NRL contract news: Latest rumours, updates, signings, free agents amid November open market period

NRL contract season is in full swing, with over 100 players officially available to negotiate and sign with rival clubs from November 1st.

Joey Manu and Ezra Mam headline a blockbuster list of talented free agents, with Jarome Luai bringing an end to his long-running saga after announcing a move to the Tigers. 

While players off-contract are free to sign with other franchises, the transfers would not come into effect until the end of 2024 unless granted an early release by their current club. 

The Sporting News will have all the latest rumours and contract updates below. 

MORE: Every club's priority off-contract player | The top-five available players in every position

Justin Olam reportedly edges closer to Wests Tigers switch

Justin Olam's time in Melbourne is reportedly coming to an end with the Papua New Guinea star linked with an immediate switch to the Wests Tigers. 

The centre fell out of favour at the Storm last season and is now being offered the chance to restart his NRL career at Concord. 

Rookie coach Benji Marshall is quickly going about building his new side, after the club announced the capture of Jarome Luai from 2025. 

Olam would be another impressive signing for the wooden spooners, with a touted swap between the clubs taking place with Shawn Blore going in the opposite direction. 

The 23-year-old second-rower, who showed promise last campaign, could be heading south of the border to add depth in an important area for the Storm.  

Ricky Stuart confirms Canberra's interest in Zac Hosking

Zac Hosking could be set to depart Penrith after attracting interest from the Canberra Raiders. 

The 26-year-old has one year remaining on his deal with the three-time premiership winners, and recently toured the facilities in the nation's capital. 

However, the backrower - who played 21 games for the Panthers in his first season with the club after making his debut for the Broncos in 2022 - won't be on the move this year. 

"He was just having a look around but there is no suggestion he will be here in 2024," Stuart told Nine's Wide World of Sports. 

"We are talking to him about 2025 and showed him around - nothing more." 

Manly linked with St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd

Manly are believed to already be preparing for life after captain Daly Cherry-Evans, with the club linked to a number of playmakers in recent days.

Wests Tigers youngster Lachlan Galvin was tentatively linked earlier in the week, while St Helens star Lewis Dodd is also now reportedly on the agenda, according to Serious About Rugby League.

The No.7 is tied to the Super League giants until the end of the 2024 season, while he has an option in his contract to take him through until 2026.

Dodd has drawn plenty of interest from NRL clubs in the past year following his match-clinching drop goal for Saints during their World Club Challenge win over Penrith.

It remains to be seen whether the English international follows Jack Welsby in re-committing to St Helens, or if he wants to try his luck in Australia. 

Joseph Manu set to decide future as Dragons chase centre

Shane Flanagan is reportedly wasting no time in his bid to turn things around at the Dragons, with the incoming head coach tipped to chase Joseph Manu for 2025 and beyond.

Manu, who remains unsigned at the Roosters after next year, could fill a number of roles under Flanagan, including at fullback. 

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the premiership-winning coach admitted Manu would be a prime target for the Dragons, who are tipped to offer the Kiwi sensation $1.2 million per season. 

“I think he would be enormous for our club,” Flanagan said. 

“From what I see when he plays fullback, his involvement is enormous. I think he could make a real fist of it."

Ben Hunt has also welcomed the potential move for Manu, claiming the club 'needs star power' after five years of missing the finals, and believes the Roosters star would add X-factor to their backline. 

MORE: Where will Joey Manu be playing in 2025? 

Ezra Mam reportedly agrees to $3 million Broncos extension

Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam will remain at Red Hill long-term, with the fleet-footed playmaker reportedly agreeing to a new long-term deal with the club.

The 21-year-old lit up the NRL this year and produced one of the all-time grand final performances, scoring a hat-trick against the Panthers before a late comeback saw Brisbane fall short of premiership glory.

According to News Corp, Mam is set to re-sign with the Broncos on a four-year deal worth $3 million, knocking back interest from a number of rival clubs.

The news comes as the club also look to negotiate an upgraded extension for Reece Walsh, who will come off-contract at the end of the 2025 season. 

Dragons, Dolphins chasing teenage Cowboys star

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki burst onto the scene in 2023, emerging as one of the most promising young forwards in the NRL - and rival clubs have begun to take notice.

The teenage back-rower was damaging on both sides of the ball in his rookie campaign for the Cowboys, scoring two tries and making four linebreaks in 12 appearances, with the majority coming off the bench. 

Finefeuiaki comes off-contract at the end of next year, making him available to sign with another club, and has reportedly received interest from both the Dragons and Dolphins.

According to The Daily Telegraph, both organisations are keen to bolster their packs and would be willing to offer up to $600,000 per season to lure Finefeuiaki away from Townsville.

The 19-year-old will likely be stuck behind Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki long-term at North Queensland, making a move to a lower-table team an enticing option to further his exciting career. 

Phil Gould confirms Bulldogs' push for an 'experienced middle forward'

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has stated that the club will be aiming to add a veteran to their forward pack ahead of the 2024 season.

“We realise that (forward pack) is an issue for us and we’re working towards it, but I think we’re a bit better placed than what the average person is looking at there," Gould said on SEN.

"Internally, we’re confident that we’ve got some blokes there that can get the job done for us.

"No doubt we’re looking for an experienced middle forward though."

Bradman Best reportedly set to sign Knights extension

Knights centre Bradman Best looks set to knock back a rich offer from the Wests Tigers and sign a fresh three-year deal to remain with the club.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Concord at the end of 2024, with new head coach Benji Marshall desperate to add strike-power to the club's backline after two-straight wooden spoons.

However, according to the latest report from The Daily Telegraph, Best is expected to re-sign with Newcastle on a contract worth an estimated $700,000 per season.

“I want to stay here... the Tigers have shown some interest, they are keen, but I have to weigh everything up. If it all works out as we plan, I’ll be staying at the Knights," he told the publication.

Best made his State of Origin debut this year and was integral in the Knights dazzling run into the NRL finals, crossing for 13 tries and registering 16 try assists in his 25 appearances in the top grade. 

Brandon Smith, Luke Keary set to stay with Roosters

Two of the Sydney Roosters' biggest names — Brandon Smith and Luke Keary — are likely to remain in Bondi according to the The Daily Telegraph.

Smith — who moved to the Roosters from the Storm last season — had a mixed debut campaign for the Tricolours.

However, he is set to trigger a player option in his contract to remain at the Roosters in 2025.

“The way he played at the end of the year, I believe Brandon will take up the option and extend his stay at the Roosters,” Smith's agent Stan Martin told the publication. 

“I will sit down and discuss things with Brandon once the season gets underway."

Keary is also in line to play on until 2025 for the Roosters, with the 31-year-old likely to push on despite suggestions he could hang up the boots. 

Joseph Suaalii could return to Roosters after rugby stint

He's taken the money on offer with Rugby Australia, but the plan remains for Joseph Suaalii to return to the NRL down the line with the Sydney Roosters.

The 20-year-old is set to switch codes at the conclusion of next season, taking up an estimated $6.4 million deal to play for the Wallabies in the next Rugby World Cup. 

But according to Roosters chairman Nick Politis, the talented outside back is always welcome at Bondi.

“Joseph is a good guy, a good kid," he told Channel Nine.

"It’s sad that we’ve lost him to union, but he tells us he’s coming back in 2028... [he is] always a Rooster.”

The club have already moved to replace Suaalii in the meantime, adding English flyer Dom Young on a multi-year agreement, while also meeting with current union star Mark Nawaqanitawase. 

Adam Reynolds set for contract extension at Broncos

Adam Reynolds is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to remain at Red Hill with the halfback currently locked in negotiations for a new deal with Brisbane.

The Broncos face a tough task of keeping together the core of their side which made the grand final in 2023, with the likes of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam due for major pay increases.

Reynolds’ contract also comes to an end in 2024 with the 33-year-old keen to prolong his career.

“He’s happy at the Broncos and won’t be going anywhere else, so we’ll get the deal done in time,” Reynolds’ manager, Steve Gillis, told News Corp.

The captain is happy in Queensland and is also eyeing a move into coaching at the Broncos following his retirement.

“I know Adam is very settled there and that’s the plan – for him to find another role at the club,” Gillis added.