The 2025 NRL season is now in the books after the Broncos’ thrilling grand final win.

Attention turns to the international Test matches and the November 1 free agency deadline before a long off-season looms.

However, the end of the season means there are several players without a deal for 2026 who are faced with very uncertain futures.

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The biggest names without a contract for 2026 (in no particular order).

JACK GOSIEWSKI

Jack Gosiewski was a quiet achiever under Michael Maguire this season, having been included in the Broncos extended squad for the grand final. He is without a contract for 2026, and injuries once again plagued him this year, suffering a broken arm, a shoulder and a collarbone blow. The 31-year-old did start in the back row at the beginning of 2025, before he once again found a run-on spot in Round 22, 23 and 24, showing he is still in Maguire’s plans. He’s previously made it clear he wants to remain at the Red Hill club, but with their salary cap squeeze it remains to be seen if a deal can be struck between the two parties. Gosiewski would be a solid cut-price pick-up for a host of teams looking to bolster their edge forward stocks.

COREY HARAWIRA-NAERA

Corey Harawira-Naera has not taken the field since May 2023 after suffering a horrific seizure which threatened to end what was an impressive career prematurely. This year, he was reportedly informed all medical and legal roadblocks stopping him from playing rugby league had been cleared, but he is yet to feature in NSW Cup. It has been widely reported that the Raiders still had reservations about letting the back rower play, meaning a club switch could be on the cards in 2026. The Daily Telegraph previously reported the Bulldogs were one club interested in handing him a train-and-trial lifeline, which is yet to be confirmed but it looks almost certain he will continue his rugby league career in 2026.

DANNY LEVI

Danny Levi was let go by the Raiders at the end of the 2025 season, and he took to social media with a hilarious post. After farewelling his teammates in Instagram, at the bottom of his caption he wrote “who’s hiring?”. As it stands, he is without a contract a move to the Super League looks likely for the hooker, who has played 141 NRL games to date across stints with the Knights, Sea Eagles, Broncos and Raiders. At the age of 29, Levi has a lot left to give and already has Super League ties, having played 30 games for Huddersfield in 2022. Levi is a strong chance of picking up a deal abroad and has shown he is more than capable of defending in the middle and creating from the ruck. And with the increase in the overseas quote in the Super League, there’s more contracts on offer than ever.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 01: Danny Levi of the Raiders passes the ball during the round 13 NRL match between Dolphins and Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, on June 01, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

ADAM ELLIOTT

One of the better players on this list is Elliott, who is set to turn 31 in a week. The Bega product only saw the field seven times this year before a torn bicep ended his season. It’s unclear if there has been any interest in the lock forward, but you’d think there would be teams who at least take a look before 2026 pre-season begins. Injury wise, Elliott is expected to be fully fit by the start of next season.

MARION SEVE

Seve made headlines this season when he sported goggles in an NRL match to protect a serious eye injury. He only played four first grade games in 2025, starting in the centres in three of those. While he comes off contract at the end of this season, Seve wasn’t part of the departing players list announced at the club’s awards night earlier this week. That seems to indicate Seve could be part of the Storm’s plans next year.

MAWENE HIROTI

Mawene Hiroti is without a contract as it stands. But an extension to remain at the Sharks looms as a mere formality for the talented outside back. He is set to re-sign for next season, but right now rival clubs still could swoop in and secure his services, having previously been linked with a move to the Dragons. The 26-year-old had one of his best seasons to date in 2025, playing nine games and scoring five tries after injuries in the Cronulla backline. He slotted in at both centre and on the wing, showing he more than capable of being a regular first grader. Hiroti will likely once again compete with Sam Stonestreet to be the next cab off the rank in the backline.

SEAN O’SULLIVAN

Sean O’Sullivan would be a solid pick-up for a host of NRL clubs. Halfbacks with first grade experience are hard to come by, and even harder to keep so it shapes as a big call for the Dolphins to let him walk. O’Sullivan has been widely linked with a move to the Bulldogs, whose halfback stocks have been depleted with Toby Sexton departing. O’Sullivan looks to be the man to mentor the club’s young halves in Lachlan Galvin and Mitch Woods for a season or two before it’s expected he makes a move into coaching.

TOMMY TALAU

The talented outside back wasn’t offered a new contract by the Sea Eagles after playing just three first grade games this past season. Talau made a great impression with Manly in 2024, scoring 18 tries, however he was stuck behind a talented Sea Eagles backline this season so his opportunities were limited. At this stage, there doesn’t appear to be any NRL suitors, but it has been reported that Talau is looking at a switch to the UK Super League. Given he’s relatively young (25) and with a bit to offer, he can bring his best form to the Super League, he’ll be an excellent pick up.

NRL 2024 QF Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles – Tommy Talau, try, celebration. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

LAZARUS VAALEPU

The late blooming prop played in the 2024 Grand Final after Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s suspension, but only managed four games for the Storm in 2025, taking his career tally to 12. He remains unsigned by the Storm in 2026, but the fact they didn’t farewell him officially at their award’s night is a hint they may opt to re-sign him before next season. Vaalepu is still only 26 and would be a handy pick-up for a team looking for depth in their middles. He played two Tests for Samoa in 2024 and will only get better with an extended run to show his wares in first grade. They don’t give Storm jerseys out to anyone, so the fact that he played a Grand Final with Melbourne shows he has some ability and just needs more opportunities in the top grade. If the Storm don’t lock him up he would be a handy addition to a team like the Knights, who are struggling for middles.

TUI KAMIKAMICA

Ran onto Accor Stadium last Sunday night as the only player who was unsigned for 2026. At this stage, it appears he won’t be in a Storm jersey next season as the club can only offer him a cut-price deal due to salary cap restraints. He could have been one of the heroes in the decider but made a crucial error over the line which should have resulted in a try. Outside of that error, he had a decent game off the bench, indicating the 31-year-old has at least another season in the NRL in him. The Broncos and Rabbitohs have reportedly shown interest but that has since cooled. St Helens is also interested according to reports, but the forward has a desire to remain in Australia.

JACKSON HASTINGS

Given there is a shortage of quality halves, it’s somewhat of a shock that Hastings remains unsigned. He’s not the player he once was, but he could provide an upgrade at halfback to a handful of teams. He clearly fell out of favour at the Knights, not being given a chance until late in the season despite being on $800k a season. The Titans were linked to Hastings two weeks ago but they have pulled out of the race. A team like the Cowboys could show interest to partner Tom Dearden as there are question marks at five-eighth. St. George are another club who could use an upgrade, although 2026 recruit Dan Atkinson is being tipped to wear the No. 7 next year.

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DAINE LAURIE

The versatile 26-year-old has shown what he can do when given the chance by the Panthers over the past couple of seasons since rejoining from the Tigers. He performed well at fullback in the absence of Dylan Edwards but behind the gun No. 1, there just aren’t any consistent opportunities at the foot of the mountains. Laurie is set to leave Penrith for the second time with the Raiders the red-hot favourites to land him. It has been reported that the Green Machine are on the verge of signing Laurie to a multi-year deal. He’ll provide depth at fullback and in the halves, but expect him to start the season in reserve grade.

DAVID KLEMMER

The prop remains without a team for the 2026 season after joining the Dragons at the start of the year. Klemmer began 2025 on the Tigers’ roster but after a fallout with Benji Marshall, he was looking for another opportunity. The Dragons came calling and for a young, inexperienced forward pack, Klemmer’s veteran presence was a huge asset, with the 31-year – old taking on a mentoring role. In an injury-ravaged forward pack, Klemmer averaged 100 metres and nearly 30 tackles a game across 22 appearances. His form at the back end of the season was particularly strong. While he is well past his best, he still clearly has something left in the tank and will provide plenty of experience and valuable middle forward depth for whatever team wishes to sign him.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 25: David Klemmer of the Dragons looks on during the round 21 NRL match between Cowboys and Dragons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on July 25, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

COREY ALLAN

Joining the Dragons in 2024, Allan suffered a season-ending knee injury and didn’t play a game. Finally donning the Red V in 2025, the former Maroons winger was a solid contributor at times for the Dragons and had some good moments, scoring five tries in 12 games and averaging 130 running metres per game. However, the club have decided that Allan isn’t in their plans going forward and have even offered him to Super League clubs. The outside back’s preference is to stay in Sydney, but if no clubs come knocking, the 27-year-old may be forced to head to the UK.

SILIVA HAVILI

The 32-year-old was one of Souths’ most consistent players in 2025, playing 23 games and most of them starting at hooker amid the club’s horror injury crisis. With nine tries in 173 NRL games for the Warriors, Dragons, Raiders and Rabbitohs, Havili showed in 2025 he still has plenty to offer before he hangs up the boots. After being named in the Tonga squad for the Pacific Championships, Havili will get a chance to put himself in the shop window and push for an NRL lifeline or he may opt to finish his career in the Super League. But given he can cover hooker and lock, and even prop, he would be a handy veteran to pick up to provide squad depth in those positions and he wouldn’t break the bank.

ZACH DOCKAR-CLAY

The versatile utility can cover hooker and the halves and played 16 games for the Roosters in 2025, before falling out of favour due to the emergence of Benaiah Ioelu. With the club signing Reece Robson and with Connor Watson on their books, as well as the reported signing of Daly Cherry-Evans to join the halves ranks with Sam Walker and Hugo Savala, Dockar-Clay was surplus to requirements. However, with 36 games of NRL experience the 30-year-old could definitely be a depth option at another club. Given his age, there has been little interest in the NRL, but Dockar-Clay has proven he can do a job when injuries strike and with two more expansion teams coming, his NRL career might have a few chapters left.

BRENT NADEN

The 29-year-old was farewelled by the Tigers at the end of the season after scoring one try in eight games in 2025, to take his career tally to 34 in 80 games. Naden has struggled with injuries and form since leaving the Panthers at the end of the 2021 season, but he still could help a club looking for experience in the outside backs. Naden is a decisive ball runner and while he struggles defensively at times, he can provide depth and versatility covering wing and centre, while he also played fullback early in his career. Naden’s best years in the NRL are behind him, but he could still be a handy pick-up to step up if injuries strike.