The Newcastle Knights could be one club facing a significant overhaul heading into 2025, with a number of key players still off-contract on the final approach to November 1, and constant rumblings around the salary cap.
Add to that that at least some of the players off-contract - most notably Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti - are going to be very popular on the open market, and there will be room to shuffle for the Knights.
The club could have been in dire need of it too, with a coach in Adam O'Brien hanging onto his job by a thread mid way through the 2023 season, but now, after a staggering final couple of months and charge to the finals, he is secure in his role and can start to build the Hunter-based club for a full on premiership tilt over the next couple of years.
While they have certain areas of the side settled, there are big questions over others, and November 1 could be the perfect time for the Knights to secure some key acquisitions.
In this series, Zero Tackle are running the rule over all 17 clubs and where they stand heading to the date when all players off-contract at the end of 2024 are free to negotiate with their rivals.
Current squad for 2025
Jayden Brailey, Jed Cartwright, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Adam Elliott, Jackson Hastings, Jack Hetherington, Dylan Lucas, Greg Marzhew, Kai Pearce-Paul, Kalyn Ponga, Will Pryce, Daniel Saifiti, Leo Thompson
Current best 17 for 2025
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Greg Marzhew
3. No player signed.
4. No player signed.
5. No player signed.
6. Jack Cogger
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Kai Pearce-Paul
12. Jack Hetherington
13. Adam Elliott
14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Jed Cartwright
16. Will Pryce
17. Dylan Lucas
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Bradman Best, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell (player option), Dane Gagai, Tyson Gamble, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jacob Saifiti, Enari Tuala, Toni Tupouniua
Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Sea Eagles could target for 2025 and beyond.
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
The Knights have been linked to a move with Niu previously before he elected to link up with the Dolphins, and while there is little doubt the Redcliffe-based club will be desperate to keep him, there is probably more than one reason he might investigate his options on the open market.
A super talented back who can line up at centre, wing or fullback, Niu was a young debutant for Tonga and has always been touted to do big things in the NRL.
That didn't really happen at the Brisbane Broncos, and while he has been strong with the Dolphins, the majority of it has been on the wing.
Moving to Newcastle won't get him more time at his preferred fullback spot, but it will give the Knights a great insurance policy for Kalyn Ponga, who, as much as you hate to talk about it, is an injury worry.
Niu has acceleration, footwork and excellent power, and with the Knights currently looking for more options in their back five, he would be an excellent one given his versatility.
It looks more and more certain that Crichton will leave the Roosters at the end of the 2024 campaign.
While the Roosters were going to agree to an early release if he could land a deal in rugby union, that now appears to have fallen through. The Roosters have reportedly suggested they won't release Crichton early to help out another NRL team.
That said, the tri-colours are unlikely to have the desire or salary cap to retain Crichton beyond the end of 2024 given the state of offers some other teams are likely to send through.
The Knights are likely to be one of them.
While Kai Pearce-Paul arrives from England, their other talent in the second row is a little skinny to say the least, and Crichton would add the experience the club are likely to lose if Tyson Frizell hangs up the boots.
He can also play in the middle third if need be, and that is another area the Knights currently look as if they might lack in, particularly if they fail to re-sign Jacob Saifiti which also looks likely.
We tend to forget Nick Cotric is only 24 years of age.
It almost doesn't seem right to say, and I'm not going to lie, I verified that information through two or three sources before writing it.
It feels like he has been around for ever and a day, and even if his form hasn't been what it once was in the last couple of years, he still has plenty to offer.
As mentioned around Niu, the Knights' biggest potential problem heading into 2025 looks to be on the edges and centre and wing. Cotric can fill either position, and may need a change away from Canberra to spark his career, which at one stage looked so promising when he scored 46 tries in 93 games during his first stint at the Raiders, back to life.
That's not to say he can't do it in the nation's capital under Ricky Stuart, but he has at times struggled whether through injury or form, to say on the field, and a fresh start could be very much best for his career.
This is very much a short-term thing. Burgess would be 32 by the time he joins the Knights. The chance of him leaving the Rabbitohs for another NRL club also seems slim.
But what if the Knights could talk him into a season by the sea in Newcastle before he hangs up the boots?
It would be well worth doing. Burgess still has plenty to offer despite his age. He has proven that on a consistent basis in 2023 for the Rabbitohs, where he was among the club's best, as he has been for a number of seasons.
He would also fill a substantial hole at the Knights likely to be left by Jacob Saifiti's departure, but also one they already have in depth and experience.
This fits like a glove for mine. It might be the most unlikely on this list, but to me, it's also potentially the most important.
As we have already discussed, the Knights are going to be looking for additions in the second-row.
Bredan Piakura should be a name being discussed at length by the club.
A young gun second-rower who hasn't quite yet made his mark at the Broncos, Piakura has all the talent in the world and has been rated by many as a potential future State of Origin player.
He would add to the depth and talent in the club's second-row, where they are currently well down on man power for 2025.