While the annual NRL market frenzy is set to kick off in the coming weeks, we have taken a look internally to see who your club should lock down before they look externally.
Surprise, surprise. After a breakout 2018 season in which Pangai Junior displayed his powerful potential to the NRL, the Tongan representative opted to re-sign with the Broncos on a one-year deal.
Having flown out of the gates in 2019, recording impressive statistics of 146 running metres per game as well as being sixth in the competition for tackle breaks, rumours have begun circulating already in regard to the Roosters preparing a huge offer for Pangai Junior.
With Pangai Junior set to break into the Origin set up with New South Wales this year, it is said the Broncos would need to put together a financial package in the ballpark of $800,000 a season to retain their star man.
Just one game shy of racking up 100 caps with the green machine, dynamic winger Jordan Rapana goes into 2019 with a point to prove having returned from major shoulder surgery and without a contract for next season.
The more consistent half of the dangerous 'Leipana' duo, the value Rapana brings to his team cannot be understated. With the Kiwis representative acting as another forward when getting his team out of their own end, averaging an impressive 141 running metres per game over the past three seasons in the nation's capital.
Following Blake Ferguson's notable $1.5 million three-year deal at Parramatta, the market value for winger's has risen. However, after having told the Canberra Times that "Obviously I want to stay here - I just got engaged, the missus is from here and this has become my home-away-from-home … so ideally this is where I want to be," the Raiders appears to be in the box-seat to re-sign their prized asset.
After an impressive debut in round 9 of 2018 against the Broncos that included a try with his first touch on debut, Rhyse Martin took the NRL by storm for the rest of the year in an otherwise dour Bulldogs team.
Featuring 14 times over the remainder of the season, Martin recorded impressive statistics of 105 running metres per game, 32 tackles and a scarcely believable 36 goals from 38 attempts.
Off-contract at the end of the year and with the Bulldogs still reeling from the farcical salary cap management of the previous board, Martin opted to re-sign on a one-year deal below his market rate and earn a long-term contract through his performances in 2019.
Having missed out on selection in the Bulldogs first two games, Martin is back into the team for round three thanks to a combination of solid NSW cup form and dour performances from the Bulldogs first grade team. If he can perform anywhere near the levels he did last year, the Bulldogs would be foolish to not re-sign the PNG international.
After the retirement of stalwart Luke Lewis and the injury suffered by Wade Grahan, all of a sudden, the edge back-row spots were up for grabs in the Shire for the first time in a long time. In stepped Briton Nikora.
Still only 21 years old, Nikora was handed his debut in round 1 against the Knights in which he played the full eighty minutes. Still extremely raw having only played two NRL games to date, Nikora has shown plenty in the opportunities he has been afforded. Averaging an extremely impressive 125 running metres per game, as well as 37 tackles at an efficiency of 92.2%.
Having represented the Junior Kiwis and being chosen in the 2017 NYC team of the year, Nikora has plenty of runs on the board in terms of his junior accomplishments.
Although we're unsure about Nikora's actual contract status, with Cronulla searching for a long-term heir to Luke Lewis' throne, they could do much worse than tie down the rookie Nikora to a long-term deal in the Shire.
One of the most hyper juniors coming through in recent memory, Brenko Lee struggled initially with the weight of expectation when he graduated from the NYC to the NRL at the Canberra Raiders. Following a quick stop at the Bulldogs and a move up to South Queensland with the Titans, Lee has finally found his feet under Titans coach Garth Brennan.
After signing an initial one-year deal with the Titans, Brennan impressed in his 14 games in 2018, contributing an impressive four tries, six try assists and 137 running metres per game. These impressive numbers earnt Lee another one-year extension on the glitter strip, tying him to the club until the end of the season.
After a pre-season focused on fitness and defence, Lee has started 2019 in similarly solid form. Averaging a similarly impressive 140 running metres per game while holding onto his trademark attacking instincts, looking extremely dangerous in his two games on the wing utilising his agility and size to beat defenders late at the line.
After signing back to back one-year extensions on the Gold Coast, do not be surprised to see the Titans lock down one of their most exciting prospects down to a longer-term deal.
After showing glimpses of his talent during one-year stints at the Rabbitohs and Panthers, Apisai Koroisau has cemented himself as one of the most dangerous hookers in the game since moving to the Peninsula in 2016.
In the previous two seasons since making the move to the Northern beaches, Koroisau has staved off competition from the likes of Matt Parcell and Lewis Brown to cement himself as the Sea Eagles premier hooker. His outstanding form in the early rounds of 2018 also had him well in contention for a State of Origin debut, however a fractured foot, unfortunately, took away that potential opportunity.
Since moving to the Sea Eagles, his dangerous running game around the ruck and consistent workmanlike performances in defence have cemented him as a fan favourite amongst the Sea Eagles faithful and coaching staff.
Still only 26 and with most top teams set for a top-class number 9, I would be extremely surprised to see Koroisau not sign on with Manly for the long-term.
After debuting for the Storm back in 2016 Christian Welch has cemented himself as one of Craig Bellamy’s go to forwards in his 65 NRL games to date.
Under-rated by most outside of the Melbourne Storm system, Welch has gained his due plaudits in the past few seasons by being named as 18th man for the Queensland Maroons on various occasions.
Still only 24, Welch is about to enter his prime years as a front-row forward, and after losing so many gun forwards to opposition clubs over the years, you can bet Craig Bellamy will be doing everything within his power to keep hold of the Gladstone junior.
With Welch now applying his effective negotiations course completed at Harvard to help him conduct his own contract negotiations and the Storm having released Sam Kasiano to the Super League to free up cap space, 2019 is set to be a big year for Christian Welch both on and off the field.
With an extremely impressive strike rate of 47 tries from 90 appearances since debuting back in 2015, Solomone Kata has forged himself into one of the most dangerous centres on the open market.
Having last signed a deal with the Warriors back in 2016 off the back of an impressive first two seasons in first-grade, Kata has since gone onto cement himself as a regular for the Kiwis, and later Tonga after switching allegiances.
Standing at a nuggety 177 cm and 104 kg, Kata utilises his nuggety and powerful frame to get low and drive towards the try line when in tight spaces, with many opposition centres unable to deal with his combination of pace and power.
Having shifted from the left side to his preferred right centre position for the beginning of 2019, Kata could command a decent pay packet on the market thanks to being one of the most dangerous ball-running centres available.
While other notable players such as Shaun Kenny-Dowall (31) and Jamie Buhrer (29) and the injury-riddled Slade Griffin are off-contract, I have chosen Hymel Hunt as the man Newcastle should re-sign due to his age and versatility.
Having played for the Junior Maroons, Junior Kangaroos, and being selected in the NYC team of the year for 2013, Hymel Hunt was one of the most hyped teenagers coming through the NRL in the earlier part of this decade.
Having just racked up his 50th appearance in the NRL thanks to sporadic appearances with the Titans, Storm, and Rabbitohs, Hunt finally looks to have cemented himself in a young and dynamic entre pairing with Jesse Ramien thanks to a handy 117 running metres per game over the first three rounds.
Coming off his best NRL season to date in 2018, in which he won 13 of 18 games played and contributed a handy seven tries, Hunt would be a cost-effective option that could shore up the Knights outside back stocks for the next few seasons.
Having been named twice as NYC five-eighth of the year and having contributed an obscene 74 try-assists across two seasons for the Wests Tigers in the NYC, the signs have always been there that Te Maire Martin was going to be a serious player.
After a disappointing year-long stint at Penrith, Martin obtained a release from his contract to move to the far North to become Jonathan Thurston's understudy.
Having been shifted between the halves, fullback and the bench, Martin has contributed with an impressive 11 tries and 10 try-assists across his time at the Cowboys.
Still only 23 and equally adept at fullback or in the halves, Martin provides the Cowboys with versatility and quality in both positions and would be a brilliant foil for the now organising Michael Morgan going forward.
A fan favourite at Parramatta, the man affectionately known as King Gutho has cemented himself as one of Parramatta's leaders in their recent struggles and is one of the few players to have gone through this tumultuous period and enhanced their reputation.
Equally capable at five-eighth and fullback, Gutherson's game management, ball-playing ability, and superior fitness have cemented him as Parramatta's go-to man in times of trouble.
Entering his fourth Season at Parramatta after being unbelievably released by his junior club Manly, Gutherson has thrust himself into Origin contention in previous seasons thanks to his consistently exemplary form under Brad Arthur.
With rumours circulating that former club Manly are interested in bringing the Cromer Kingfishers junior home, Sporting News has reported that Parramatta has an agreement in place which gives them first option on contract negotiations before Gutherson can speak with rivals.
Gutherson is the heart and soul of Parramatta, and I'm sure Eels fans would agree that their new retention panel should pull out all the stops to retain their inspirational co-captain.
Following the unfortunate injury and subsequent retirement of Peter Wallace mid-way through 2018, Sione Katoa has cemented himself as the Panthers starting hooker since.
Predominantly used as an interchange utility early on in his career, Katoa provides great versatility as he is able to cover the halves, back row, and his preferred hooker position.
Katoa is coming off his most prolific season to date with the mountain men, having contributed six-try assists in his 20 games last season. As well as recording a notable 94.2% efficiency over the early rounds of 2019, for context that would have placed him fifth for tackle efficiency in the entire competition in 2018.
Still learning his craft as a hooker, Katoa has displayed he has the potential to become a top player for Penrith through his rugged defensive style and dangerous running game. If Penrith does not lock down the Tongan international soon, I am sure another club will.
After a lean few seasons for the Bunnies thanks to some dodgy ball-handling and fitness issues, George Burgess had a resurgent 2018 after being utilised sporadically to maximise his output by now Broncos coach Anthony Seibold.
He rotated well with brothers Sam and Tom to often win the battle of the middle for Souths in 2018, George himself contributed a solid 24 tackles and 103 run metres per game.
In an exemplary piece of roster management, George is the only real notable player off contract in Redfern (bar John Sutton who is expected to retire), and at only 26 years old still has plenty of good years ahead of his as a front-rower.
After denying a lucrative 3-year $1.8 million deal from Parramatta in the pre-season, George has backed himself to earn a new long-term deal in Redfern that he hopes will keep him at Souths for the remainder of his playing career.
With the Dragons having signed James Graham to a two year deal with an option for a third, I have tried to avoid the hypotheticals and go for a player who is genuinely off-contract, that being local junior Blake Lawrie.
After debuting back in 2017, Lawrie cemented himself as a bench option for St George Illawarra over the back half of 2018. The Junior Kangaroos representative utilises his unusual build to great effect in contact, this in combination with his surprising agility makes the man known as Blocker tough to bring down.
After the suspension of Jack De Belin and injury to Tyson Frizell, Lawrie has been thrust into the starting line-up and performed admirably. With the 22-year old averaging an impressive 106 running metres and 32 tackles per game over the early rounds of the season.
With Director of Rugby League Pathways Ian Milward having performed brilliant business for the joint venture club to retain almost all of their off-contract stars bar Josh Dugan in previous years, expect Paul McGregor and Milward to tie down the highly rated Lawrie to an extension sooner rather than later.
After almost being lost to the game due to off-field issues, Zane Tetevano has come good on the promise he displayed in his early years at the Knights.
Cementing himself as an enforcer off the bench for the Roosters in 2018, Tevevano was a more than capable understudy for representative props Dylan Napa and Jared Waerea Hargreaves, maintaining the momentum created by the two in the initial stages.
Tetevano averaged 99 running metres and 21 tackles across his 27 games in limited minutes across 2018, establishing himself as a favourite of coach Trent Robinson.
Tetevano is one of the finer substitute forwards in the competition, maintaining momentum and quality whether coming off the bench or starting for the Bondi boys. After the Roosters showed faith in the troubled Tetevano to sign him in 2017, I would be surprised to see him elsewhere unless the Roosters opt against re-signing him for 2019.
Known as "Moneyballer" by his Wests Tigers teammates, Corey Thompson has typified the resurgence of the joint venture club in recent seasons. Equally adept at fullback or on the wing, Thompson does a job for his team no matter the number on his back.
After an extremely successful stint in the Super League with Widnes that saw him bag 41 tries in 47 games, Thompson returned to the Tigers in the form of a one-year deal.
After finishing 2018 as the Tigers top try scorer, the diminutive winger cemented himself as a crowd favourite amongst the Tigers faithful thanks to his scarcely believable finishing and ability to regularly punch above his weight.
Thompson has said that he is keen to stay at Concord in the form of a two or three-year deal, and being 28 this could be his last opportunity to earn a decent payday as an NRL player. Seeing that Thomspon has more than proven himself since returning to Australia, it would be a wise move for the Tigers to lock down the acrobatic wide man.