The November 1 deadline has passed with over 160 players coming off-contract free to negotiate with rival NRL clubs, including the Perth Bears, for 2027 and beyond.
The new franchise are on the lookout to fill their top 30, while other clubs are on notice as they scramble to lock up their off-contract stars and replace those that opt to switch clubs.
Read on for the all the latest player movement and signings.
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DCE ARRIVAL TO SPARK BIDDING WAR FOR YOUNG GUN
A potential feeding frenzy for the signature of the promising Hugo Savala could be sparked with the Roosters’ signing of Daly Cherry-Evans now confirmed.
On Friday, the Roosters announced that they’ve signed the veteran halfback for 2026.
It has also been reported that Cherry-Evans has an option for the 2027 season.
So what does that mean for Savala? The 23-year-old burst onto the scene this past season in the halves for the Roosters.
With DCE on the scene, the former Manly star will partner Sam Walker in the halves, leaving Savala as the odd man out for potentially the next two seasons.
If Cherry-Evans performs well in 2026, there’s every chance he kicks on the following year.
The club will be obviously keen to keep the local junior and you’d have to think that Savala’s preference will be to stay as well.
Roosters brass will put to Savala that he is considered the club’s future playmaker alongside Walker when Cherry-Evans leaves. In addition, Savala will have the priceless chance to learn under the champion halfback.
However, money talks, as does the guarantee of opportunity and with Savala becoming a free agent on November 1, he’s able to negotiate with rival clubs. Clubs who can offer him a starting role.
There should be at least a handful interested in Savala’s services and there are several clubs who would be upgrading at halfback or five-eighth if they land the 23-year-old.
Clubs like the Cowboys, Raiders, Bears and Dragons are teams who could show interest.
The Cowboys were in the running for Jonah Pezet so it’s evident they’re in the market for a young half to partner Tom Dearden.
Canberra are set to usher in the Ethan Sanders era next season with Jamal Fogarty at Manly.
Sanders has flashed ability in limited NRL appearances but the Raiders have been actively looking to improve their halfback depth so it’s not out of the realm of possibility they could at least enquire about Savala.
The Bears have reportedly closed in on Toby Sexton but Savala could appeal as a cut-price playmaker option to partner Sexton in 2027.
St. George-Illawarra is seemingly always in the running to add free agent talent.
While Daniel Atkinson arrives at the club this pre-season, the Dragons’ halves situation is still quite murky.
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Hugo Savala of the Roosters.Source: Getty Images
UPDATE ON FUTURE OF TIGERS STAR
Tigers star Jahream Bula is technically a free agent given an option for 2027 hasn’t yet been triggered, but there has been a positive update for fans of the joint venture club.
Journalist Brent Read has reported that Bula has indicated he wants to stay put with the Tigers set to meet with his management in the coming weeks.
“I believe there is another meeting planned in the next week or two with his management but I expect he’ll stay at the club as he has indicated he wants to stay,” Read said on Triple M.
“I think it’s heading down that path but we’ll find out a little bit more in a week or two.
“What’s interesting is that this week they’ve signed an insurance policy. A young kid out of Penrith named Jack Attard who is only young and is going to be a gun so they’ve got insurance in case Jahream leaves.
“They will have those talks next week with Jahream’s management but I expect that option (for 2027) will be taken up but I expect Jahream Bula to stay at the Tigers.”
Bula is represented by controversial agent Isaac Moses, who has a rocky relationship at best with the Tigers.
In recent years, he’s helped agitate a release from the Tigers for several clients, including John Bateman and Lachlan Galvin.
Former NRL star Beau Ryan wanted to clear up any speculation that Bula wants to leave the Tigers because of Moses’ influence.
“There’s this mindset out there that Jahream Bula isn’t taking up the option because his manager Isaac Moses is telling him not to because he (Moses) doesn’t get paid. That’s got nothing to do with this,” Ryan said.
“It’s all good for his agent to advise him but at ultimately Jahream Bula decides his future,” Read replied.
“If Jahream stays or not, it’s his decision.
“They can cancel the current deal and do a new deal as well. They can say I’m not taking up the option and then they negotiate the new deal and then the new manager gets paid.
“I’m not sure that’s necessarily as big a issue as some people think it might be.”
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MADGE CLEANS HALFBACK SLATE
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has declared young gun Coby Black still have a future in Red Hill, despite the arrival of rising star Jonah Pezet.
The battle for playmaking positions is set to intensify in 2026, with Pezet then arriving in 2027 with the future of Adam Reynolds up in the air.
It was previously understood the 2026 season would be his last, but the veteran declared his NRL career could continue on beyond his current contract.
The Broncos have also signed Cowboys No.7 Tom Duffy on a one-year deal, meaning his next pre-season shapes as potentially one of the most important in Black’s short career.
The teenage prospect has long been touted at Reynolds successor in the No.7 jersey, but with the arrival of Pezet, competition is well and truly heating up.
“I haven’t given up on Coby at all,” Maguire said to Code Sports of a player who has been tagged as the Broncos’ future.
“We have signed Johan Pezet but that’s in 12 months time when he comes into the equation.
“For Tom (Duffy) and Coby, they are on our books this season and Coby has had a good 12 months of development.
Coby Black is without a contract for the 2027 season.Source: Getty Images
“I have been really pleased with how Coby is developing and with Tom Duffy coming in, he will add to the strengths of our halves.
“I have two young halves who are hungry to come in and get better.
“I will be watching Coby and Tom closely. They are the future. As we showed this year, you need depth to be able to succeed and those two guys are definitely two live options on our roster.”
Black, who turns 20 in March, has been held back by Maguire who believes the Broncos still need depth within their squad.
The young gun is currently a free agent, meaning he has one year to impress Brisbane powerbrokers and sign a fresh deal, or make a move to a rival in 2027.
“I know we have got Jonah but at the end of the day, you need to have depth with your spine,” he said.
“Coby is a great young kid and he’s a few years younger than Jonah.
“He has been a big part of the Broncos over the last two years and he has a big pre-season ahead of him… young halves can get thrown in too early and I’m conscious of that.”
ROOSTERS LOCK DOWN EMERGING FORWARD
The Roosters have taken one of the game’s best young locks off the market.
Roosters academy product Blake Steep has inked a two-year extension with the club, which will keep him in the eastern suburbs at least until the end of 2028.
After debuting and playing just three NRL games in 2024, the 20-year-old was relied upon often this past season, playing 22 games for a Roosters team who lost several experienced players in the off-season.
Steep represented NSW under 19s last year and won selection in the Indigenous All Star squad earlier this year.
“I’m really proud to be part of the Roosters. The Club means a lot to me; it’s helped me grow as a player and as a person,” Steep said via a club-issued statement.
Blake Steep of the Roosters.Source: Getty Images
TEDDY EARMARKS FUTURE NO.1
Dally M Winner James Tedesco is technically a free agent with his current Roosters’ deal set to run out at the end of this year.
Although Tedesco didn’t ink an extension with the club before the November 1 transfer deadline, it’s expected the veteran fullback will sign a new deal at some stage.
While it isn’t known how many more seasons the 32-year-old will lace the boots up for, the fullback is looking ahead, endorsing a Roosters young gun as his potential replacement.
Teen talent Rex Bassingthwaighte is a dual sport star who is set to join the Roosters’ top 30 squad in 2027.
Impressively, Bassingthwaighte has represented the Wallabies’ under 18s and has a Roosters’ Harold Matthews Cup (u17s) Player of the Year on his CV.
Tedesco sung the praises of the 17-year-old Bassingthwaighte, who is set to train with the Roosters this pre-season.
“He trained with us in the pre-season last year. We got along really well. He’s an exciting young talent,” Tedesco told Zero Tackle.
“He’s fast, agile, got good hands, and I think he’s going to be a real talent.
“He can fit in anywhere in the backs to sort of start off his career, but fullback definitely for the future.”
Rex Bassingthwaighte is the man James Tedesco believes could take over his No.1 jersey.Source: Getty Images
BULLDOGS’ MOVE FOR TIGERS ENFORCER
The Bulldogs are reportedly set to hand Tigers gun Justin Matamua an NRL lifeline, giving him the opportunity to trial for a contract during pre-season.
According to WWOS, the 22-year-old will be given a chance to train with Cameron Ciraldo’s squad over summer and take part in club trials.
The Bulldogs will reportedly then make a decision on whether they will sign the talented forward, who has played 14 NRL games to date.
Matamua was released by the Tigers at the conclusion of the 2025 season, but Bulldogs officials believe he may need a change of scenery to unlock his ability.
He made his NRL debut in 2022 and has also played a single Test for Samoa, being a player touted for big things when he burst onto the scene.
Ultimately, he was deemed surplus to requirements under Benji Marshall, and will now earn $1200 a week on his train-and-trail contract.
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DRAGONS RECRUIT GUN WARRIORS FLYER
The Dragons are reportedly set to land Warriors flyer Setu Tu, once again adding to their outside backs depth.
According to Zero Tackle, the 26-year-old is closing in on signing a two-year deal to join Shane Flanagan’s squad.
Tu played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ NSW Cup premiership in 2025 and he has the ability to play on the wing, in the centres and at fullback.
He reportedly had several clubs chasing his services, but will now compete for a spot on the wing, with the likes of Christian Tuipulotu and Tyrell Sloan the Red V’s current leading options.
The gun flyer joins David Fale and Nicholas Quinn in making the shift to the Dragons, with competition in their outside backs now heating up.
Setu Tu is set to join the Dragons.Source: Supplied
COWBOYS RECRUIT FIJIAN FLYER
The Cowboys have reportedly handed Fijian Test flyer Ronald Philitoga a development contract for the 2025 season.
According to WWOS, the 24-year-old has done enough to join Todd Payten’s squad, scoring 11 tries in 14 games for Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup this year.
Philatoga also started on the wing in Fiji’s loss to the Kumuls in the third week of the Pacific Championships.
