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<\/p>\n\u201cThere\u2019s no downplaying this, it\u2019s going to be huge\u201d.<\/p>\n
That is Braith Anasta\u2019s assessment of the NRL\u2019s looming November 1 free agency frenzy, with a mountain of talent set to hit the open market.<\/p>\n
The Perth Bears are armed with a war chest, having struggled to sign a marquee star, while the PNG Chiefs have tax-free dollars to throw at big-name players.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n And one name sits atop of every club\u2019s dream signings wishlist \u2014 Nathan Cleary.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it will be the biggest (free agency) we have seen in terms of dollars,\u201d The Australian\u2019s Brent Read said on NRL360.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen what Hudson Young has been offered, there\u2019s guys who are going to head to market that are going to be offered a lot more money than that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could know by then what the salary cap is going to be in 2028… there could be some astronomical figures on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Cleary will undoubtedly be the subject of those \u201castronomical\u201d contract offers, with the superstar halfback set to hit the open market after making a shock call on his looming negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he wants to sit down and start talks yet,\u201d Read explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he now wants to get the season out of the way, but then he is going to be in the World Cup so that is going to make things problematic.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Luai ‘WILL be there five-eighth’ | 01:34<\/p>\n Cleary also told the SMH<\/a> that his contract decision was \u201cnot something I want to rush\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a big decision, and I feel like one thing has rolled into another. The Origin period was so hectic, and when we came out of it, we weren\u2019t playing our best footy. My mind has just been elsewhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI have another whole year of Penrith anyway, and it\u2019s always felt like it\u2019s so far away, but I guess it is creeping up a bit now. I\u2019m pretty patient with it.\u201d<\/p>\n While the superstar\u2019s future hasn\u2019t been a focus for him, it has been well and truly under the magnifying glass across the rugby league world.<\/p>\n And a monumental valuation was even floated that would see the 28-year-old blow salary records out of the water.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he will stay. Penrith are very confident he will stay,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard Phil Gould say the other night that he will get $2.5 million on the open market, which I found insane and he\u2019s the Bulldogs head of footy.<\/p>\n Ciraldo ‘proud’ despite missing finals | 06:12<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n SOUTHS LOCKED IN: Rabbitohs\u2019 finals berth after touching Arrow tribute<\/a><\/p>\n BENNETT DELIVERS: Wayne\u2019s touching moment in \u2018emotional\u2019 Arrow scenes<\/a><\/p>\n