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\u2019s biggest stars heats up.<\/p>\n
Several high-profile five-eighth\u2019s are facing uncertain futures with Blaize Talagi, Cameron Munster and Matt Burton at the top of the list and attracting interest from rival teams.<\/p>\n
Watch Australia\u2019s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, others are hoping to secure their futures with their current club.<\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Foxsports.com.au examines where every off-contract NRL five-eighth stands ahead of November 1 and our verdict on where they\u2019ll land.<\/p>\n FULLBACKS: The November 1 verdict on all 12 off-contract fullbacks<\/a> BLAIZE TALAGI<\/p>\n After two seasons with the Panthers, Talagi \u201cmay not play again\u201d for the club, with his future under speculation for several months.<\/p>\n Brought in to replace Jarome Luai as Nathan Cleary\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The club\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe may not play again for them potentially,\u201d reporter Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s off-contract at the end of next year so clubs will be circling and if rival clubs comes knocking next year I don\u2019t think Penrith stand in his way.\u201d<\/p>\n Team: Penrith Panthers NRL 2026 RD18 Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs – Blaize Talagi NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph<\/p>\n CAMERON MUNSTER<\/p>\n 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\u2019s future is one to watch in the coming months.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bright lights would have chewed me up there. I\u2019m older now, so I\u2019d 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,\u201d Munster said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve 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. <\/p>\n \u201cI want to challenge myself, so I\u2019m not too sure what\u2019s going to happen, but I\u2019m not ruling out leaving. <\/p>\n \u201cI definitely love the club and everything it\u2019s about. Just got to make sure I know what\u2019s out there. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to make sure I tick all my boxes before I pigeon myself to one spot. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll just find out November 1 and see who comes knocking. If there\u2019s none, then Melbourne might get rid of me as well. I might have to play reserve grade.\u201d<\/p>\n Team: Melbourne Storm INT 2025 RD03INT 2025 RD03 England v Australia – Cameron Munster. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied<\/p>\n JAYDEN SULLIVAN<\/p>\n The Rabbitohs are set to be forced into an interesting dilemma regarding playmaker Jayden Sullivan.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Team: South Sydney Rabbitohs LATU FAINU<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n While nothing has been sorted between the two parties, it\u2019s 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\u2019s successor in the halves.<\/p>\n The only thing against the talented youngster is his injury history, which could mean he earns less than he may have originally wanted.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be surprised if his future is sorted soon after the conclusion of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup where he is currently representing Tonga.<\/p>\n Team: Wests Tigers LUKE BROOKS<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Team: Manly Sea Eagles 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<\/p>\n LYHKAN KING-TOGIA<\/p>\n The rise of Kade Reed and the club\u2019s recruitment of Kodi Nikorima and Luke Metcalf has put Lyhkan King Togia\u2019s career at the Dragons into further doubt.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In ten matches during 2026, he forced four drop-outs, provided five try assists and six line-break assists and scored a try.<\/p>\n Team: St George Illawarra Dragons MATT BURTON<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cMatt\u2019s manager has requested permission to test the market,\u201d the club\u2019s GM of Football, Phil Gould, tweeted. <\/p>\n \u201cBulldogs at all times retain last rights. It\u2019s a good way for both Matt and the Bulldogs to gauge his true value. It will give both parties more information.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019t return to the halves with Stephen Crichton taking his place.<\/p>\n The emergence of rookies Alex Conti and Mitchell Woods has further complicated his time at the club beyond 2027.<\/p>\n
HALFBACKS: The November 1 verdict on all nine off-contract halfbacks<\/a><\/p>\n
Teams linked with: Parramatta Eels
Verdict: Leaving<\/p>\n
Teams linked with: Perth Bears, PNG Chiefs, Sydney-based NRL teams
Verdict: Leaving<\/p>\n
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving<\/p>\n
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Staying<\/p>\n
Teams linked with: Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters
Verdict: Leaving<\/p>\n
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving<\/p>\n