The top 10 off-contract players

Who should your team sign?

Published by
Joshua Scibilia

Player movement has increased dramatically over the past couple of years, with many big names swapping teams for more money or better opportunity.

Here are the top 10 players who are entering the final year of their contracts and will be looking to stake their claim for big contracts with their current team or a new one in 2020.

Cooper Cronk is a free agent after the 2019 season but it is highly doubtful he would change teams if he were not to retire.

Alex Glenn (30 years old) – Brisbane Broncos – Second Row

Glenn is now 30 years old and may be pushed out of the club at season's end to save money to re-sign some of the players listed above.

Glenn has stated that this season he intends on earning back the starting spot in the Broncos side and also that he wants to earn a contract extension at the club so that he is able to play 300 games as a Bronco (currently sits at 238 appearances).

If Glenn is made to leave expect to see him move down to the Gold Coast where it was rumoured that he was being offered to during the offseason.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Alex Glenn runs with the ball during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session at Red Hill on February 12, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

 

Mitchell Moses (24 years old) – Parramatta Eels – Five-Eight/Halfback

Moses has been quite up and down in his time as a member of the Eels and this season Moses must find consistency in his performances if there is any hope of him being a part of the Eels future.

Moses’ potential is the reason he is still considered one of the best young halves in the game and if he is allowed to leave the Eels, he will be sought after by many clubs in desperate need of a young half.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Mitchell Moses of the Eels looks on during the round 11 Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)


Joe Ofahengaue (23 years old) – Brisbane Broncos – Prop/Lock

Ofahengaue, although only 23 years old, has been a part of the Broncos set up for a while now and has developed into one of Brisbane’s best forwards.

Because of his rise as one of the best young forwards with plenty of potential, his signature will be coveted all season long by teams needing a solid prop to plug into their forward pack.

At this time it looks like Brisbane will fork out big money to keep the man who has played 70 games already for the club, but his value may rise if he can sneak onto the bench for this seasons Queensland State of Origin team.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Joe Ofahengaue looks to pass during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session on August 22, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Bevin French (23 years old) – Parramatta Eels – Fullback/Wing

The departure of Jarryd Hayne should see French return to being the exciting game changing talent that can score from anywhere on the field.

If French is able to do this he will most likely remain a member of the Eels long term, if not, expect many teams to try and recruit the speedster to get his career heading in the direction we all thought it would be at this point.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Bevan French of the Eels walks from the field during the round 13 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Issac Luke (31 years old) – New Zealand Warriors – Hooker

An out clause in Luke’s contract almost saw the New Zealand international head back to Sydney to play for the Parramatta Eels this season.

Thankfully for Warriors fans the team rewarded their star dummy half with a pay upgrade using some of the money freed up from the loss of Shaun Johnson. However, he still becomes a free agent after the season and there will be many teams joining the queue to sign him.

The perfect fit for the 31-year-old Luke would be to go to a team that believes they are one player away from contending for a premiership.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 31: Issac Luke of the Warriors makes a run during the round 25 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Clint Gutherson (24 years old) – Parramatta Eels – Utility Back

Gutherson needs a big year in whatever positon Brad Arthur puts him to be able to receive the contract that he deserves. The co-captain for the Eels was coming off a torn ACL last season and was noticeably not himself, expect to see him regain the form he showed before the injury where he looked like the games next big thing.

Gutherson is extremely versatile in the backline, making him a top off contract player that many teams would love the chance to sign and make an integral member of their spine.

If the Eels cannot retain Gutherson, expect a bidding war for his services, assuming we get to see the pre-injury player everyone loved to watch.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 14: Clint Gutherson of the Eels looks on during the round 15 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on June 14, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Jordan Rapana (29 years old) – Canberra Raiders – Wing

A shoulder reconstruction will leave Rapana on the sidelines for a large chunk of the season, leaving a huge hole in the Raiders attack.

If he can return for the back end of the season and be the same player he was before the injury, expect the Raiders to make a push to make him a member of the Green Machine for life.

Rapana’s partnership with Joseph Leilua is vital to Canberra’s success and most rugby league fans would be disappointed to see this pair separated.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Jordan Rapana of the Raiders looks dejected after defeat during the round 19 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canberra Raiders at Southern Cross Group Stadium on July 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Corey Oates (24 years old) – Brisbane Broncos – Wing

Oates is one of the best wingers in the competition and like Pangai Jnr, he only signed a one year prove it deal.

Oates will remain on the wing this season and partner Jack Bird on the left, but has made it clear in the past that he has all intentions of moving into his more natural position of second row one day.

Assuming Oates continues to score amazing acrobatic tries for the Broncos, almost every team in the competition will be calling up his management in search of his signature whether it be to play on the wing or in the second row.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Corey Oates of the Broncos breaks away from the defence during the round 11 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

George Burgess (26 years old) – South Sydney Rabbitohs – Prop

When he holds onto the ball George Burgess is a one-man wrecking crew. The 26-year old was heavily linked with a move to the Eels earlier this year but that fell through.

Expect new coach Wayne Bennett to push to re-sign his English prop if he plays up to his potential this season.

If the Rabbitohs cannot get a contract done with the 26-year-old a move out to Parramatta to pair with Junior Paulo up front would still definitely be on the cards.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: George Burgess passes during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at Redfern Oval on September 5, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Tevita Pangai Jnr (23 years old) – Brisbane Broncos – Lock

A one-year prove it deal for one of the best up and coming forwards in the NRL. Pangai Jnr will be linked with moves to many teams over the next year like he was this season when it was reported that he went on a tour of the Newcastle Knights training centre.

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett will also be in the market for the marquee forward as he was the one who really gave Pangai Jnr a shot in first grade at the Broncos. Pangai Jnr has been compared to the likes of Jason Taumalolo for his ability to eat up metres during games but unfortunately injuries hampered him last year, this being the reason he chose to back himself this season and hopefully earn the contract that he deserves.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Tevita Pangai of the Broncos runs the ball during the round 17 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium on July 8, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Published by
Joshua Scibilia