The South Sydney Rabbitohs enter the new free agency period with a roster that is already burning a hole in the pocket from the top heavy contracts.
All of Damien Cook, Campbell Graham, Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Tevita Tatola, Cody Walker and Jack Wighton have either re-signed, or joined, on big money.
That is going to leave the Rabbitohs next to no wiggle room, and, if reports are to be believed, that could be about to become even tougher with Jai Arrow closing on a new deal.
Where money will come from for players outside the club is unclear, but what is clear is that the Rabbitohs can't be totally comfortable at this stage with the bones of the squad they have put together for 2025.
Players ageing, and others in spots without the runs on the board to suggest they should be the number one option will leave coach Jason Demetriou with plenty of work to do from November 1.
Zero Tackle run the rule over the South Sydney Rabbitohs November 1 targets as part of a series where we take a dive into every club's state of play for 2025.
Current squad for 2025
Damien Cook, Campbell Graham, Siliva Havili, Jacob Host, Lachlan Ilias, Alex Johnston, Sean Keppie, Keaon Koloamatangi, Haizyn Mellars, Latrell Mitchell, Davvy Moale, Tyrone Munro, Cameron Murray, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Tevita Tatola, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton
Current best 17 for 2025
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Campbell Graham
4. Jack Wighton
5. Tyrone Munro
6. Cody Walker
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Damien Cook
10. Sean Keppie
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jacob Host
13. Cameron Murray
14. Siliva Havili
15. Davvy Moale
16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
17. No player signed.
Players not in 17: Haizyn Mellars (wing),
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Jai Arrow, 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
Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Rabbitohs could target for 2025 and beyond.
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
1. Jacob Saifiti
This could be a very difficult sell for the Rabbitohs, purely because they may not be able to match the financials that some other clubs will be able to throw the way of Saifiti.
But they need to make a play nonetheless and see if they can't talk him into heading to Redfern.
The end of 2024 is likely to spell the end of Thomas Burgess' time as an NRL player, and that means the Rabbitohs will have a whole lot of experience walking out the exit gates.
It also means they need a strong replacement in the front row to continue kicking and building that momentum they have done so well in recent times.
Saifiti hasn't been the most consistent player at the Knights, but when he is on, he is more than equal to anything his brother has been able to produce.
Ultimately, there is a reason Jacob Saifiti has been an Origin player, and with the lack of real top-tier props on the market, I expect plenty of clubs to make a play for him.
