The Cronulla Sharks have been a consistent picture of almost, but not quite good enough in recent seasons.

That trend continued in 2023 when the side found themselves falling short in Week 1 of the finals despite playing against a horrendously undermanned Sydney Roosters outfit.

That came after the year before where they finished in the top four on the back of Nicho Hynes' brilliance, but were still bounced out of the finals in straight sets.

The side clearly needs things to change if they want to hit the next level, and free agency ahead of 2025 could give them the opportunity to do just that.

In this series, Zero Tackle will run the rule over where each team currently stands for 2025, and what they will need to do when players off-contract at the end of 2024 become available for negotiation from November 1.

2025 NRL Season Guide

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Current squad for 2025
Daniel Atkinson, Blayke Brailey, Kade Dykes, Dale Finucane, Royce Hunt, Nicho Hynes, Sione Katoa, William Kennedy, Cameron McInnes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, Jesse Ramien, Sam Stonestreet, Siosifa Talakai, Braydon Trindall, Teig Wilton

Current best 17 for 2025
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Royce Hunt
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Dale Finucane
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Kade Dykes
16. Sam Stonestreet
17. No player signed.

Players off-contract at end of 2024
Jayden Berrell, Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro, Matt Moylan, Niwhai Puru, Toby Rudolf, Siteni Taukamo, Connor Tracey, Jack Williams

Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Sharks could target for 2025 and beyond.

EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024

Other clubs
ยป Brisbane Broncos
ยป Canberra Raiders
ยป Canterbury Bulldogs

2. Bradman Best

Another conundrum the Sharks have moving forward is in their centres.

While Jesse Ramien is locked in and Siosifa Talakai is signed through to the end of 2025, there is no guarantee the latter of the duo will remain in the centres.

He has had some strong performances, but the middle, or the second-row is likely where his long-term future stands despite the odd game where he flattens the opposition.

2023 State of Origin - NSW v QLD: Game 3

The Sharks still have a decision to make on Kayal Iro, granted, but it looks for all money as if he will leave the club without a significant uptick in playing time during 2024. And fair enough too.

That means the Sharks are going to be in the market for a new centre, and it's hard to go past Bradman Best when you look at the list of players coming off-contract at the end of 2024.

He has been linked to an exit from the Knights for much of the year, and with his finish to the campaign, he has only added value to his next contract.

With November 1 almost here, it looks as if he will hit the open market, and the Sharks should be making a play.