More than 100 players with first-grade experience are yet to find a club for next year, raising fears the majority could be squeezed out of the NRL.
Some of the biggest names in the game – including Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Darius Boyd – remain off contract for 2018. While they will have little trouble finding a home should they want one for 2018, the story will be different for the fringe first grader.
The player market has come to a virtual halt due to a coaching merry-go-round in which Neil Henry, Michael Maguire and Des Hasler have been sacked, creating uncertainty around their former clubs' retention and recruitment strategy. Complicating the issue are the protracted collective bargaining agreement negotiations that have left the game without an official salary cap for next year. While the figure will almost certainly be $9.4 million when developing and veteran player allowances are factored in, most of the clubs have already spent their money, while others have overspent and will need to shed stars to comply.
Rather than jump at the unsigned talent available, clubs with cash to spend are holding out for the likes of Cronk, unsettled Panther Matt Moylan, Cronulla playmaker James Maloney or other contracted stars that may come onto the open market. Clubs such as the Raiders and Bulldogs may need to offload talent, leading to bargain buys ahead of the NRL kick-off next March.
The situation has left established players such as Ryan Hoffman, Michael Lichaa, Tyrone Roberts, Jamal Idris, Chris Heighington, Frank Pritchard, Tony Williams, William Zillman, Jorge Taufua, Chase Stanley, Peter Mata'utia, Drew Hutchison, Joel Edwards, Kyle Lovett, David Gower, Pauli Pauli, Jack Stockwell and Jaelen Feeney in limbo.
"It's been tough. I feel very sorry for the players who get caught in the squeeze," said veteran player manager Steve Gillis.
"We are now going to enter a stage where, more than likely, clubs will need to offload. Asking a player to move at this time of year now is near impossible. It gets harder the longer it goes."
Heighington is keen to add to his tally of 318 NRL appearances. He will be 36 in January, but his body is showing no signs of wear and tear. The two-time premiership winner has missed just four games in the past two season despite playing in the forwards.
"There's a couple of NRL clubs interested, a few from overseas," Heighington said.
"I'm just trying to get the right one and get the right decision. One more year at this stage, I don't want to be too greedy. The body's feeling good. I have barely missed a game through injury for four or five years. I haven't had a reconstruction or anything like that. Hopefully I get through my NRL career with just a few broken bones."
Gower is another player who would walk into the best 17 at most clubs. The journeyman forward made just seven appearances this year for Parramatta, where competition for spots in the engine room is fierce. He's hoping to be offered a one-year extension.
"We've been talking for a little while now and I'd like to think we could get something done," Gower said.
The future is less clear for Idris. The 27-year-old made a comeback with Wests Tigers this season after taking a gap year to discover the world and himself. His return was cruelled by another season-ending knee injury after just five games, with the joint-venture outfit opting not to offer him a new contract.
The cult figure declared his intention to continue playing immediately after undergoing surgery in June, but complications with the recovery meant he was less certain when contacted by Fairfax Media during the week.
Idris, the recipient of the Tigers' community achievement award for his efforts off the field, said he was enjoying fishing and spending time with children in regional areas.
"That's one thing that makes you happy, spending time with kids," he said.
"When I had surgery a few months ago I was really frustrated, obviously. Before I went in I was getting really upset because they were sending me in for scan after scan.
"When I walked in to get the X-ray, I walked through the cancer ward. That's when you take a step back and realise you're doing all right."
Most of the players on the off-contract list have little bargaining power. Zillman's last contract with the Gold Coast was of the five-year variety. While the Titans are open to keeping him for his experience, it's understood their latest offer is a tiny fraction of his previous asking price.
At the Dragons, Hutchison was set to get the first crack at the No.7 jersey vacated by Benji Marshall last season. However the former Junior Kangaroo is at a crossroads after sitting out the year with a season-ending ACL injury, while Ben Hunt is assured of the halfback spot after shifting from Brisbane on one of the richest deals in NRL history.
It's also an uncertain time for those yet to make their first-grade debuts. George Jennings, the brother of Parramatta star Michael Jennings, is off contract. His older brother believes he is capable of vying for the wing spot vacated by Semi Radradra, although it remains to be seen if he will remain at the Eels long enough to do so.
"There are a lot of other players who want that position and it's big shoes to fill with Semi leaving," Michael Jennings said.
"There's definitely an opportunity for George, it's just if he wants to take it. It would have been good to see him get an opportunity this year, but he's been unlucky not getting selected. He's been really good in Cup and is knocking on the door to play first grade.
"It would be good to see him get the opportunity for all the hard work he does, he just needs some luck."
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