We all know that a big name signing, or a quickly emerging young star can completely change the outlook of a club's season.
We're now in mid-September and the number of players off-contract shrinks by the day.
That said, there are still some seriously talented players without a home for 2020 and beyond.
Below we take a look at those players and name our best option for each position. This will obviously be subjective and will depend on what teams are looking for.
Veterans may appeal to some teams, whilst younger stars or bargains appeal elsewhere. I've tried to even those out where possible.
We've used combined lists from the major media sources to compile the below. There's always the chance that a player has re-signed but it has not been announced.
Let us know in the comments who you believe are the best off-contract players.
3. Centre: Jackson Ferris
I was shocked to see the young Sharks flyer was still off contract.
Best known to casual fans as the young centre who scored the match winner on the siren for the Jets in last year's Interstate Cup Grand Final, Ferris scored an incredible try on debut after being a late call up for the Sharks against Brisbane.
Ferris is quick, agile and has footwork that has to be seen to be believed. His Grand Final heroics came as no surprise to those who saw him star in the Jersey Flegg. He and Bronson Xerri have long been talked about as the Sharks centre pairing for the next decade.
With Josh Dugan's contract up at the end of 2021, Ferris shapes as the obvious replacement should the veteran or the club agree to move on. I would be absolutely shocked if the Sharks aren't in deep discussions re-retaining their young asset.
If he slips through the net in the Shire, there is no shortage of teams who would surely be happy to give him a home. The Storm have a history of turning young Sharks (see Addo-Carr, Curtis Scott) into superstars. He would walk into the Bulldogs or Titans sides this weekend, while Manly, the Tigers and Newcastle all have far from written in stone back lines.
