The St George Illawarra Dragons have more questions than you could poke a stick at as the clock ticks over to November 1.
The club currently have 16 players off-contract at the end of 2024 who can negotiate with rivals from today, and other questions over the future of captain Ben Hunt, who has requested a release ad-nauseum from the joint-venture.
That leaves Shane Flanagan with a tricky period ahead, but also one where he is going to be able to reshape the club as he sees fit given the number of spots available, and cash up the sleeve.
The Dragons must make a significant play - or plays - for a number of key players coming off-contract to rebuild the squad ahead of 2025.
In this series, Zero Tackle are running the rule over every club's state of play for 2025, and the best targets they should be chasing from November 1.
Current squad for 2025
Jack Bird, Ryan Couchman, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Sione Finau, Kyle Flanagan, Jacob Halangahu, Ben Hunt, Blake Lawrie, Jacob Liddle, Zac Lomax, Mikaele Ravalawa, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart
Current best 17 for 2025
1. No player signed.
2. Mikaeale Ravalawa
3. Zac Lomax
4. No player signed.
5. Sione Finau
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Hame Sele
11. Dylan Egan
12. Jacob Halangahu
13. Jack Bird
14. No player signed.
15. Toby Couchman
16. Ryan Couchman
17. Hamish Stewart
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Talatau Amone, Josh Coric, Jack de Belin, Mathew Feagai, Max Feagai, Jaiyden Hunt, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Cody Ramsey, Jackson Shereb, Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su'A, Moses Suli, Savelio Tamale, Alec Tuitavake, Paul Turner
Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Dragons could target for 2025 and beyond.
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
3. Joseph Manu
The Dragons need a star in the backline. That goes without saying.
They have plenty of questions to answer as it stands - the Feagai brothers, both Mat and Max, are off-contract at the end of 2024, while Tyrell Sloan is also up for grabs to rival clubs.
But none of those players currently at the struggling joint-venture should be anywhere near the priority. Instead, it must be bringing in a player of Joseph Manu's calibre.
Whether he has any inclination to leave the Roosters is another thing - all reports suggest the Roosters are confident of retaining him, but the fact they haven't been able to do so prior to the November 1 deadline means there could be a real search of the open market for the star.
We know Manu wants to be playing fullback or five-eighth. It's not something he is going to do at the Roosters anytime soon, but he could have his pick of the positions at the Dragons.
Watch this space.
