South Sydney have reportedly put all contract talks bar one on hold despite facing a potential November 1 feeding frenzy from rival clubs.

No team in the NRL has more players coming off contract at the end of next season.

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A total of 18 players will be free to negotiate with rivals from November 1 as South Sydney faces a huge retention task.

Among those on the list include Latrell Mitchell, David Fifita, Tallis Duncan and Campbell Graham.

But despite a potential exodus, Code Sports reports the club are only in active talks with one player with $6m worth of deals on hold.

The club is understood to be putting their focus on getting their season back on track after a devastating week which saw Duncan and Cameron struck down with injury and David Fifita supsended for two matches.

“They have put off all contract talks until after their season is over. Brent Read said on Wednesday night’s episode of NRL360.

“The only bloke they are talking to at the moment is Tallis Duncan.

Duncan has been in sensational form this season but will have to sit on the sideline at a crucial juncture of the year after suffering a hamstring injury.

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Tallis Duncan is set for a major contract upgrade.Source: News Corp Australia

The Bunnies are keen to lock the future representative star down long term.

“For me, I think you’re looking at $600,000 minimum with a ratchet (clause) in,” Read said.

“That’s a reasonable amount for Tallis … I said $600,000 with a ratchet, so that gets him to $800,000.”

NRL360 host Braith Anasta says Duncan is worth even more.

“I think he is worth that every day of the week, I think clubs will pay $700,000 or $800,000,” Anasta said.

“He is a million-dollar forward in the next three years.”

Mitchell’s future is another big watch with South Sydney in no rush to jump into fresh contract negotiations.

Mitchell has been sidelined with back and calf injuries since Round 11 and could miss the rest of the season according to reports this week.

“I can understand why, everyone else, talks are on hold until the end of the season … even Latrell,” Read said on NRL 360.

“ I suppose they want to see how he goes when he gets back from injury,” he said.

“If he gets back and they want to reconsider things based on how their season pays out.”

As much as $1.4 million a season has been floated as the figure that may be needed to get a deal done, with Read believing Mitchell deserves top dollar despite the recent injury history.

“I’d still pay him a motza because as I have said … without Latrell, they can’t win a comp,” Read said.

“I think he is that important to them and I would still give him big dollars. As I keep saying to you guys, this is on the 2028 cap which could be $16 million, which is less than 10 per cent of the cap.

“His injuries are a concern, and it’s a concern for Latrell. Forget about everything else, it’s a concern for Latrell because we all know how good he is.

“I just don’t know where you are going to get a guy like him without paying similar money … on his day, when he is fit, he is top three in the game.”

With so many looming free agents, South Sydney’s roster could look dramatically different in 2028.

Halves are a position of need for Souths. Ashton Ward is an emerging talent while Jonah Glover is well-regarded but unproven.

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Meanwhile, Cody Walker is likely to retire next season.

“Halfback has been an issue for a while now, so I imagine if there is someone they are going to chase it’s going to be a halfback,” Read said.

”I think with a high quality half, they definitely can. They go from being a chance to a definite top four chance or powerhouse.

“With due respect to Ashton Ward, I think a half is a logical place for them to spend money.”

Rugby League great Gorden Tallis then suggested Wayne Bennett could launch a blockbuster raid on their fiercest rival.

“Wayne would have a relationship with Sam Walker. He coached Sam’s two uncles (Shane and Chris) and his father (Ben),” Tallis said.

Walker is one of several big names expected to hit the open market in a few months’ time, although he’s being tipped to remain with the Chooks on a deal that will almost certainly exceed seven figures.

OFF CONTRACT IN 2028

Euan Aitken

Salesi Ataata

Tallis Duncan

David Fifita

Thomas Fletcher

Bronson Garlick

Jonah Glover

Campbell Graham

Matthew Humphries

Elijah Keung

Edward Kosi

Peter Mamouzelos

Latrell Mitchell

Tyrone Munro

Talanoa Penitani

Latrell Siegwalt

Brandon Smith

Jayden Sullivan

Isaiah Tass

Jack Wighton