Players off-contract at the end of 2022 have been able to negotiate for three months as we hit the end of January, and already plenty of big names have re-signed or moved clubs.
The Dolphins have thrown a new air of intrigue over this yearโs off-contract player list, with the expansion club adding six players to their top 30 roster for 2023, including five with first-grade experience.
The Melbourne Storm have been hit hard, losing Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi to the new club, while Brandon Smith was the most publicised signature of the off-season so far before agreeing to join with the Sydney Roosters for 2023.
Itโs been a revolving door at dummy half, with Reed Mahoney going from the Eels to the Bulldogs, Josh Hodgson from the Raiders to the Eels, and Apisai Koroisau from the Panthers to the Tigers.
Junior Paulo and Clinton Gutherson agreed to remain with the Eels after plenty of speculation, but as it stands, there are still over 100 players without a home locked away for 2023.
Today, we build a 17-man team of those players, noting that we have only considered each player for one position.
FULL OFF-CONTRACT LIST FOR 2023 TEAM-BY-TEAM
2. Wingers
Players still off-contract: Kane Bradley, Christian Crichton, Brendan Elliot, Moala Graham-Taufa, Dean Ieremia, Tui Katoa, Jacob Kiraz, Isaac Lumelume, Josh Mansour, David Mead, Marcelo Montoya, Kevin Naiqama, Corey Oates, Jaxson Paulo, Iliesa Ratuva, Jorge Taufua
There are plenty more options available on the wing when going through the off-contract list, ranging from some experienced weapons like Josh Mansour, David Mead, Jorge Taufua and Kevin Naiqama, to young guns like Jaxson Paulo and Dean Ieremia, while the giant Isaac Lumelume is also here.
Others like Kane Bradley and Jacob Kiraz are also without a deal for the 2023 season onwards. They may not make this list, but it's hard to see them not having big careers once they eventually break into the top grade.
Josh Mansour had an excellent season at the Rabbitohs last year and is the first-picked here.
The second spot is a lot tougher. A returning Naiqama could have a big season if injury strikes at the Bondi-based Roosters, while Jorge Taufua has battled horridly with injury.
The two Melbourne wings are both solid, however, the improvement of Lumelume means he wins the second spot here, marginally ahead of Corey Oates and Dean Ieremia.
