November 1 approaching so talk has already started turning to player movements for 2026. Given we are about a year behind everyone else in signing players (or at least announcing them) this seems to be a little skewed as Aloiai & Waddell have unfortunately already been reportedly extended and Lodge & Condon seem to already be gone. But of the rest of them, the only one we really need to keep is Bullemor. The others can try and prove they deserve a new deal next year, and hopefully DCE retires so we can start moving in a new direction.
Who your NRL club is targeting in free agency frenzy... and the stars you could lose — State of play
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SEA EAGLES
Off-contract 2024: Corey Waddell, Matthew Lodge, Raymond Vaega
Off-contract 2025: Aaron Schoupp, Ben Condon, Clayton Faulalo, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Bullemor, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Jake Arthur, Josh Aloiai, Toafofoa Sipley
Let’s begin with Matt Lodge, who is reportedly set to depart the Sea Eagles. He’s said himself that he’s seeking a longer term NRL contract, with the Sea Eagles unable to offer a deal longer than two years, or at a value that could be agreed upon. However, a move to the Super League looms likely for the front row enforcer, who said to AAP his contract situation was “up in the air”. Interestingly, Daly Cherry-Evans is set to become a free agent come November 1 if the Sea Eagles don’t lock him up for a further season. At 35-years of age, the Maroons gun is showing no signs of slowing down and has even hinted he could give up playing representative football if it means prolonging his NRL career. Once again, elite playmakers are hard to come by and Manly bosses will be doing everything they can to retain his services should he continue his NRL career past the 2025 season. Elsewhere, Josh Aloiai, Toafofoa Sipley, Ben Condon and Ethan Bullemor are all free to negotiate with rivals come November 1. With Jazz Tevaga reportedly set to arrive at the club, one of these forwards could be squeezed out after the 2025 campaign. Elsewhere, Clayton Faulalo will likely be a retention target, having shown just how talented he can be in the limited games he featured in 2024.