The November 1 feeding frenzy officially begins today and there’s a stack of players that will hit the open market.
Some are high-paid stars that have already garnered interest and then there’s players who will begin their desperate search for a new deal.
But no matter the pay packet, every player that plans on negotiating with rivals form today is searching for something.
Whether it’s more money, regular time in first grade or an opportunity to play a different position, these are the players that have the most to gain from a club switch in 2024.
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LUKE BROOKS
There’s been speculation surrounding his future for the better part of a year but finally, Luke Brooks is a free agent and has the opportunity to make a decision on his long-term future without a contract with the Tigers holding him back. The Knights have made no secret of their desire to sign Brooks as a replacement for Mitchell Pearce, beginning a chase — that’s still going — way back in November 2021. But the Tigers have remained rock solid on ensuring Brooks sees out the final year of his contract. The power is in Brooks’ hands though when it comes to 2024 and beyond. It’s understood that he’s keen to stay at the Tigers under the new coaching duo of Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall but many would argue the 27-year-old’s tenure at the club has gone a little stale. Despite claiming the the Dally M Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and Halfback of the Year honour four years later, Brooks holds the unfortunate record of most games played without a finals appearance. That’s nine full seasons in first grade with very little to show for it. He’s not going to win a premiership with the Knights next season, but it’s clear the Tigers are just not working for him. A change of scenery could be the best thing to happen to Brooks.
JACKSON HASTINGS
Well, a move for Jackson Hastings would only make sense if Brooks re-signs with the Tigers. Hastings is an out-and-out halfback but finished the 2022 season playing lock due to the Tigers’ logjam of halves options. The 26-year-old captured the Tigers’ attention while starring at halfback in the Super League and claiming the Man of Steel award in 2018. He started 2022 at five-eighth for the Tigers but by Round 6 coach-at-the-time Michael Maguire shifted him to halfback. It was a symbol of handing the keys to the car over to Hastings and it worked wonders with the Tigers securing their only back-to-back wins all season following the switch. But Hastings ended up being moved to lock at the back-end of the season to allow Adam Doueihi, who returned from an ACL injury, to play his preferred position of five-eighth. To put it simply, between Brooks and Hastings the Tigers have one too many first grade worthy halfbacks — especially when there’s a few clubs in need of just one — and if Hastings wants to nail down the No.7 jersey he may have to go elsewhere.
NATHAN BROWN
There’s no player more in need of a club switch than Nathan Brown. The 138-game veteran was relegated to NSW Cup after 14 rounds and despite being recalled for the grand final, the Eels have made it clear Brown won’t be receiving a new deal. It was revealed in July that Brown had not only been informed he wasn’t a part of the Eels’ future plans, but was also granted permission for an immediate release if he were to find a deal elsewhere. There was even talk in the lead-up to the grand final that the 29-year-old was on sour terms with coach Brad Arthur — however he did shut that down, calling it “rubbish”. Brown has been linked to the Tigers, who are said to be “very keen” on even luring him over in time for next season.
DAVID FIFITA
Is it a case of David Fifita not living up to his salary or the Titans paying overs? Should Fifita go looking for the ball or is it up to his halves to drag him into the game? These questions have been asked over and over again since the barnstorming second-rower joined the Titans on a mega $1.2 million-a-year deal. That contract is due to expire at the end of next season, making Fifita the most expensive player on the open market. It was reported in August that the Titans are keen to hang onto Fifita — but it will be at a heavily reduced price of $750,000 a season. It’s hard to see how the 22-year-old can demand much more than that on the open market after a disappointing season, but it’s an avenue he should at least explore. Fifita has the size and power to make him the best forward in the game — that’s why the Titans paid big money for him. But for whatever reason it just hasn’t worked on the Gold Coast. A fresh start elsewhere with lower expectations and without that $1.2 million price tag could be the answer. The Dragons are rumoured to be interested in his services, but given the culture issues at the club at the moment Fifita — a player who will likely have the luxury of options — is best to steer clear of the Red V.
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LACHLAN MILLER
Craig Fitzgibbon was the only NRL coach willing to take a gamble on Locky Miller, but the Rugby Sevens convert can expect some interest from rivals. Miller was a revelation in his NRL debut with the Sharks, filling in for Will Kennedy at fullback. He only played six games — two of those on the wing — but in that short time Miller proved he is good enough to be a regular starter. The only issue is he’s stuck behind Kennedy and youngster Kade Dykes, whom the Sharks hold in high regard. At 28-years old, unfortunately time is not on Miller’s side and with Dykes overtaking him late in the season as back-up fullback his path to the No.1 jersey is blocked. Miller could challenge Jake Averillo and Xavier Savage for the respective Bulldogs and Raiders No.1 jerseys, while the Dragons seem to be still unsettled on their first choice fullback.
MORGAN HARPER AND/OR BRAD PARKER
The rise of Tolu Koula means either Morgan Harper or Brad Parker is going to lose their spot in the 17. Koula was a back-up centre until he got the nod over Harper and then ended up holding onto his spot for the remainder of the season. Both Harper and Parker spent time in reserve grade throughout the year with the latter eased back from a long-term injury via NSW Cup. It’s expected 20-year-old Koula will start in the centres next season, leaving Harper and Parker to battle it out over the summer for the other spot. There’s even talk that Reuben Garrick will shift from wing to centre next season which would leave both Harper and Parker languishing in reserve grade. Either way the writing seems to be on the wall and one of them — or maybe both — should explore their options for 2023 and beyond.
TYSON FRIZELL
Tyson Frizell was once regarded one of the best second-rowers in the competition. He used to be one of the first players picked for New South Wales and Australia, but ever since joining the Knights he’s been overlooked by both the Blues and Kangaroos. Frizell left the Dragons to sign a three-year deal with the Knights, starting in 2021. At the time he put the move down to wanting to win a premiership, saying: “People know that I’m looking to win a premiership hopefully and play finals footy. That’s what we do it for.” The Knights were knocked out in the first week of finals last year and finished 14th this year. If a premiership is what’s still driving Frizell, he should probably start gauging interest elsewhere because it doesn’t look like the Knights are going to be winning a premiership within the next couple of years.
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DAVID KLEMMER
The veteran prop turned back the clock this season to produce some vintage David Klemmer, but was let down by the disorganisation around him and the form of some of his teammates. The Knights are not a quick fix and could be in for another couple of seasons of pain before returning to finals footy. Just like Frizell, if a premiership is what ultimate competitor Klemmer is chasing, a move to a team that’s in a better position may be his best option. The 28-year-old joined the Knights on a five-year deal in 2019 said to be worth around $800,000-plus a season and there were rumours last season after he was stood down for spraying a trainer on the field that the club was looking at offloading him to free up money in the cap. If that is indeed the case, both parties could benefit from going their separate ways. One thing that will favour Klemmer is that he has a tonne of experience and is still playing good footy, making him an attractive signing for clubs in need of more forwards.
TESI NIU
Unless Herbie Farnworth signs elsewhere for 2024, it’s hard to see Tesi Niu squeezing into the Broncos’ backline. With Reece Walsh joining the club next season, the fullback position is all but locked up until at least the end of 2025, while Farnworth and Kotoni Staggs have the centres nailed down. Niu has shown he has the spark to play consistent first grade, it’s just not going to be at the Broncos while so many backline players are on the rise. At just 21-years old, Niu hasn’t even reached his peak yet and could end up being an astute signing for a club that needs more backline options.
BRYCE CARTWRIGHT
Bryce Cartwright moved to the Eels last year to reignite his career, however it hasn’t taken off like he’d hoped it would. The 27-year-old was once considered a genuine star of the future when he was at the Panthers in his early years but his switch to the Titans fell short of expectations. The Eels handed him a one-year lifeline for the 2021 season, which was then extended to 2023 but he has had limited opportunities this year — playing just 10 games. Despite Cartwright’s versatility, coach Brad Arthur opted to carry a specialist halfback on the bench in the back end of the season. If that’s the game plan Arthur will continue to follow, Cartwright looks set to get even more acquainted with NSW Cup — unless he finds a club that will offer him more opportunities.
