The second the clock ticks over into November, a host of NRL talent come off-contract for 2023 and beyond.
With the Dolphins entering the competition in 2023, this will most certainly be the craziest signing period we've seen since the last time the NRL expanded, way back in 2007.
Most players won't be ready to make deals on the first day of November. It's massively unlikely for big deals to happen right away, and with the addition of the Dolphins, I suspect player agents will be advising players to wait and speak to everyone.
That said, there are a few players who will be inundated with offers the literal second the page in that calendar is turned.
We take a look at the top ten players who can, and probably will, cause a chaotic scramble for their services.
23-year-old Blayke Brailey will have close to 100 NRL appearances by 2023 and will be in the prime of his career.
Brailey has long been earmarked as the next superstar number nine. 2022 shapes as a career year given the Sharks side is now stacked with players who complement his game.
Cronulla have well and truly hitched their wagon to Brailey as their long-term number nine. He's a local junior and was preferred over his brother, Jayden.
The Sharks will not want to let him go. That said, the Gold Coast Titans are looking for a marquee nine while the Dolphins will be linked to every off-contract player.
Other clubs who could be interested include the St George Illawarra Dragons (McCullough is 31), the Canberra Raiders (looking to move Josh Hodgson on) and the New Zealand Warriors (no stand out nine option). He will be in demand.
Young, affordable, speedster centres who have been developed under Craig Bellamy do not come available very often.
Truthfully, I can't see Bellamy even allowing this to advance to the point where other clubs are allowed to speak to the lightning-quick outside back.
If he does though, there will be a list of suitors.
The Sharks are screaming out for a centre in the mould of Smith. He would make the Sea Eagles outside backs even more dangerous.
Throw in the Warriors, the Tigers, and the Titans.
Smith isn't likely to attract the million-dollar offers of some higher on the list but in terms of pure quantity of teams chasing his signature, he could be among the most sought after.
It looks as though Ryan Matterson has finally found his long-term home at NRL level in the Eels.
That said, he's shown before that he's willing to move to either back himself or to maximise his earning potential.
The Eels are facing a salary cap squeeze. They have two superstar second-rowers off contract as well as Dylan Brown to re-sign.
That brings a plethora of teams into the equation. The Titans will be looking to replace Proctor soon, while the Sharks have decisions to make with regards to Wade Graham.
He would walk into the Warriors, Tigers, Cowboys or Dragons sides, while you have to know the Dolphins would love to run out with him in their side for 2023.
Calling it now, Christian Welch is the least likely of all players on this list to move. He's Melbourne through and through and I can't see Bellamy allowing him to leave.
Again though, there's a side coming in that presents Welch with a series of positives that may force him to, at least, have a little look.
The Dolphins will need an inaugural captain. There are few better options than Welch.
They also have a blank cheque to bring Welch back to where he played his junior footy with the Brisbane Tigers.
At only 27, Welch would be on the radar of almost every single NRL coach. The reason I'm not linking him to every club other than the Dolphins is he just screams one-club-man.
The Dolphins could, however, put together a package to drag him away. Potentially.
One thing is for certain. Young Papali'i is set for a monster pay bump on his next contract. He's set to be heavily chased if the Eels allow it to happen.
He has a breakout season in 2021 that very few saw coming. Papali'i backed himself, moved across the Tasman and produced incredible performances.
The Eels will have to double his reported salary to even be in the race for his services beyond his current agreement. I would be shocked if he isn't upgraded and extended within the next week.
If he is allowed to speak to other clubs, I wouldn't mind being his agent.
The Cowboys, the Tigers, the Dolphins, the Titans. All big players. I'd be sending emails to the Sharks and Dragons too. Even his former club the Warriors will want to right the wrong.
The Eels signed a diamond in Papali'i. I can't see them wanting to let him go but it may come down to a Papali'i vs Matterson. They may only be able to re-sign one.
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23-year-old Briton Nikora is one of the game's most underrated regular staring second-rowers. He is a huge part of the Sharks future.
That said, there are big rumblings that the Warriors are about to lodge an assault on his signature. Given he was born in New Zealand and his impressive partnership with Shaun Johnson, this is not a stretch.
Nikora would be the perfect signing for the Dolphins. A name second-rower with a monster future, right as he's hitting his peak. I wouldn't imagine it would be a bank-breaking signature either.
The Sharks need to go out of their way to tie down their right edge back-rower. He's been a staple across two seasons and his defence improved out of sight in 2021.
I also expect there to be interest from the Knights, Tigers and Cowboys.
Cody Walker is 31 as I type this. By the time 2023 comes around he'll be 33. That's the only reason he's not sitting higher on this list.
The Dolphins are going to do everything within their power to sign a big-name playmaker. Cody Walker shapes as the option.
His relationship with inaugural coach Wayne Bennett is very well documented. You have to believe his former mentor will be in his ear the second he can be.
Walker started late so he doesn't have the miles on his body of some other 33 year-olds in the league.
There is no chance in the world that Souths will simply allow him to walk to the fledgling club without a fight. Losing their two starting halves across two off-seasons would be horrid.
Given his age and likely asking price this shapes as a two-way battle. That said, possibly the most hotly contested straight shoot out in the player market.
Another player I expect the Eels to move heaven and earth to re-sign is their superstar number nine.
Mahoney is an Origin quality player who could immediately change the outlook of a side like the Titans.
The Dolphins are reportedly very keen on the young Queenslander. He is the kind of signing who would be absolutely perfect for the new club.
He'll be 25 midway through the 2023 season and everything about his 2021 season suggests he's going to quickly become an elite option at nine.
You have to believe the Eels make him an urgent priority. The lack of options at nine on the market dictate his value is very high.
Whether or not they can hold off the Dolphins, Titans and possibly the Raiders, is yet to be seen.
Joseph Manu has a life-changing decision coming up. Whether he stays, at centre, at the Roosters, or chases a fullback spot at multiple clubs.
The Warriors have been less than shy in indicating they want Manu to be their long-term fullback. Reece Walsh evidently wants to play at six and this would allow that to happen.
The Roosters won't want to let arguably the game's best centre leave either.
The Sharks have been linked to Manu since Fitzbiggon signed with the club. He would be the literal perfect signing for a club looking to rebuild.
The Cowboys have a star option at one but need a big-name signing. So too the Tigers. He walks into the Dragons backline. Sharks too.
Look for the Warriors to go all in here. They've missed out on too many stars by being cautious. I don't think that will happen here.
They'll have to beat the chasing pack to secure the signing though.
No player on the NRL market is going to attract the attention of the Storm megastar.
Smith is one of the game's most popular players. In 2021 he established himself as one of the game's very best players also.
There are reports that his agent will be sending emails to say he's open to speaking to anyone who is interested. This almost rules the Storm out.
The Storm simply can't offer the salary that other clubs will be able to offer up.
The Titans need a superstar nine to round of their outfit. The Dolphins being able to roll out Brandon Smith as their first signing would be the perfect start for their build.
The Raiders are looking for a long-term nine. The Roosters are an option.
Then there are the teams who could play Smith at 13; The Tigers, Newcastle, the Warriors. The Bulldogs have been very open in their chase.
Smith would walk into any side in the competition outside perhaps the Panthers and maybe Manly. The only clubs who won't be in on him are those with salary cap pressure.
If Melbourne can't complete a deal in the next few days, this could be mayhem.