The 10 biggest stars who are NRL free agents on November 1, and what they could earn

JUNKYARD DOGS

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November 1 is fast approaching and there’s a bunch of NRL stars waiting to be pounced on by clubs with cash to spend.
Any player who doesn’t have a deal after the 2020 season can legally be approached by rivals as soon as October ends.

Here are the 10 biggest stars who are free agents as of November 1.

LATRELL MITCHELL

Contracted to: Roosters

Reportedly on: $550,000

His situation: Mitchell’s contract situation has been one of the hottest talking points in rugby league for the best part of 2019.




There were reports of a monster $10 million multi-year offer on the table from Canterbury, who apparently wanted the 22-year-old as their marquee man for the remainder of his career.

South Sydney has also been floated, more than once, as a potential destination for the strike centre.

Reports claimed members of Mitchell’s family were trying to push him towards Redfern, while a change of management was also playing a role in his future at the Chooks.

The player has also stated his desire to one day play at five-eighth instead of centre, which could ultimately sway his decision when choosing a club.

What he could command: There’s some who have labelled Mitchell the best player in rugby league ... he can certainly be one of the most damaging centres. As a state and international rep player his next contract could be in excess of $1 million a season. He was hot and cold throughout 2019 and will need to find consistency in 2020 to justify the payrise.

CODY WALKER

Contracted to: Rabbitohs

Reportedly on: $600,000

His situation: At the top of his game he can be one of the best players in the NRL, and he was over the opening 10 rounds of season 2019.

During that purple form - which earned him a State of Origin debut - there were reports up to seven NRL clubs were interested in chasing Walker’s signature.

In May, South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett told the Courier Mail re-signing Walker was “a priority” for the club, and “I don’t plan to lose Cody”.

The back half of his season was disappointing as his form dropped away badly. Whether that impacts his future earnings remains to be seen.

There’s been mixed reports as to whether Walker wants to remain at Redfern or chase money elsewhere.

Most recently, The Daily Telegraph reported Walker’s manager Matt Rose was negotiating a three-year extension at the Rabbitohs which would be worth more than $2.5 million.

What he could command: Reports say the Rabbitohs may have to fork out up to $800,000 a year to keep Walker. That will be aided if Sam Burgess is forced to medically retire, and his salary is scrapped from the cap. Otherwise, it’s said rival clubs are willing to pay $900,000 for the crafty five-eighth.If he can consistently produce his best football throughout 2020 that value could grow even further.

DAVID FIFITA

Contracted to: Broncos

His situation: NRL Scout wrote in August the Warriors and Eels had shown interest, and were prepared to pay upwards of $700,000 a season.

The Courier Mail then reported Fifita’s manager Steve Deacon had indicated his client wants to stay at the Broncos and he would work with the club to broker an extension.

Fifita may be prepared to accept less money to stay at Red Hill long-term ... but even Deacon conceded they would consider rival offers if the money was too attractive to ignore.

What he could command: The Australian reporter Brent Read wrote this week at least one NRL club is prepared to fork out $1 million for the kid in season 2021, and would sign for as long a contract as he asked for. If he remains at Brisbane he would likely be accepting less than that.

JACK WIGHTON

Contracted to: Raiders

Reportedly on: $750,000

His situation: The centre-turned-five-eighth’s agent Matt Rose knocked back a Canberra contract option for season 2021 after Wighton won the Clive Churchill Medal in a losing team.

But the player revealed to the Sydney Morning Herald this week the reason for knocking back that option was purely due to a change in management, not because he is looking to leave the nation’s capital.

Reports say that 2021 option was worth about $900,000. And that was agreed to before Wighton had been best-on-ground in a grand final.

He will be only 27 years old by next season and is just coming into the prime of his career. He’s also now a Blues and Kangaroos representative.

What he could command: If his 2021 option was already valued at $900,000, Wighton could very well become a $1 million player when his next contract is inked.

JAI ARROW

Contracted to: Titans

His situation: Gold Coast gave Arrow early permission to speak to rival clubs in August, in an attempt to have the situation sorted before the November 1 mayhem.

The Titans have reportedly tabled a four-year, $3 million offer for the State of Origin youngster and they want to keep him at the club for his entire career.

The Courier Mail has reported up to eight rival clubs are interested in speaking to the wrecking ball, including the Eels, Tigers, Bulldogs, Sharks, and Dragons.

It’s unknown exactly which clubs took advantage of the permission to approach Arrow prematurely.

Fairfax Media also reported recently Arrow’s partner could benefit from a Sydney move as she looks to grow her modelling career.

What he could command: Fairfax Media has reported Arrow’s management has told Sydney clubs they will need to fork out $900,000 a season to lure him south.

JAKE TRBOJEVIC and TOM TRBOJEVIC

Contracted to: Sea Eagles

Reportedly on: $900,000 for Jake, close to $1 million for Tom

Their situation: Manly’s star siblings have made no secret of the fact their preference is to play out their NRL careers together.

They told foxsports.com.au in July they would be prepared to sacrifice some money if it meant they could remain side by side on the northern beaches.

Now the club just needs to juggle their salary cap to accommodate both players on their books.

The thorn in Manly’s side is a number of other NRL clubs circling, with reports of huge dollars being thrown at the brothers as soon as November 1 hits.

Both players have been consistent in saying they are in no rush to get their future sorted beyond season 2020, so the Sea Eagles have time on their side.

What they could command: Fairfax and Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler has previously written a club like Canterbury would be prepared to fork out as much as $1.4 million for Tom, and about $1.1 million for brother Jake. That’s a package deal of $2.5 million a season if it came to fruition. If they stay at Manly they would be earning closer to $1 million each.

MOSES SULI

Contracted to: Sea Eagles

His situation: After a stuttering start to his NRL career - having taken a $1.3 million contract from the Tigers only to be sacked soon after - Suli finally seemed to put it all together in 2019.

His form for the Sea Eagles this year gave us some sort of glimpse of the potential the Tigers saw in him a couple of years earlier.

And if he can replicate it in 2020 there’s no reason Suli can’t become one of the most damaging centres in the NRL, and will be paid accordingly.

Manly will obviously get first crack at the young talent given they were the ones who threw him a lifeline when his career was on the scrapheap.

What he could command: Suli is still banking brownie points given he was sacked by two NRL clubs for a poor attitude towards training, prior to joining Manly. He might not be able to command huge dollars just yet, as Latrell Mitchell can, but won’t be short of a crust.

RYAN PAPENHUYZEN

Contracted to: Storm

Reportedly on: $140,000

His situation: The 21-year-old burst onto the NRL scene this year after starting 2019 as the club’s third choice fullback.

Now the electric speedster is one of Melbourne’s priority re-signings heading into 2020.

The club’s football boss Frank Ponissi told NRL Scout in July they were planing to upgrade Papenhuyzen’s 2020 deal, and extend his contract to keep him in the southern capital.

The player also wants to stay there under coach Craig Bellamy and hopes to start the 2020 season at fullback.

What he could command: Having become a starting fullback Papenhuyzen could be looking at a $500,000 payday on his next deal. Canberra’s own No.1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was on a bargain deal this year, before agreeing to a big upgrade worth almost half a million a season.

DYLAN BROWN

Contracted to: Eels

Reportedly on: Minimum wage in 2019

His situation: The teenage star attracted headlines before he had even played an NRL game earlier this year.

It was due to news of a huge million-dollar-a-season offer from the Warriors, controversially done while Brown was still under contract and unable to be approached.

Parramatta certainly wasn’t happy their gun young halfback was being poached by rivals so soon.

His rookie season didn;t all go to plan, as he spent time out of the game due to a back problem.

If he can manage that and have a full 2020 season for the Eels, Brown’s value could skyrocket.

What he could command: If the Warriors were prepared to fork out a million bucks for the kid he could be looking at a huge payday on his next deal. The Eels will need to stump up plenty of cash.
 

Natboy

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JUNKYARD DOGS

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Particularly with Tom’s injury history for a young fella
It would be a huge risk and especially if a long term deal. One of the best going around at the moment no doubt there, but fair time on the sidelines past couple seasons. I cant see Jake commanding that money by himself either.
 

Natboy

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It would be a huge risk and especially if a long term deal. One of the best going around at the moment no doubt there, but fair time on the sidelines past couple seasons. I cant see Jake commanding that money by himself either.
It would be so satisfying to sign them just to piss Des and Manly off though haha
 

CrittaMagic69

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