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

3. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

It is incredibly difficult to see the Rabbitohs being able to re-sign Peter Mamouzelos at the end of 2024.

If they fail to - and it'll be all down to Damien Cook playing until the end of 2025, as well as the blanket refusal from coach Jason Demetriou to give him playing time off the bench - then the club are going to need a back-up option, but also someone who can take over when Cook finally elects to hang up the boots ahead of the 2026 campaign.

There are very few dummy halves who are about to hit the open market that fit that description, but international debutant Gordon Chan Kum Tong is one of them.

He has fast become a cult hero at the Sea Eagles following his NRL debut, but the club might well have a battle on their hands to retain his services once the clock ticks over to November 1.

A crafty number one with a good eye for the game, it's very realistic that Manly have also identified him as their long-term number nine.

Expect this to be one of the battles of free agency this campaign given the lack of up and coming dummy halves on the market.