A host of high-profile NRL players are still without deals locked in for the 2023 season as clubs finalise their top 30 rosters.
Several players have contracts on the table but are yet to sign them for various reasons, while others look set to be forced into retirement.
There are two common themes in the list below – ageing players on massive money in 2022, and young gun utilities who have struggled to nail down one position.
Here foxsports.com.au looks at the best players on the open market right now and where they could be playing in 2023.
WADE GRAHAM
The Cronulla captain is determined to play on in 2023 but remains locked in a stalemate with the club.
Graham, who turns 32 next week, has been integral for the Sharks over the past decade and played a crucial role in their 2016 premiership run.
But he’s struggled with injuries and concussions in recent years which has seen the backrower average just 14.5 games per season since 2019.
Graham made his NRL debut as a 17-year-old in 2008 and has played 270 first-grade games, while also making six appearances for NSW and eight for Australia.
“I definitely want to play on,” Graham said before Round 22.
“I’ve had some discussions with the club and I’m comfortable with where we’re sitting at the moment.
“I’m comfortable with one year. You never know – if i get to this stage next year and am feeling good we’ll see how we go but I’m definitely just looking at one year at the moment”
If the Sharks don’t re-sign Graham he’ll almost certainly be offered an off-field role at the club.
Age: 32 next week
2022 salary: $750,000
Verdict: Will sign a one-year deal at the Sharks.
ANGUS CRICHTON
Word is Crichton has a handshake deal with the Roosters and the club are just freeing up the cap space to officially register his two-year extension with the NRL.
The former Australian Schoolboys rugby star has previously admitted his desire to play for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup. But that dream looks dead and buried with Crichton currently on his first Kangaroos tour at the Rugby League World Cup in England.
The 26-year-old told foxsports.com.au in March that he was “really close to signing” but no announcement came, which saw the Wests Tigers show interest.
However, Crichton declared late in the season that he’ll be staying put in Bondi, emphasising he was “not at all” tempted to leave the Roosters.
The bustling backrower has played 142 NRL games after debuting at Souths in 2016 and joining the Roosters, while also representing NSW 11 times.
Age: 26
2022 salary: $700,000
Verdict: Will sign a two-year deal at the Roosters.
Tonga v Kumuls: Full Match Highlights | 02:59
MARTIN TAUPAU
The Sea Eagles told Taupau before a ball was kicked in 2022 that his $800,000 per year contract wouldn’t be renewed into 2023.
The veteran prop then told foxsports.com.au in February “it would be great if there was any interest” about the prospect of joining a rival club.
Taupau asked Manly for an immediate release to join the Eels before the August 1 deadline, but the request was denied.
The 32-year-old is determined to add to his 222 NRL games and is currently playing for Samoa at the World Cup.
Parramatta lost a host of stars to rival clubs following the grand final and they could have another crack at signing Taupau.
The Rabbitohs are also looking at Taupau after they lost Mark Nicholls to the Dolphins, while the Sharks are another possible landing spot following the departure of Andrew Fifita.
Age: 32
2022 salary: $800,000
Verdict: Will sign a one-year deal at the Eels.
MATT LODGE
The star prop has walked out on two clubs in the past two years, but his end-of-season form at the Roosters almost earned him a shock Kangaroos call up.
Lodge left the Broncos halfway through last year two join the Warriors, only to do the same thing to the Kiwi club this season.
The 27-year-old received a full $700,000 payout after a disagreement with the Warriors owner back in May.
The Roosters signed Lodge in July and he made his debut in Round 18, starring as the club went on an eight-game winning run.
It prompted some pundits to call for his selection in Australia’s World Cup squad, but coach Mal Meninga went in another direction.
Lodge has played exactly 100 NRL games after making his debut at the Wests Tigers in 2014.
He spent 2016 and 2017 out of the NRL due to his off-field behaviour but was handed a career lifeline at the Broncos in 2018.
Age: 27
2022 salary: $700,000
Verdict: Will sign a two-year deal at the Roosters.
ANDREW FIFITA
The 2016 grand final hero was the highest-paid reserve grade player in the country last year, before turning things around in 2022.
Fifita’s return to form helped the Sharks finish second on the ladder, but the club opted against handing him a new deal.
Cronulla were willing to offer Fifita an off-field role next season but the 33-year-old isn’t ready to hang up the boots.
Super League is an option but Fifita is keener on joining a rival NRL club for the 2023 season.
“I reckon I’ve still got another year in me somewhere else,” he told foxsports.com.au last month.
Fifita has been linked with a move back to the Wests Tigers where his NRL career began in 2010, while Mick Ennis believes he’d be a great fit at Storm or Dragons.
“I think he has plenty to give, for 12 months at a place that is lacking experience,” Ennis said.
“I actually think Craig Bellamy might have a look at him down in Melbourne with a number of their big guys moving on.
“The other area is the Dragons because they have signed a number of forwards who just haven’t been able to deliver.
“Only 45 minutes down the road from Cronulla and he could certainly add some starch to their pack.”
Age: 33
2022 salary: $800,000
Verdict: Will sign a one-year deal at the Tigers.
Cleary set to make his Kangaroos debut | 03:00
GEORGE BURGESS
The Dragons released the veteran prop from the final year of his contract before Burgess revealed his rift with coach Anthony Griffin.
The 30-year-old made just four appearances in 2022 after returning to the NRL this year following a serious hip injury that cut short stint in the English Super League.
Burgess told The Daily Telegraph he was unsure what the future held but the Englishman said he’d be staying in Australia.
“I don’t know, I am just going to take a bit of time off and see what happens,” he said.
“Obviously I still have plenty in me but it is just the whole mental side and the games that coaches play and the media. That is the stuff that is wearing a bit thin on me.
“It has been a hard year but I am ready to just take a break to be honest. I will be staying in Australia. I have three young kids to think about so I will be just looking for work and go from there.
“It is disappointing if it is the end of my (NRL) career.”
Burgess will face a hearing next February after he was charged with sexually touching a woman earlier this year. He has indicated he will fight the charge.
The Dragons also confirmed in July that Burgess had spent time in a rehabilitation facility to deal with personal issues.
Age: 30
2022 salary: $350,000
Verdict: Will retire.
JOSH MANSOUR
The former Kangaroos winger played just five games for the Rabbitohs this year and none after Round 8 after falling down the pecking order.
But Mansour is adamant he still has something to offer in the NRL and hasn’t given up hopes of playing in 2023.
The 32-year-old was is at the World Cup playing for Lebanon and admitted in August it was tough to accept his decorated career slowly coming to an end.
“It’s definitely hit the ego a bit hard, I’m not going to lie,” Mansour said.
“But now I’ve just got to focus on the present, there’s no point worrying about what’s happened in the past.”
“A couple of months ago I went through a pretty rough patch mentally, questioning if I still have it, if I still have a love for the game.
“I’m glad I got out of that funk and realigned myself. I want to keep playing, that’s what I keep coming back to.”
Mansour made his NRL debut at the Panthers in 2012 before joining Souths last year and has scored 86 tries in 174 appearances.
Age: 32
2022 salary: $400,000
Verdict: Will retire.
Absolute CHAOS as Tonga score absurd try | 01:07
KEVIN PROCTOR
The former Titans captain endured an embarrassing end to his NRL career when he was sacked by the club in August.
Proctor was dismissed after posting on Instagram a video of himself vaping in a toilet cubicle inside the Gold Coast sheds at halftime in their match against the Bulldogs.
The video lasted seven seconds and Proctor, who was not playing, was wearing a Titans polo as he shook his head and blew smoke into the camera.
“Not the halftime vape,” the post was captioned.
The 33-year-old was linked with a move to the Super League but is unlikely to move to England unless it’s on a multi-year deal.
Age: 33
2022 salary: $500,000
Verdict: Will retire.
THE YOUNGSTERS
Jaeman Salmon
The Panthers utility told foxsports.com.au after the grand final that Penrith have put a deal on the table for the 23-year-old. But Salmon is yet to put pen to paper.
Jake Turpin
This handy hooker captained Brisbane last year before being released just 12 months later. Turpin is still just 25 and has been linked with a move to the Roosters.
Adam Keighran
The 25-year-old utility won’t be re-signed at the Roosters but Keighran still has plenty of NRL left in him and has been linked to the Panthers and Knights.
Phoenix Crossland
Knights coach Adam O’Brien said after Round 25 the club were in talks to re-sign the 22-year-old playmaker.
Brandon Wakeham
Struggled to stamp his mark at the Bulldogs and has confirmed while in England playing for Fiji at the World Cup he will explore his Super League options.
Hayze Perham
The Eels winger ruptured his ACL in Round 11 this year and was not offered a new deal when his contract expired at the end of the season.
