Chris Sandow and Trent Hodkinson will have a big role in how their teams perform this season, but the halfbacks remain without a home for the next.
Canterbury will host Parramatta in a blockbuster at ANZ Stadium on Friday night as the NRL's halves merry-go-round continues. Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans has committed to the Gold Coast from next season, while Kieran Foran is expected to switch to the blue and gold.
Sandow and Hodkinson headline the list of playmakers still on the open market and both want to remain with their current sides. However, they are likely to be in high demand from clubs that missed out on the Sea Eagles halves.
Sandow had a blinder against Manly, scoring two tries, and combined well with pivot Corey Norman after the Eels pack steamrolled their opponents. After initially struggling with the switch from Redfern, the diminutive playmaker is starting to live up to expectations under coach Brad Arthur. The 26-year-old is now hoping to finish his career at the Eels.
"It's good here," Sandow said.
"It's up to the club and Brad. Brad is a great coach and I would like to stay, but it's up to him and the club if they want to keep me."
Sandow revealed he is attempting to take on more responsibility following the departure of superstar Jarryd Hayne to follow his NFL dream.
"Jarryd left so I had to take that on board," Sandow said.
"They are some big shoes to fill with Jarryd gone but we've been working really hard and bought well in the off-season. But last year me and Normy did the same job we're going to do this year. Even if Jarryd was there, we would still be doing the same thing. We've got Hoppa [fullback Will Hopoate] there now and he's doing a really good job for us."
Manly and Cronulla are among the clubs interested in signing Hodkinson, but his Canterbury teammates hope he will stay put.
"It would be great for him to stay, he's obviously a massive part of our team," Josh Jackson said.
"He's great competitor and to see where he's come in the last couple of years, after all the injuries he's had to his rise last year, is great to see. We'd love Hodko to stick around, for sure."
Fellow forward Frank Pritchard added: "It's pretty daunting not knowing where you're going to be next year. There's been a lot of speculation about halfbacks over the last few weeks. Just for himself, [it would be good] to sort it out and focus on the year ahead."
Hodkinson will have extra responsibility after halves partner Josh Reynolds was scratched for up to eight games with a fractured arm, although he was looking at missing two weeks regardless after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw. Moses Mbye is expected to slot into the pivot role alongside Hodkinson until Reynolds returns.
"He trained in the halves all pre-season so he's experienced there, knows all the structures," Jackson said.
"He's young, he's energetic and can handle himself really well. He'll be raring to go, for sure."
Canterbury have one of the biggest packs in the game but they struggled in hot conditions at Penrith after turning over too much ball. The Eels forwards were dominant against Manly, allowing Sandow plenty of space to create for the backline.
"Our forwards have a lot of power and a lot of skill," Sandow said.
"We bought really well in the off-season and hopefully we can back it up against a big pack in the Dogs. If the forwards compete and get over the Dogs, we're a good chance of winning the game."
