The November 1 deadline is less than 24 hours away and several clubs are facing major decisions over the future of their halfback with several high-profile names hitting the open market.
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From a four-time premiership to a young prospect searching for an opportunity, several playmakers could be on the move while others are expected to remain at their current clubs.
Foxsports.com.au examines where every off-contract NRL halfback stands ahead of November 1 and our verdict on where they’ll land.
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READ: The November 1 verdict on all 12 off-contract fullbacks
BEN HUNT
Nearly two decades after his debut, 2027 is set to be Ben Hunt’s final NRL season. Having achieved everything the sport has to offer, the 373-game veteran is likely to be used sporadically next year as he helps develop the next generation of talent coming through Red Hill.
Although he will bring experience, he won’t be needed beyond that, with either Blake Mozer or Cameron Bukowski seen as the club’s long-term No.9, and Ezra Mam, Jonah Pezet, and Thomas Duffy contending for a spot in the halves.
Team: Brisbane Broncos
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving (Retiring)
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JOCK MADDEN
A quality back-up playmaker, Madden could emerge as one of the bargain buys of the November 1 window having done a great job in recent seasons for the Brisbane Broncos and Wests Tigers when coming into the line-up as injury coverage.
Although he racked up 15 appearances in the NRL this season for the Tigers in which he provided six try assists and forced eight drop-outs, the rise of Latu Fainu and Javon Andrews is expected to limit is game time with the club.
This could see him look to find a new opportunity elsewhere.
Constantly linked with the Super League competition, expect him to garner plenty of interest on the open market with the 26-year-old showing that he is still yet to reach the prime of his career and could one day force his way into being a team’s regular starting halfback.
Team: Wests Tigers
Teams linked with: Super League
Verdict: Leaving
JONAH GLOVER
Departing the Dragons at the end of 2025, Glover arrived at the Rabbitohs with high expectations and was given first crack to press his case for the halfback role in their inaugural pre-season match against his former club.
However, he lasted only three minutes before being taken off with a jaw injury. This would sideline him for seven weeks, and when he returned, he failed to break into the first-grade line-up.
With Ashton Ward cementing the halfback role by the end of the year and the club having high hopes for rookies Matthew Humphries and Payton Tarau, Glover will be on the lookout for a new team.
Surprisingly, he has yet to attract interest from rival teams despite being granted permission to explore his options since August.
Team: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving
KYLE FLANAGAN
After his father was sacked as head coach, Kyle Flanagan’s future has been clouded in uncertainty.
Following this, he was immediately dropped from the starting side in favour of youngster Kade Reed and the writing on the wall is that he won’t be offered an extension by the Dragons.
Only used at the back end of last year’s campaign due to injuries, the arrival of Kodi Nikorima and Luke Metcalf has moved him further down the pecking order and he could very well not see out the remainder of his contract.
Still only 28, he could emerge as a good depth signing for a rival team but he has struggled with cementing a regular NRL spot throughout his tenure in first grade with the Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs and Dragons.
“It’s definitely been a challenge,” Flanagan said about his father’s departure earlier in the year.
“There have been a few challenges thrown at the club and different individuals, but you come to work to get better and do your job for the team.
“That is the way I approached every day – come here, be a better man and go home to my family.”
Team: St George Illawarra Dragons
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving
LACHLAN ILIAS
Once seen as Adam Reynolds’ successor at the Cardinal and Myrtle, Lachlan Ilias found himself moved on by the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2024 season and has struggled to get his career back on track.
Only featuring in 20 matches for the Dragons and Gold Coast Titans over the past two seasons, the emergence of rookie Zane Harrison has moved him further down the pecking order at the club and will see him on the lookout for a new team.
Still yet to reach his ceiling as a player, the 26-year-old will need to rejuvenate his career in 2027 and show teams that he is still capable of being a long-term playmaker in the NRL.
If he isn’t able to do this, the only option that may arise for him will be from overseas in the Super League.
Team: Gold Coast Titans
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Leaving
MATTHEW HUMPHRIES
He may not have made his NRL debut yet, but Matthew Humphries is set to be a key piece of the Rabbitohs’ long-term future and is already held in high regard among club officials.
After two seasons in NSW Cup, Humphries is expected to make the jump to the NRL soon and will officially join the Souths’ Top 30 roster for the first time in 2027.
Able to play five-eighth or halfback, the Newington College graduate will contend with Ashton Ward and Jayden Sullivan for the No.7 jersey and could become Cody Walker’s long-term successor once the veteran hangs up the boots.
Team: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Staying
MITCHELL WOODS
The Bulldogs will soon be forced into making a decision about whether they keep Woods or decide to let him go.
A highly-regarded prospect who has been earmarked to be the club’s long-term halfback for a number of season, Woods has unfortunately struggled with a string of hamstring injuries which have limited his opportunities to get regular game time on the field.
While the club’s GM of Football Phil Gould has said on numerous occasions that Woods is destined to partner Lachlan Galvin in the halves, another injury-riddled season could see the club look in another direction.
Team: Canterbury Bulldogs
Teams linked with: None
Verdict: Staying
NATHAN CLEARY
A four-time premiership winner and the reigning Dally M Medallist, it’s still hard to imagine that Nathan Cleary has yet to be secured by the Penrith Panthers beyond the 2027 season.
However, don’t expect him to depart the club.
While he is set to attract a ton of interest and is firmly on the radar of the PNG Chiefs, it is understood he has only put all contract talks on hold with the Panthers to completely focus on his recovery from dual surgeries.
Even if he is tabled an offer from another club, Penrith will be given multiple days to match the offer – something they are expected to do according to multiple reports.
Team: Penrith Panthers
Teams linked with: PNG Chiefs, Roosters, Warriors, Rugby Union, Super League
Verdict: Staying
SAM WALKER
Last Sunday, Sam Walker seemed destined to remain at the Sydney Roosters telling media after his international debut for the Kangaroos that he was hopeful of getting something sorted out with the Tricolours.
“I’ve spent this week not worrying about (the contract) and letting my manager do his job in the background,” Walker said via CODE Sports.
“My job was to go out and play football. I’m sure on Monday I’ll have a conversation with him, and we’ll sit down and hopefully get something sorted.
“I’m sure I’ll have time over the next couple of days to (go through it).
“It’s nice to be wanted. I’m going to make a decision soon on my future. But right now, my focus was completely on making sure I got the win for Australia.”
Robbo speaks out about Walker drama | 00:44
Since then, Walker has been in the centre of headlines this week after rejecting the Roosters’ extension offer which saw the club subsequently withdraw the offer after both parties were unable to reach an agreement.
Now, he is bound to depart the side – less than two months after steering them to the 2026 premiership – and has attracted a ton of interest across the league and also from rugby union.
“No, I mean Nick made that pretty clear. We were pretty clear in those negotiations. We knew what we wanted,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
“Sam did want more time, but don’t forget we started negotiations in the middle of the year, they pushed it back to after the season.
“He’s contracted next year, he’s at the Roosters, he’s just not there from 2028 onwards.
“Sammy’s a Rooster until the end of 2027, and then he’s off from 2028, and that’s his decision.”
Team: Sydney Roosters
Teams linked with: Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Cowboys, Perth Bears, PNG Chiefs, Rugby Union
Verdict: Leaving
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