The Gold Coast Titans are one of the best-set clubs for 2025 already with only a handful of spots remaining on their roster.
Already with 24 signatures for 2025, and a healthy mix of young talent and experience, the Titans will be looking for the missing pieces to their puzzle under Des Hasler as they look for a surge towards the top eight.
Money will be a problem, but it's role players and depth options they will be after rather than out-and-out stars, potentially with the exception of one position.
In this series, Zero Tackle are running the rule over the state of play at every club ahead of the November 1 deadline, where players off-contract at the end of 2024 can negotiate with rival clubs.
Current squad for 2025
Tanah Boyd, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Erin Clark, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, David Fifita, Jojo Fifita, Ryan Foran, Moeaki Fotuaika, Tony Francis, Jaimin Jolliffe, Brian Kelly, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Keano Kini, Ken Maumalo, Seth Nikotemo, Josiah Pahulu, Keenan Palasia, Chris Randall, Phillip Sami, Aaron Schoupp, Sam Verrills
Current best 17 for 2025
1. Keano Kini
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
3. Phillip Sami
4. Brian Kelly
5. Jojo Fifita
6. AJ Brimson
7. Tanah Boyd
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Beau Fermor
12. David Fifita
13. Erin Clark
14. Jayden Campbell
15. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
16. Jaimin Jolliffe
17. Keenan Palasia
Reserves: Ryan Foran, Tony Francis, Ken Maumalo, Seth Nikotemo, Josiah Pahulu, Aaron Schoupp
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Jacob Alick, Kieran Foran, Klese Haas, Isaac Liu, Ben Liyou, Treymain Spry, Joe Stimson, Thomas Weaver
Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Titans could target for 2025 and beyond.
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
Other clubs
» Brisbane Broncos
» Canberra Raiders
» Canterbury Bulldogs
» Cronulla Sharks
The Titans already have 24 players on contract in 2025, meaning they are likely to be one of the quietest teams during this year's silly season.
That isn't to say they don't need to make signings though.
As it stands, the most pressing issue is going to be in the halves likely. Kieran Foran's impending retirement is one thing, but the problem is this: Neither AJ Brimson or Jayden Campbell look like succeeding in the number six long-term.
The jury is also still out on Tanah Boyd in the number seven jersey.
The other problem is money. The Titans have so much cash stuck in their forwards that this isn't going to be a case of go out and sign whoever you want.
That said, a player who can wear either the six or the seven without clogging up the bank book is what they are after. Of all the players on the market, no player fits that better than Luke Metcalf.
He is a better six than seven, but can play both roles, and if he wants a return to Australia, this might be how he gets it. With a lack of talent that isn't going to cost in the seven figures per season, Metcalf could be hotly pursued from November 1.
The Titans do have depth in their backs, but like the halves, the jury is still out on whether that depth is good enough to take the club to any particular heights.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira has shown promise, and Phillip Sami is built like the side of a house. Brian Kelly has been solid at times, and Jojo Fifita's attack is electrifying. That leaves Ken Maumalo and Aaron Schoupp out, as it does for Toby Francis, an up-and-coming centre who will have a long NRL career.
But Iro is a super talent, and at this stage, still won't cost a great deal to the Titans.
Able to play fullback, wing or centre gives him all the ability in the world to cover for the Titans, but he would likely be good enough to lock up a permanent starting role at centre or on the wing anyway.
One of the toughest tasks for any team in the coming years is going to be splitting up the Trbojevic brothers. Not to say it can't be done, and rugby league is a business of course, but it's going to take a lot.
Ben might struggle for regular minutes at Manly though.
They have second-rowers and centres galore, and while he is rated as talented, if not more so than his brothers at the same age, it's still going to take a lot to break into Anthony Seibold's side.
By 2025, a fresh change could be what he needs, and working his way into Des Hasler's side with the chance to play in two positions, potentially still off the bench, could be a handy one for his career.
From the Titans' perspective, he gives the club two positions, and on the cheap.
Gray's contract at the South Sydney Rabbitohs comes to an end at the end of 2024, and with the potential of playing time alluding him during that period, he may well look for a path back to Queensland.
A super talent, Gray is a former junior State of Origin player and has the potential to make it large in the NRL if he gets the right coaching and opportunity.
The chance to be back in Queensland with a number of other young players and to learn off Des Hasler may speak volumes to him.
But so will the chance to break into first-grade.
As spoken about earlier, the Titans have big questions over their halves not just for 2025, but for 2024. A lot can change in 12 months, but Gray could be an excellent option given his playing time is going to be stunted at South Sydney behind Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias a nd Dean Hawkins.
The running trend here has been the need for the Titans to find players on the cheap, but players who might be able to add something to the club.
Jamal Shibasaki, who is the younger brother of Gehamat, will likely receive an opportunity to debut at some point in 2024 with the Cowboys, but then, he may look to move.
If he does, the Titans should make a play.
An energetic, athletic middle forward is what the Titans need given their current pack, and Shibasaki fits that bill after rapidly progressing through the grades in Townsville during 2023.