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State of Origin stars ready to flood NRL player market
NRL clubs are ready for a November 1 frenzy with 15 players in Origin II in the mix to hit the open market. See which rep stars are on the hit list.
Dean Ritchie
This will be the $10m State of Origin fire sale – and there are some megabucks to be made.
Unbelievably, 15 players from State of Origin II in Perth could flood the NRL open market in just four months, prompting a frenzied scramble by cashed-up clubs to secure the cream of rugby league.
And players know – as do their agents – that a big game in Origin II on Sunday night can increase an annual contract value by up to $50,000.
The market will be red hot with several clubs having already started scrutinising the available big-name talent expected onto the market; Canterbury and the Dolphins certain to be active.
Origin squad players;
Daniel Tupou
Victor Radley
Ben Hunt
Damien Cook
Stephen Crichton Liam Martin\
Brian To’o
Murray Taulagi
Cameron Munster
Selwyn Cobbo
Thomas Flegler
Siosifa Talakai
Jeremiah Nanai
come off contract after next season, meaning they are free agents from November 1 this year.
Canterbury’s Matt Burton is under contract until after 2024 but the final season is an option in his favour while Angus Crichton comes off after this year.
It adds up to around $10m worth of elite talent.
Latrell Mitchell, who should play Origin III provided he comes through his return club game for Souths against Parramatta next weekend, is also off contract after next season.
Crichton, the Roosters and Blues edge forward, has been linked to Parramatta, Wests Tigers and Melbourne. Speculation about a Crichton shift to Victoria continues to increase, although Storm management on Tuesday denied an interest.
“It’s unrivalled the amount of star players coming off contract at the one time,” said one leading player agent. “They are some of the biggest names in rugby league.
“Clubs have started talking about November 1 and who they may target.
“Some clubs won’t have the cash to chase but others are moving around their cap as we speak to ensure there is space to go after a big name once some of these players hit the open market in a few months.”
Most clubs will be anxious to lock down their star players to avoid any open market scramble.
Penrith will face the challenge of trying to retain three Origin players – Crichton, Martin and To’o. The Panthers salary cap will already be tight through Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo.
Munster looms as the big fish.
He has been linked to deals worth up to $1.2m but does harbour a quiet desire to remain in Melbourne under coach Craig Bellamy.
“Munster will be the biggest story,” said one Sydney-based coach. “Can you imagine the headlines if he ended up quitting Melbourne? It would be huge news.”
Mitchell wants to re-sign at Souths and the club is ready to kickstart contract discussions. Cook is another champion the Rabbitohs desperately want to keep.
Brisbane also face the difficult task of re-signing Cobbo and Flegler while Cronulla will be keen to retain Talakai.
NRL clubs are ready for a November 1 frenzy with 15 players in Origin II in the mix to hit the open market. See which rep stars are on the hit list.
Dean RitchieThis will be the $10m State of Origin fire sale – and there are some megabucks to be made.
Unbelievably, 15 players from State of Origin II in Perth could flood the NRL open market in just four months, prompting a frenzied scramble by cashed-up clubs to secure the cream of rugby league.
And players know – as do their agents – that a big game in Origin II on Sunday night can increase an annual contract value by up to $50,000.
The market will be red hot with several clubs having already started scrutinising the available big-name talent expected onto the market; Canterbury and the Dolphins certain to be active.
Origin squad players;
Daniel Tupou
Victor Radley
Ben Hunt
Damien Cook
Stephen Crichton Liam Martin\
Brian To’o
Murray Taulagi
Cameron Munster
Selwyn Cobbo
Thomas Flegler
Siosifa Talakai
Jeremiah Nanai
come off contract after next season, meaning they are free agents from November 1 this year.
Canterbury’s Matt Burton is under contract until after 2024 but the final season is an option in his favour while Angus Crichton comes off after this year.
It adds up to around $10m worth of elite talent.
Latrell Mitchell, who should play Origin III provided he comes through his return club game for Souths against Parramatta next weekend, is also off contract after next season.
Crichton, the Roosters and Blues edge forward, has been linked to Parramatta, Wests Tigers and Melbourne. Speculation about a Crichton shift to Victoria continues to increase, although Storm management on Tuesday denied an interest.
“It’s unrivalled the amount of star players coming off contract at the one time,” said one leading player agent. “They are some of the biggest names in rugby league.
“Clubs have started talking about November 1 and who they may target.
“Some clubs won’t have the cash to chase but others are moving around their cap as we speak to ensure there is space to go after a big name once some of these players hit the open market in a few months.”
Most clubs will be anxious to lock down their star players to avoid any open market scramble.
Penrith will face the challenge of trying to retain three Origin players – Crichton, Martin and To’o. The Panthers salary cap will already be tight through Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo.
Munster looms as the big fish.
He has been linked to deals worth up to $1.2m but does harbour a quiet desire to remain in Melbourne under coach Craig Bellamy.
“Munster will be the biggest story,” said one Sydney-based coach. “Can you imagine the headlines if he ended up quitting Melbourne? It would be huge news.”
Mitchell wants to re-sign at Souths and the club is ready to kickstart contract discussions. Cook is another champion the Rabbitohs desperately want to keep.
Brisbane also face the difficult task of re-signing Cobbo and Flegler while Cronulla will be keen to retain Talakai.
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