The off contract thread 2025

[Twizzle]

What the f**k happened to @Maroubra Eel

Hasn't logged in for 8 years

 

[RustedonEel]

Hasn't logged in for 8 years

Probably lost his Internet privileges at the Bay Hotel.

 

[Chipmunk]

Moretti:

Off contract (i.e. uncontracted for 2026)
Addo-Carr (club option)
Brown (player option)
Cartwright
Dunster
Greig
Lane (mutual option)
Lussick
Mataele
Matterson (player option)
Ofahengaue
Wenisini (player option)
Tuivati

Of this list, the only one Off Contract that should be considered for 2026 is Tuivati, depending on how much he wants.

If the ones with Player Options want to take them up, then so be it...but you're not getting a cent more.

Fox obviously we can decide later and we'll see how he goes.

If both parties have to take up a Mutual Option for it to occur, then Lane has half a season to convince us.

 

[Avenger]

Of this list, the only one Off Contract that should be considered for 2026 is Tuivati, depending on how much he wants.

If the ones with Player Options want to take them up, then so be it...but you're not getting a cent more.

Fox obviously we can decide later and we'll see how he goes.

If both parties have to take up a Mutual Option for it to occur, then Lane has half a season to convince us.

Matterson has taken his option.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Drown:

Off contract (i.e. uncontracted for 2026)
Addo-Carr (club option)
Cartwright
Dunster
Greig
Lane (mutual option)
Lussick
Mataele
Matterson (player option)
Ofahengaue
Wenisini (player option)
Tuivati

NRL.com is showing Lane as contracted for 2026 while Matterson and Penisini are not. JAC's club option is still shown: https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/01/01/2025-nrl-signings-tracker-new-year-new-heroes/

 

[the phantom menace]

I don't think there's any guaranteed "keepers" there for 2026 - apart from the gents with options that force us that way.

Tuivati has started the season with the most hope of getting a 2026 deal - selected for the NRL bench twice.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Ofahengaue:

Off contract (i.e. uncontracted for 2026)
Addo-Carr (club option)
Cartwright
Dunster
Greig
Lane (mutual option)
Lussick
Mataele
Matterson (player option)
Wenisini (player option)
Tuivati

NRL.com is showing Lane as contracted for 2026 while Matterson and Penisini are not. JAC's club option is still shown: https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/01/01/2025-nrl-signings-tracker-new-year-new-heroes/

 

[emjaycee]

Of the above 10, I reckon Ryles will keep 4.

That's a lot of new blood for 2026 needed.

 

[Chipmunk]

Of the above 10, I reckon Ryles will keep 4.

That's a lot of new blood for 2026 needed.

It's not his decision for three though.

 

[emjaycee]

I reckon Matto is done despite the PO.

JAC, Will, Mataele and Sam I reckon is all we have in 2026.

 

[the phantom menace]

So... re-sign Sam T, re-sign Mataele, Dunster and Greig cheaply (as backups/for Cup), and active Addo-Carr's option.

Matterson and Penisini have us over a barrel for next year due to POs... but let Cartwright, Lane, and Lussick walk (earlier the better).

Off contract (i.e. uncontracted for 2026)
Josh Addo-Carr (CO) - will be 30yo, take the option and lock him in for 2026!
Bryce Cartwright - will be 31yo and only playing Cup... no need to retain
Haze Dunster - will be 26yo and in good Cup form... if stays uninjured cheap rerain?
Wiremu Greig - will be 26yo and hasn't reached his potential... possible cheap retain?
Shaun Lane (MO) - will be 31yo and not playing at all... don't activate the option, bye
Joey Lussick - will be 30yo and only playing Cup... no need to retain
Toni Mataele - will be 23yo and just debuted in NRL... cheap retain?
Ryan Matterson (PO) - will be 31yo... he'll probably use his PO to stay one more year
Will Penisini (PO) - will be 23yo... when taking his PO needs a rocket to reach potential
Sam Tuivaiti - will be 21yo... just re-sign him now while he's injured for 3 more years!

 

[TheParraboy]

Would it be a wise move to extend JAC till end of 2027, even 2028?

Experienced wingers with top speed arent easy to replace

I can see Perth trying to nab him for their first couple of years

 

[Soto]

Would it be a wise move to extend JAC till end of 2027, even 2028?

Experienced wingers with top speed arent easy to replace

I can see Perth trying to nab him for their first couple of years

Still very good and could be around for 3-4yrs and good for motivation and morale

 

[Poupou Escobar]

A few merkins locked in until at least November and thus removed from this list, thusly:

Off contract (i.e. uncontracted for 2026)
Addo-Carr (club option)
Cartwright
Dunster
Greig
Lane (mutual option)
Lussick
Matterson (player option)

 

[Grigor]

Pou matterson has taken up his player option meaning we have 25 signings for next year with todays upgrades , surely addo Carr is extended meaning 26 signings , only 4 more spots available so I'm guessing we may release hands and matterson freeing up a few more options

 

[Gronk]

Pou matterson has taken up his player option meaning we have 25 signings for next year with todays upgrades , surely addo Carr is extended meaning 26 signings , only 4 more spots available so I'm guessing we may release hands and matterson freeing up a few more options

It does say that HERE.

He has taken up a player option for next season with the Eels, but despite that, it appears as though Matterson might be on the move.

 

[the phantom menace]

Good to see Tuivaiti and Mataele locked away.

On the player option side, the out of form Penisni and Matterson were always going to activate their POs on terms in their current contract.

In financial accounting terms we would have had those down in the liabilities column (for cap money we couldn't spend unless the PO not taken up). Now the value of those POs transfers over to the confirmed expenditures column, to represent money we are spending from the cap - which helps Ryles and co know how much cap for future seasons might be left.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It does say that HERE.

He has taken up a player option for next season with the Eels, but despite that, it appears as though Matterson might be on the move.

It might be true, but it isn't official.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Good to see Tuivaiti and Mataele locked away.

On the player option side, the out of form Penisni and Matterson were always going to activate their POs on terms in their current contract.

In financial accounting terms we would have had those down in the liabilities column (for cap money we couldn't spend unless the PO not taken up). Now the value of those POs transfers over to the confirmed expenditures column, to represent money we are spending from the cap - which helps Ryles and co know how much cap for future seasons might be left.

Penisini isn't out of form. He is "one of the Club’s most consistent performers".

Parramatta Eels secure key talent with contract extensions

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the re-signing of four players, reinforcing the Club's commitment to developing and retaining elite talent.

www.parraeels.com.au

 

[the phantom menace]

Penisini isn't out of form. He is "one of the Club’s most consistent performers".

Parramatta Eels secure key talent with contract extensions

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the re-signing of four players, reinforcing the Club's commitment to developing and retaining elite talent.

www.parraeels.com.au

Uh yeah, OK...