The Sydney Roosters face a big battle to retain their superstars as rival clubs begin pitching to off-contract players.
Penrith's triple premiership-winning five-eighth Jarome Luai headlines a list of more than 150 players who are contracted through 2024, but able to field rival offers for 2025 from November 1.
Other big names include Newcastle's recent State of Origin debutant Bradman Best, Brisbane's grand-final standout Ezra Mam and crafty North Queensland five-eighth Tom Dearden.
But Trent Robinson's Roosters undoubtedly have the biggest pool of top-level talent hitting the open market as they look to string together a more consistent season in 2024.
Five-eighth Luke Keary sits top of that list, with the club facing a difficult call over whether he and Sam Walker are the right halves pairing to inspire more premiership success.
The perennial heavyweights have endured two up-and-down seasons and Keary, who has struggled with concussion in recent times, turns 32 in February.
Roosters utility Joey Manu is an enticing prospect for rival clubs, able to play fullback at an elite level but stuck behind captain James Tedesco for that spot at Bondi.
Manu - who has previously insisted he has no preference as to which position he plays - is tied to a Roosters deal worth an estimated $800,000 per season, big money for a centre.
Roosters edge forward Angus Crichton has repeatedly been linked with a switch back to his boyhood code of rugby union, but talks of an immediate move have broken down.
He remains contracted through 2024 on a reported $600,000 per year - another potential financial spanner in the works for the Tricolours if he opts against moving to the 15-man code.
Stalwarts Nat Butcher and Daniel Tupou are also without deals beyond 2024, as is prop Terrell May, whose impact off the bench was vital as the Roosters made a late charge to the 2023 finals.
Veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves turns 35 in January and is off contract at the end of 2024, but appears likely to retire at season's end.
The Wests Tigers, Canterbury and St George Illawarra are all set to spring into action from November 1, eager to bolster their stocks following disappointing 2023 campaigns.
Wednesday will be the first official day on the job for new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and his Gold Coast counterpart Des Hasler.
St George Illawarra are poised to make a serious play for Luai to start in the halves.
The playing future of first-choice five-eighth Junior Amone is clouded following a guilty verdict in his recent assault trial, while halfback Ben Hunt has made no secret of his desire to leave the joint venture.
