November 1 has officially arrived and with it comes the opportunity for off-contract NRL players to speak with rivals as the race for some of the game’s biggest stars heats up.

Several high-profile five-eighth’s are facing uncertain futures with Blaize Talagi, Cameron Munster and Matt Burton at the top of the list and attracting interest from rival teams.

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Meanwhile, others are hoping to secure their futures with their current club.

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Foxsports.com.au examines where every off-contract NRL five-eighth stands ahead of November 1 and our verdict on where they’ll land.

FULLBACKS: The November 1 verdict on all 12 off-contract fullbacks
HALFBACKS: The November 1 verdict on all nine off-contract halfbacks

BLAIZE TALAGI

After two seasons with the Panthers, Talagi “may not play again” for the club, with his future under speculation for several months.

Brought in to replace Jarome Luai as Nathan Cleary’s halves partner, the 21-year-old has struggled to make the No.6 his own and has found himself relegated to either the centres or the interchange bench at the back end of this year.

The club’s salary cap issues, which could see a number of players leave at the end of 2027 may also force Talagi out of the joint with Jack Cogger, cementing the five-eighth position.

“He may not play again for them potentially,” reporter Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360.

“He’s off-contract at the end of next year so clubs will be circling and if rival clubs comes knocking next year I don’t think Penrith stand in his way.”

Team: Penrith Panthers
Teams linked with: Parramatta Eels
Verdict: Leaving

NRL 2026 RD18 Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs – Blaize Talagi NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph

CAMERON MUNSTER

Hitting the open market after rejecting a two-year extension from the Storm worth roughly around $750,000 a season (a significant pay cut from his current $1.1 million salary), Munster’s future is one to watch in the coming months.

The most accomplished and experienced five-eighth on this list, Munster is unsure whether he will remain in Melbourne and has previously said he is open to a move to Sydney as he continues to explore his options.

“The bright lights would have chewed me up there. I’m older now, so I’d be able to enjoy life a little bit more, but at the same time I was down here for Grand Final weekend (and) seen how crazy it is,” Munster said.

“You’ve got to take the good with the bad. You can either shy away from the media and be in a comfortable position or I can get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

“I want to challenge myself, so I’m not too sure what’s going to happen, but I’m not ruling out leaving.

“I definitely love the club and everything it’s about. Just got to make sure I know what’s out there.

“I’m going to make sure I tick all my boxes before I pigeon myself to one spot.

“We’ll just find out November 1 and see who comes knocking. If there’s none, then Melbourne might get rid of me as well. I might have to play reserve grade.”

Team: Melbourne Storm
Teams linked with: Perth Bears, PNG Chiefs, Sydney-based NRL teams
Verdict: Leaving

INT 2025 RD03INT 2025 RD03 England v Australia – Cameron Munster. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

JAYDEN SULLIVAN

The Rabbitohs are set to be forced into an interesting dilemma regarding playmaker Jayden Sullivan.

Arriving at the club on a short-term arrangement, Sullivan is understood to be on a contract worth around $700,000 a season, but interestingly the Wests Tigers are reportedly forking out $300,000 of his salary per year.

This means if the Rabbitohs end up extending his contract, it is likely to be on a much higher wage than what he is currently listed as on their books.

He is also seemingly down the pecking order with Cody Walker and Ashton Ward still above him, while Taj Alvarez and Matthew Humphries are rising through the ranks and have been earmarked as long-term talents.

Team: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving

LATU FAINU

The youngest of the four Fainu brothers, Latu is keen to remain at the Wests Tigers beyond next season and it is understood the club will be prioritising contract negotiations with him.

While nothing has been sorted between the two parties, it’s hard to imagine he will leave the joint venture, given Samuela and Sione are on long-term deals and he is also being earmarked as Jarome Luai’s successor in the halves.

The only thing against the talented youngster is his injury history, which could mean he earns less than he may have originally wanted.

Don’t be surprised if his future is sorted soon after the conclusion of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup where he is currently representing Tonga.

Team: Wests Tigers
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Staying

LUKE BROOKS

After coming off arguably the best and most consistent season of his career, Brooks could be on the move as the Sea Eagles opt to go in another direction and look towards the future.

Alongside Jamal Fogarty in the halves, Brooks helped Manly win nine out of 15 matches this year before rupturing his ACL at the worst possible time.

Providing seven try assists and eight line-break assists and scoring two tries, Brooks was finally living up to his potential before succumbing to the disastrous injury.

Set to miss the opening rounds, the club are understood to be open to letting him leave if he finds a long-term deal elsewhere and could be handy for a number of teams in the competition.

Team: Manly Sea Eagles
Teams linked with: Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters
Verdict: Leaving

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 27: Luke Brooks of the Sea Eagles warms up during the round 17 NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm at 4 Pines Park, on June 27, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

LYHKAN KING-TOGIA

The rise of Kade Reed and the club’s recruitment of Kodi Nikorima and Luke Metcalf has put Lyhkan King Togia’s career at the Dragons into further doubt.

Once regarded as one of the most talented playmaker prospects in the junior system, King Togia has unfortunately failed to kick on in first-grade and is now unlikely to remain at the Red V beyond the expiration of his current deal.

Aged 24, the Dalby Devils junior has shown glimpses of his potential across his 31 NRL appearances and is bound to attract plenty of suitors.

In ten matches during 2026, he forced four drop-outs, provided five try assists and six line-break assists and scored a try.

Team: St George Illawarra Dragons
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving

MATT BURTON

The likeliest player on this list to depart his current club for new opportunities, Burton could find himself leaving earlier than expected and has been granted permission to speak with rivals for the past week.

“Matt’s manager has requested permission to test the market,” the club’s GM of Football, Phil Gould, tweeted.

“Bulldogs at all times retain last rights. It’s a good way for both Matt and the Bulldogs to gauge his true value. It will give both parties more information.”

Starting the year in the halves, the 2021 Dally M Centre of the Year was shifted to the outside backs mid-way through the season and didn’t return to the halves with Stephen Crichton taking his place.

The emergence of rookies Alex Conti and Mitchell Woods has further complicated his time at the club beyond 2027.

Linked with the Eels and Panthers, it is understood the Perth Bears are plotting a $5 million bid to sign him for a minimum of four years, with a fifth year in place should he secure an early release, per CODE Sports.

Team: Canterbury Bulldogs
Teams linked with: Parramatta Eels, Perth Bears, Penrith Panthers
Verdict: Leaving

NRL 2026 RD04 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights – Matt Burton NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph

TE MAIRE MARTIN

Injuries to Luke Metcalf and Tanah Boyd this year gave Te Maire Martin regular game time in the halves, and he took the opportunity with both hands, forcing the former out of the line-up during the finals series.

Recently extended on a one-year deal for 2027, Martin is likely to start next season as a back-up to Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita, but he has proven he has the talent and skill to be a regular starter.

While the Warriors will be keen to retain him, it will be interesting to see whether a rival club decides to make a play for him.

If so, the former Panthers, Cowboys and Broncos playmaker may opt to leave New Zealand for a new opportunity.

Team: New Zealand Warriors
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Staying

TRENT TOELAU

Toelau may not be the flashiest playmaker, but the 26-year-old provided great depth to the Storm this season, whether it was in the halves, at hooker, or off the six-man interchange bench.

Featuring in 11 matches during this year’s campaign, expect the Storm to keep him on their books going forward, but if he is looking to secure a regular spot in an NRL line-up, he may decide to test the waters and look elsewhere.

Team: Melbourne Storm
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Staying

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