The Pacific Championships and Ashes series are in full swing and the free agency window is about to be blown wide open come November 1.
There’s no better way to put yourself in the shop window than delivering on the field, so these players are in the midst of a huge opportunity.
Here, foxsports.com.au breaks down the players who could boost their stocks during the Pacific Championships and Ashes series.
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LINDSAY SMITH
Lindsay Smith sits in a peculiar position ahead of his second Test, earning a call-up to replace Panthers teammate Isaah Yeo who suffered a head knock in the series opener.
Penrith officials have reportedly tabled him a deal to make him a Panthers for life, but considering the gun prop is in Ashes camp, he looks certain to hit the open market.
The Panthers are hopeful Smith will lead their forward pack for years to come, but the 25-year-old could have other ideas if mammoth contracts are tabled.
With a strong Ashes showing, and Mal Meninga watching on intently, the Perth Bears could swoop in and table a lucrative contract.
Smith is a player a forward pack can be built around and has the potential to shift to lock, a position which is currently locked down by Yeo in Penrith’s spine.
Quality middle forwards are difficult to come by, so a host of clubs like the Dragons and Titans could also approach his management regarding a potential move.
KEAON KOLOAMATANGI
Keaon Koloamatangi was the in-form prop of the competition at one point during the 2025 season and now he’s set to hit the open market.
It’s bizarre the Rabbitohs have been yet to lock him down, and with further Test appearances, his value could only grow.
The 27-year-old is an elite back rower and middle forward and he still has some of his best years ahead of him, making it all the more confusing as to why Souths haven’t handed him a new deal.
Regardless, Koloamatangi could become one of the hottest transfer targets come November 1 and field some mammoth offers.
The Rabbitohs are arguably one of the teams in desperate need of middle forward reinforcements, so to lose one of their best would be a hammer blow.
With David Fifita set to land in Redfern, it looms likely the Titans could look to have Koloamatangi travel the opposite direction.
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GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI
Gehamat Shibasaki’s stocks only continue to rise in 2025.
Starting the year with a train-and-trial, the Broncos gun made his Origin and Test debuts this year after almost giving up on playing professional rugby league altogether.
It’s a staggering story, but now he faces a crucial decision.
The Broncos handed the 27-year-old an upgrade to their top 30 for the 2026 season, but he is reportedly still only earning around $140,000.
Shibasaki is performing at the level of the NRL’s elite centres, and once November 1 rolls around he will undoubtedly field offers from several clubs.
Brisbane will likely be unable to match their rival’s contracts, already facing a mammoth salary cap squeeze with the likes of Payne Haas yet to re-sign.
The Perth Bears are the obvious option considering the clean slate of their salary cap, but the Eels could be another club who could look to bolster their backline.
MATT TIMOKO
Matt Timoko is a player that wasn’t initially expected to hit the open market on November 1.
The Raiders have options in their favour for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, and considering he is a regular fixture under Ricky Stuart, it looked certain they’d take at least the first up.
Instead, the 25-year-old is set to be free to negotiate with rivals and the Kiwi international could be a hot commodity.
Timoko has played 111 NRL games to date, scoring 34 tries in the right centre role, a position that could be considered to be lacking in elite options across the competition.
At risk of sounding like a broken record, the Perth Bears are the obvious club would could make a play for his services.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys could be on the lookout to fill the void left by the departure of Valentine Holmes last season, while Jaxon Purdue’s future is also uncertain.
Timoko’s hard-running style would certainly be a hit with the North Queensland faithful.
Kangaroos name team for 2nd test | 00:22
TE MAIRE MARTIN
Te Maire Martin has been resigned to a bench role for both the Warriors and the Kiwis, earning a spot on the pine under Stacey Jones to face Tonga.
The 30-year-old’s contract with the Warriors runs out at the end of 2026, so his next deal could potentially be his last as a professional.
Considering he spent a handful of years out of the game to battle a bleed on his brain, Martin could play into his mid 30s if his body allows him to do so.
A talented playmaker, who has proven he can do a job as a utility at hooker, Martin could be a solid recruitment option for a host of clubs.
It might sound absurd, but a return to the club he made his debut for, the Panthers could work considering Ivan Cleary doesn’t have a clear-cut utility option outside of Jack Cole.
With a strong performance for the Kiwis, Martin could put himself in the shop front for clubs once November 1 rolls around.
SIONE KATOA
The Sharks have several salary cap calls to make, but keeping Sione Katoa could be one of their easiest.
But still, the gun winger looks set to hit the open market come November 1 and elite try-scoring wingers can be hot targets.
The 28-year-old scored only seven tries in 15 games in 2025, with his season curtailed due to injury, but prior to that he had tallied, 17, 13 and 14 four-pointers.
For Tonga, Katoa has another chance to showcase his skills, especially his carries from the back field which have become crucial for each team he plays in.
Katoa was last handed an extension in 2023, but it’s largely been quiet regarding his next move, which could be finalised in the coming weeks once November 1 rolls around.
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SIUA WONG
Siua Wong has made no secrets previously he could consider a return to rugby union.
In January, the 22-year-old revealed he could make a switch to the 15-man code in the future, having already been targeted by Rugby Australia.
“There’s always thoughts, but at the moment my full commitment (is to) the Roosters,” Wong said to Zero Tackle.
“I think that was one of the main reasons I moved over to Scots because they put me into that school and I’ve loved this club and everything that its about.
“I’m keen to see what the future holds, but at the moment, I’ve just been focused on my (rugby league) career.”
With a strong season, and a chance to showcase his skills for Tonga, Wong could be the latest star targeted by R360, considering he has rugby links after attending GPS school Scots College.
The gun back rower comes off contract on November 1, and it remains to be seen if the Roosters will retain him.
MURRAY TAULAGI
The Cowboys have been active in the player market, but their star winger still looks set to hit the open market come November 1.
Murray Taulagi is a talented Origin representative, who battled with injuries in 2025, with his latest being a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old is set to be free to sit down with rivals, and it’s fair to say there will be no shortage of suitors for a player who has six Queensland appearances and a handful of Test appearances for both Samoa and the Kangaroos under his belt.
Plying his trade on the wing for Samoa, Taulagi has already showcased his skills to potentially interested clubs.
He scored a try, ran for 126 metres and broke the line once in a strong showing to down Tonga last weekend.
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CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA
Chanel Harris-Tavita had a strong 2025 season, partnering both Luke Metcalf and Tanah Boyd in the halves for the Warriors.
But the talented playmaker comes off-contract come November 1 and has been plying his trade off the bench for Samoa.
New Zealand took up an option in their favour for the 2026 season, and according to Code Sports, are hopeful of retaining his services.
Harris-Tavita tallied 18 try assists for the Warriors, and he scored a try for Samoa in their win over Tonga, proving he provides value outside of the halves.
With both Harris-Tavita and Martin coming off-contract, New Zealand powerbrokers may have to decide which of those versatile players they keep, considering the emergence of Sam Healey who shapes as a strong bench option.
EDWIN IPAPE
Edwin Ipape is currently contracted until the end of the 2031 season with Leigh Leopards, but there’s potential he makes an NRL switch.
Current Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou has declared the gun hooker is ready made for Australia’s top league, telling Code Sports he would “walk into the NRL”.
“I’ve been with him the last few days and he is one of the sharpest and most elite hookers I’ve ever seen,” he said.
The PNG Chiefs enter the NRL in 2028 as the 19th franchise, and Demetriou is one of the current frontrunners to take the head coaching role.
And considering his praise for Ipape, there’s every chance he attempts to sign him should he get the role.
Regardless, Ipape’s stocks will only grow with more football on the international stage.
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COOPER BAI
Cooper Bai is currently on a development contract with the Titans for the 2026 season, and there’s already clubs lining up for his signature.
The 18-year-old made his NRL and PNG debuts this year, being the son of Storm and Kumuls legend Marcus Bai.
According to Code Sports, both the Roosters and Storm have been monitoring the rising star’s situation, while the Titans are reportedly desperate to retain him.
With David Fifita departing, the Gold Coast now have more salary cap space available to retain Bai, alongside fellow middle forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Off the bench for PNG in their win over the Cook Islands, Bai made a big impact and ran for 147 metres, while making 29 tackles.
It’s clear he is a talent of the future, and he gets another chance to showcase his skills, his value could skyrocket.