Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Clubs are clamouring to re-sign their best players ahead of November 1, when free agents for the 2024 season come onto the open market.
Here are the players your club cannot afford to let go if they have designs on success going forward.
And here is the full list of players coming off contract at the end of this month.
Melbourne Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona
With Cameron Munster signing a four-year extension, attention turns to big Nelson. Re-signing Asofa-Solomona is even more important given the losses of Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Brandon Smith. However, with a large portion of the salary cap invested in the spine – Ryan Papenhuyzen, Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant – the Storm could be at risk of being blown out of the water if a big-money offer comes in for Asofa-Solomona. With Christian Welch as his front-row partner, Asofa-Solomona’s experience will be key for the Storm.
Parramatta Eels: Dylan Brown
Mitchell Moses is their halfback and leader but Dylan Brown is the future. Still just 22, the Kiwi five-eighth has enjoyed a breakout year after having somehow copped criticism for his 2021 season. His 2022 campaign was a belter. Brown ran the ball more, scored 11 tries and his 17 try assists were more than the previous three years combined. With quality halves hard to come by, the Eels need to lock him down.
St George Illawarra Dragons: Blake Lawrie
Now that Ben Hunt is locked down, the Dragons’ attention must turn to Lawrie. The 25-year-old played every game this season, averaging more than 100m with his bustling carries. He’s a local junior and they type of player the Red-V should be prioritising to ensure they build their squad around homegrown talent, rather than relying on the free agency market. Talks stalled the last time Lawrie was off contract before the Dragons extended him earlier this year. They can’t let that happen again.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Matt Burton
A no-brainer. Losing Matt Burton would be a disaster for the Cameron Ciraldo/Phil Gould Belmore rebuild. Burton isn’t expected to take up his contract option for 2024, which will allow rival clubs to sign him from November 1. The five-eighth is only 22, has a tremendous kicking game, is a strong ball runner and a big body. With significant money already outlaid on the likes of Josh Addo-Carr, Tevita Pangai Jr and 2023 recruits Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney, the Bulldogs will have to cleverly manage their salary cap.
Sydney Roosters: Joseph Suaalii
The Roosters’ lack of depth in their outside backs was badly exposed at the back end of last season. Of the big guns, James Tedesco will be 30 and Luke Keary 31 next season, meaning the Roosters must plan for the future.
