.
Who they must target: A lot will depend on their ability to re-sign Best and Saifiti. If they don’t then they will be in the market for a couple of big-name signings. Provided they keep the duo they will be in the look-out for an outside back with Isaiah Taas a good option.
WESTS TIGERS
Off contract November 1: Adam Doueihi, Aidan Sezer, Asu Kepaoa, Brandon Tumeth (player option), Jake Simpkin, Junior Tupou, Justin Matamua (club option), Rua Ngatikaura, Shawn Blore, Sione Fainu, Stefano Utoikamanu (mutual option), Triston Reilly (12 players)
Who they must keep: Need Stefano Utoikamanu to stick around while Junior Tupou has shown enough to suggest he is a long-term first-grader. It is a wait and see situation with Adam Doueihi.
Who they must target: Have made it clear they want a strike outside back given discussions with Justin Olam and an impending approach to Bradman Best. Another option would be Joey Manu. Could look at Jarome Luai too.
PANTHERS
Off contract November 1: Daine Laurie, Jarome Luai, Luke Garner, Matt Eisenhuth, Mitch Kenny, Paul Alamoti, Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Tyrone Peachey, Zac Hosking (10 players)
Who they must keep: Easy options here with Jarome Luai, Mitch Kenny and Sunia Turuva all important players. Taylan May has also shown he can be handy.
Who they must target: Won’t have much cap space if they lock in all their players. If Luai leaves they will go to market for a half with Tom Dearden probably out of their price range. Luke Keary could be a good short-term measure.
EELS
Off contract November 1: Bailey Simonsson,
Daejarn Asi, Jirah Momoisea, Ky Rodwell, Makahesi Makatoa, Morgan Harper, Ofahiki Ogden (seven players)
Who they must keep: No stars off-contract. Bailey Simonsson had a great finish to 2023 and is worth keeping around.
Who they must target: It is clear the Eels need some speed in the outside backs which could allow them to move Clint Gutherson to centre. Joey Manu would be a major signing,
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is off-contract so too Nick Meaney. At hooker they could look at Mitch Kenny.
DOLPHINS
Off contract November 1: Anthony Milford, Edrick Lee,
Euan Aitken, Jarrod Wallace, Jesse Bromwich,
Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls, Ray Stone, Tesi Niu, Valynce Te Whare (10 players)
Who they must keep:
Kodi Nikorima - Nikorima was outstanding this season in a variety of roles for the Dolphins. He deserves another deal given his importance to the club.
Who they must target: Helium Luki - The Dolphins edge back rowers are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. They need some youth and strike and Luki would provide lashings of both.
COWBOYS
Off contract November 1:
Chad Townsend, Coen Hess, Heilum Luki, Jake Granville,
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Kyle Feldt, Sam McIntyre, Semi Valemei, Tom Dearden, Tom Chester (10 players).
Who they must keep: Tom Dearden - The Cowboys have tabled an offer to Dearden but it was short of expectations and he is expected to hit the open market, where offers are likely to tumble in. The Cowboys need to find a way.
Who they must target: Lewis Dodd - the St Helens halfback has another year remaining on his contract in England but is already on the radar of NRL clubs. Word is he has his sights set on testing himself in Australia and the Cowboys may need some help in the halves.
TITANS
Off contract November 1: Isaac Liu, Jacob Alick, Joe Stimson,
Kieran Foran, Klese Haas, Tom Weaver, Treymain Spry (7 players)
Who they must keep:
Kieran Foran - The Titans veteran gives the club vital experience, nous and leadership. They simply can’t afford to let him leave given the quality he provides.
Who they must target:
Luke Metcalf - The Titans need a quality partner for Foran in the halves and a player who can carry the baton when he is gone. Metcalf is electric and would add speed to their
STORM
Off contract November 1:
Aaron Pene, Marion Seve, Nick Meaney, Reimis Smith (4 players)
Who they must keep: Nick Meaney - The Storm don’t have many players on the market on November 1 but Meaney is the pick of them after an outstanding season, where he starred in the No.1 jersey.
Who they must target: Shawn Blore - The Storm have made no secret of their desire to land a forward with some fire and aggression. Blore fits the bill on both fronts. He can play edge or middle.
ROOSTERS
Off contract November 1: Angus Crichton, Brandon Smith (PO), Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joseph Manu, Luke Keary, Sitili Tupouniua, Siua Wong, Terrell May (10 players).
Who they must keep: Joey Manu - Manu is a deadset superstar and there seems little to no chance he will explore his options anywhere other than the Roosters. Good thing too. They can’t afford to lose him.
Who they must target: Adam Doueihi - The Roosters are well stocked across the board but some depth in the halves would be handy depending on whether Keary decides to press on in 2025. Doueihi is a class act coming back from serious injury. He could be a quality addition at the right price.
Hunt concedes November 1 is huge for the Dragons as they look to add quality and depth to their roster.
Flanagan has bought the club some breathing room by holding off on signing a number of their existing players.
Francis Molo, Jack de Belin, Jaydn Su’A, Mathew Feagai, Max Feagai, Michael Molo, Moses Suli, and Tyrell Sloan all enter the final year of their deals next week.
It is understood the Dragons have indicated a desire to begin talks with Suli but he is expected to test his value on the open market.
Jarome Luai is not on the Dragons radar, while Ezra Mam is unlikely to leave the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images
The club has also been rocked by the guilty verdict handed down to five-eighth Junior Amone last week, leaving his future in limbo until he is sentenced in December.
The Dragons need to land some key targets to give their fans a sign that they are still a club with punch in the player market.
Asked whether November 1 had become more important following the verdict in the Amone case, Hunt said: “I think November 1 is important for us anyway. I am sure Flanno has a few guys in his sights that he is going to be after.
“It is going to be a pretty exciting couple of weeks on November 1 anyway.”
Flanagan had indicated he would use Hunt to help him recruit players and the skipper confirmed the pair had discussed some of the club’s plans.
“He has leaned on me for a few things,” Hunt said.
“I have gone to him about a couple of guys who will fit our team. It should be good.”
New November 1 Rules
Every player must provide his incumbent Club with a last right of negotiation for a 10-day period from the date of notice that the player has received an offer from a rival Club, and that offer has been submitted to the NRL, that he is prepared to accept.
In order to give effect to this clause:
a) the player must provide notice to his incumbent Club that he has an offer that he will accept in 10 days’ time (subject to negotiations with his incumbent Club);
b) the Club can then engage in contract negotiations with the player for a period of up to 10 days, or the Club may waive its rights in writing (at which point the player is free to sign with the rival Club);
c) the offer from the rival NRL Club must be an official offer and submitted to the NRL Salary Cap Auditor (the contents of which will remain confidential, but the NRL Salary Cap Auditor can provide verification to the incumbent Club that an official offer has been received). The offer must remain open for acceptance for a minimum of 14 days, and for at least 48 hours beyond the expiry of the 10-day negotiation period with the incumbent Club. There is no requirement for the player to disclose the terms of the offer to his incumbent Club;
d) at the expiry of the 10 days, the player may sign (or reject) the offer from the rival Club.
