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 year’s 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.
It’s 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
Players still off-contract: Matthew Dufty
While Kalyn Ponga's player option in his favour gives him the power to negotiate, he isn't listed here, and the pickings outside of the Queensland star number one are incredibly slim.
Matthew Dufty signed a one-year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs ahead of the 2022 season, having spent his career to date with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Whether he is signed long-term by the Bulldogs or not remains to be seen, but as it stands, he could be hot property for those clubs in need of a new fullback for 2023.
There are other players in other positions who could play fullback - Herbie Farnworth and Kevin Naiqama spring to mind, but in terms of a regular first-choice fullback, it's Dufty or nothing.
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.
Players still off-contract: Zane Bijorac, Jack Bird, Herbie Farnworth, Mawene Hiroti, Delouise Hoeter, Reece Hoffman, George Jennings, Robert Jennings, William Kei, Connelly Lemuelu, Esan Marsters, Steven Marsters, Taylan May, Taane Milne, Tautau Moga, Brayden Musgrove, Tom Opacic, Tommy Talau, Isaiah Tass, Tyreece Woods
There is stacks of talent coming off contract at the end of next year in the centres, with some versatile players among the group.
Expect some of the young guns on this list to be locked up first, with clubs likely to hand priority to them.
Players like Taylan May - who is set to replace the departed Paul Momirovski at the Penrith Panthers, and Isaiah Tass, who is yet to debut but could do so this year, will be in hot demand.
Reece Hoffman has recently signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs and is another talented prospect, while South Sydney will be desperate to lock down Zane Bijorac.
There are two names on this list which stand out though, with Jack Bird and Herbie Farnworth seemingly ahead of the rest.
Bird had a strong season at the Dragons in 2021, and has the ability to play centre, fullback, halves, second-row or lock, while Farnworth could shift to fullback if need be.
The rumour mill surrounding Bird has been quiet, however, Farnworth has been recently linked with the Dolphins.
Players still off-contract: Phoenix Crossland, Kurt Falls, Kieran Foran, Matt Frawley, Shallin Fuller, Ben Hampton, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Cooper Johns, Albert Kelly, Lachlan Lam, Jock Madden, Anthony Milford, Matt Moylan, Jayden Nikorima, Kodi Nikorima, Sean O'Sullivan, Hayze Perham, Jaeman Salmon, Simi Sasagi, Ashley Taylor, Brandon Wakeham, Dylan Walker, Billy Walters, Sam Williams
With most of these halves able to play both the six and seven, we have decided to combine this and simply select two.
There is plenty of experience among this group of off-contract halves, but also some young talent in the likes of Chanel Harris-Tavita, Cooper Johns and Jock Madden, while both the Nikorima brothers and Sean O'Sullivan are here.
Simi Sasagi is arguably the most talented of all the young guns on this list, and yet it's hard to justify simply picking two of them thanks to the talent around them.
The first picked here - and maybe slightly controversially - is Ashley Taylor. If you're looking for value on a contract it could still be him by the end of the year. Gone are the days of his million-dollar deal at the Titans, and arrived are the days of having to battle for a spot on a roster.
He managed just that by carrying out a train and trial with the Warriors, but he will need to impress in 2022 to have a shot at being a valuable commodity on the transfer market.
The other player who simply has to be selected is Kieran Foran. He might be aging and approaching the back end of his career, but he seemingly still has a few good years left, having put in some excellent performances with the Manly Sea Eagles during 2021 before the club made the top four.
Players still off-contract:
Daniel Alvaro, Eddie Blacker, Morgan Boyle, Matthew Eisenhuth, Herman Ese'ese, Poasa Faamausili, Sione Fainu, Andrew Fifita, Wiremu Greig, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Royce Hunt, Ryan James, Rhys Kennedy, Blake Lawrie, Jordan McLean, Thomas Mikaele, Jirah Momoisea, Franklin Pele, Emry Pere, Pasami Saulo, Lindsay Smith, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Ryan Sutton, James Tamou, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Martin Taupau, Aiden Tolman, Paul Vaughan, Jarrod Wallace
There are still some big-name props remaining off-contract for 2023, and there could still be some substantial movement between clubs as a result.
Experience in the front-row tends to be a key to success whichever way you cut it, and with players like Martin Taupau, Paul Vaughan, Jarrod Wallace, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Ryan Sutton, James Tamou and Andrew Fifita still off-contract, there is plenty of that.
Players like Blake Lawrie and Ryan James could also command attention, while Jordan McLean on a reduced salary could also be intriguing to follow.
The likes of Sione Fainu, Eddie Blacker, Lindsay Smith and Daniel Suluka-Fifita are all either awaiting a debut or very early in their first-grade careers and could well command plenty of attention in the coming weeks and months as contracts continue to be sorted out for the 2023 season.
It's hard to go past the two biggest names here though in Taupau and Taukeiaho, who will both command serious coin heading into 2023.
Paul Vaughan and Jarrod Wallace are the next two on the list, with Vaughan heading to the Bulldogs to revive his career, and Wallace improving majorly during 2021 at the Titans.
Players still off-contract: Jayden Berrell, Aaron Booth, Manase Fainu, Temple Kalepo, Freddy Lussick, Ben Marschke, Mitch Rein, Tom Starling, Jake Turpin
Ordinarily, Manase Fainu would be the most chased name on this list, but with his court case and no-fault stand-down rule still in effect, he simply can't be at this stage.
Mitch Rein brings the most experience out of all the off-contract hookers, but is unlikely to be the most heavily chased.
The Roosters will need to work out who they keep as back up to Brandon Smith, with Freddy Lussick and Ben Marschke both pushed down the queue unless Sam Verrills leaves the club.
Jayden Berrell will be an intriguing prospect to follow as he transitions from a long stint in the Queensland Cup to the NRL with the Cronulla Sharks, but this is a question of two.
Either Tom Starling or Jake Turpin.
Turpin brings with him one of the game's best defensive techniques but lacks a little in attack. Starling carries all of that in attack and more, however, his own off-field issues are currently standing in the way.
Taking that they get sorted before Round 1 though, he could get some serious offers on the table, although, with the Raiders losing Josh Hodgson for 2023, they are unlikely to let Starling go without a fight.
Players still off-contract: Billy Burns, Michael Chee-Kam, Angus Crichton, Andrew Davey, Matt Doorey, Mitchell Dunn, Tom Eisenhuth, Adam Elliott, Luke Garner, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Jackson Ford, Wade Graham, Jack Gosiewski, Corey Harawira-Naera, Chris Lewis, Heilum Luki, Ryan Matterson, Jack Murchie, Briton Nikora, Keenan Palasia, Pride Petterson-Robati, Kevin Proctor, Tariq Sims, Joe Stimson, Sauaso Sue, Jackson Topine, Kelma Tuilagi
The first off-contract second-rower named to this team is also the easiest selection out of the whole lot. Angus Crichton is a weapon for the Sydney Roosters, a certified Origin player, and will again take that role in 2022.
He is one of the best edge forwards in the game, and it will be starting to make Roosters fans very nervous that they haven't locked him down long-term yet.
The other spot could go to a number of genuine starting options. Adam Elliott, Luke Garner, Wade Graham, Corey Harawira-Naera, Ryan Matterson, Briton Nikora, Kevin Proctor or Tariq Sims would make excellent signings for many clubs across the competition.
Graham and Sims probably lead the queue, however, with Graham's injury history recently, it would be an almighty risk for another club to take him off the Sharks' hands for 2023. Ryan Matterson is in a similar boat given his concussion history.
Nikora has also been a consistent performer for the Sharks, however, doesn't quite some in ahead of Sims.
Corey Harawira-Naera seems to be the player who could challenge the Dragon, who will be let go at the end of 2022.
The Raiders' second-rower is a ball of muscle and has size to go with his footwork and ball-playing ability, but just misses out on the side.
Players still off-contract: Lachlan Burr, Tom Gilbert, J'maine Hopgood, Corey Horsburgh, Max King, Josh McGuire, Chris Smith, Jack Williams
The number of quality locks off-contract at the end of 2022 is a little less than some of the other positions.
Josh McGuire is the standout name when it comes to an experienced body trucking it up in the middle third or making a lot of tackles, but his discipline and age leaves plenty to be desired.
J'maine Hopgood and Tom Gilbert at the Panthers and Cowboys respectively are expected to continue to expand their roles this season, but at this stage, don't come in ahead of Corey Horsburgh.
The red-headed Raider has struggled with injury over the past 12 months, but back to his best this year, will push for a spot in Ricky Stuart's starting 17, and could well find himself with an upgraded contract at whichever club he winds up in for 2023.
Jack Williams is the other player who could contend with Horsburgh, but is just a touch behind.
For the bench, we will use one spine player, back five option, one middle forward and one second-rower to round out the side.
The utility back or spine option has to be Chanel Harris-Tavita. As tempting as it is to pick Simi Sasagi here - who is the most talented junior on the list - Chanel Harris-Tavita's signature could be the most hotly contested.
He has already confirmed he will hit the open market, which caused the Warriors to offer him a deal earlier than they were originally planning on.
For the back five option, it's hard to go past Taylan May. Others - like Dean Ieremia, Isaac Lumelume or even Kevin Naiqama - might have a lot more experience than him, but by the end of the year, it could be reasonably anticipated that May is hot property in the competition.
When it comes to a middle forward on the bench, it's either Vaughan or Wallace. Both former Origin players, it's hard to split them given Wallace's improvement at the back end of 2021, but it feels as if Vaughan has more to give at this stage of his career.
The question for the final second-row spot comes down to Graham or Harawira-Naera. Graham is a better all-round player, but his injury past means Harawira-Naera takes the spot.
The team
1. Matt Dufty (Canterbury Bulldogs)
2. Josh Mansour (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
3. Jack Bird (St George Illawarra Dragons)
4. Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
6. Ashley Taylor (New Zealand Warriors)
7. Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)
8. Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles)
9. Tom Starling (Canberra Raiders)
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters)
11. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
12. Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
13. Corey Horsburgh (Canberra Raiders)
14. Chanel Harris-Tavita (New Zealand Warriors)
15. Taylan May (Penrith Panthers)
16. Paul Vaughan (Canterbury Bulldogs)
17. Corey Harawira-Naera (Canberra Raiders)