The November 1 feeding frenzy is just around the corner and while a stack of players are set to test their value on the open market there’s some in particularly that could benefit the most from a club switch.
Three-time premiership-winner Jarome Luai headlines a list of players that have a big decision ahead of them. He can stay put in Penrith and chase his fourth straight premiership, or chase a big payday and sign elsewhere.
Then there’s players like Connor Tracey and Isaiah Tass, who have proven they deserve to be playing first grade every week but are expected to be squeezed out of their respective club’s top 17 next season.
Foxsports.com.au has compiled a list of players that have the most to gain from signing with a new club come November 1 and our verdict on whether they stay or leave.
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JAROME LUAI
This will come down to what he values more — money or premierships — but Jarome Luai has an opportunity to cash in on his hugely successful time at the Panthers.The 26-year-old is one of the biggest names set to hit the open market on November 1 and there will be no shortage of clubs lining up for a chance to lure him away from Penrith. The Panthers’ football boss Matt Cameron recently said there’s “no problem” with Luai’s intention to test his value on the open market given the best the club can offer is $800,000 a season. The three-time premiership-winning five-eighth and New South Wales Origin representative could command offers beyond $1 million-a-season with the Wests Tigers said to be one of the clubs interested in him. Panthers legend Mark Geyer said if he were Luai, he’d stay put at Penrith because “sometimes money doesn’t buy happiness… and competitions do.” But it’s a big decision for Luai — and one he’ll likely take his time with. This next window could be his chance to ink the biggest deal of his career. The fact he’s signed a deal with a new management company seems to indicate he’s keen to hear out offers from rival clubs which may be too hard to refuse, however to leave a team like Penrith would be a difficult decision for anyone to make. Genuinely unsure what will happen here.
Verdict: 50/50
COREY OATES
It’s been a bumpy year for Corey Oates, who not only battled injuries but also lost his spot in the 17 and had to watch the grand final from the bench as 18th man. Despite falling down the pecking order of wingers, the veteran took up his option with the Broncos for 2024 and has every intention to stay at the club for the rest of his career. But that will come at a cost with the 29-year-old conceding in an interview with News Corp that he will likely have to cop a pay cut. “Those are the things you have to do when you are an older player and you have been here for long enough. I’ve always known that, but that’s the way it happens when you want to keep a great team together,” he said. While Oates’ loyalty to the Broncos is admirable, he could be missing out on big opportunities elsewhere. With 201 NRL games to his name and nine State of Origin appearances for Queensland, Oates has important experience that could be very valuable for other clubs. In Brisbane, he’s stuck behind the likes of Jesse Arthars and Selwyn Cobbo, while 20-year-old Deine Mariner is on the rise. A clearer path back into the NRL — and a bigger pay cheque — are likely at another club.
Verdict: Leaves
CONNOR TRACEY
He was the breakout star of the Sharks’ second half of the season, but Connor Tracey will miss out on a spot in the 17 when the team is full strength next year. Tracey has been Cronulla’s Mr. Fix It for the last four years and slotted in at fullback seamlessly for the final six games. But with Will Kennedy recovered from injury and the up-and-coming Kade Dykes due back from an ACL rupture before Round 1, Tracey could start the season as the club’s third-string fullback. His ability to cover every position in the backline makes him the perfect bench utility but Cameron McInnes usually assumes that role. The 27-year-old has reportedly asked for a release from the final year of his contract, which the club has rejected, but come November 1 he will be able to negotiate with rival clubs for 2025 and beyond. For Tracey, a clearer path to a regular starting spot will be the priority when he making the call on his next contract and for that reason, it’s likely he’ll end up in another team’s jersey by the start of the 2025 season.
Verdict: Leaves
NICK MEANEY
The 26-year-old has been terrific in his two seasons at the Storm, seemingly going from strength to strength with each game. After Ryan Papenhuyzen’s shocking knee injury against Canberra in 2022, Meaney stepped into the fullback role and shined. He held his spot at the back even when Papenhuyzen returned this year. It’s unclear what role the Storm have in mind for Meaney next season with Papenhuyzen set to return from injury (it has been reported he is being shopped around) and emerging youngster Sua Fa’alago impressing in his Storm debut in Round 27 and two appearances for Samoa in the Pacific Championships. Rival clubs will be well aware of Melbourne’s riches at fullback, and could lure Meaney away with a contract offer too good to refuse, especially if he senses he’ll be assured of a starting position elsewhere. Or, Meaney may feel like he owes something to the Storm, the team which gave him a chance and where he’s played the best footy of his career. With Fa’alago still raw and Papenhuyzen under an injury cloud, Meaney likely starts 2024 at fullback and if he continues to thrive, Melbourne will be keen to lock him down.
Verdict: Stays
ANGUS CRICHTON
For a moment there, it appeared that rugby union was in the Roosters’ forward’s future, however three weeks ago, Rugby Australia sensationally withdrew their offer to Crichton worth $800,000 a year. Crichton’s manager confirmed his client was “keen to go” to rugby union, so perhaps it may still be an option for the 27-year-old when his current contract with the Roosters ends after the 2024 season. The union interest aside, there should be several NRL clubs who would be keen to sign Crichton and the Roosters appear content to let him head elsewhere as they have no shortage of back rowers. The emergence of Terrell May and Suia Wong coupled with the recent re-signings of Nat Butcher and Naufau Whyte only affirms that. A forward-needy club like the Storm would be a good fit while the Dolphins could use a player of Crichton’s ilk considering they have a number of guys in their pack over 30 years old and off contract at the end of next year. It would be somewhat of a shock if Crichton is a Rooster beyond 2024.
Verdict: Leaves
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NICK COTRIC
It wasn’t the brightest of seasons for Raiders winger Nick Cotric. He scored a career-low three tries, with his 13 appearances the least he’s had in a season since debuting in 2017. He was good in patches in those games he did play, but struggled with consistency as the club’s other wingers Jordan Rapana and Albert Hopoate enjoyed better seasons. It’s fair to say that if Hopoate stayed healthy and Rapana didn’t have to move to fullback, Cotric probably doesn’t feature as much. At 24, Cotric may still have a lot to offer, but he’s at an age he should be peaking, not going backwards like he did last season. 2024 will be key to what Cotric’s NRL future will look like but perhaps a move to another club can help him recapture the blistering form he showed early in his career. Teams aren’t lining up to sign him so soon after the deadline, so how much interest he fetches from rival teams will be dependant on how he starts next season.
Verdict: Jury’s out
ISAIAH TASS
Jack Wighton’s arrival to the Rabbitohs next season puts Isaiah Tass’ future at the club in doubt. Tass nailed down the left centre role this season but will have to make way for Wighton. He could switch over to the right wing — a position the Bunnies have struggled to fill — but 18-year-old Tyrone Munro is the long-term option for that spot. Tass said in June that he’s “happy to fill in wherever” and that’d he’d like to stay at the club “for a long time.” But the reality is Tass’ best option for the longevity of his career is to explore his options for 2025 and beyond come November 1. The 24-year-old has shown he belongs in first grade, finishing the year third for Souths in total tries scored, fourth in try assists, third in linebreak assists and first in one-on-one tackles. The Rabbitohs would like to keep Taas if they can but it’s likely there will be other clubs who will offer more money and opportunity.
Verdict: Leaves
