It’s been a rollercoaster season for Sharks star Braydon Trindall, but after early hurdles the gun halfback could be one of the hottest free agents come November 1.
Cronulla’s playmaker failed roadside tests for both drug and alcohol earlier this year, having been stood down before turning his career around.
The 25-year-old reportedly changed his whole lifestyle, banning himself from booze and gambling venues which has sparked a red-hot run of form.
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Trindall steered the Sharks to their first finals win since 2018 against the Cowboys on Saturday, which also marked Craig Fitzgibbon’s first post-season victory as a coach.
He’s already told foxsports.com.au that he’s set to test the open market come November 1, and his current salary of $300,000 could more than double in the coming months.
The two-time Indigenous All Star will be free to sit down with rivals at the end of this year and the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns made a bold prediction.
He was of the belief Trindall could be in line for a $900,000 pay day.
However, Trindall said he’d love to “repay” the Sharks for keeping the faith in him during his tough times, but it remains to be seen if Cronulla powerbrokers can table a lucrative deal.
Gun playmakers are a hot commodity in the NRL, and with a host of veterans coming to the bookend of their careers, there’s several clubs on the lookout for a new halfback.
So here foxsports.com.au breaks down the potential landing spots for Trindall should he decide to depart the Sharks!
DRAGONS
Shane Flanagan is in the midst of a Red V revolution. He’s already acquired big-name stars Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook while Zac Lomax (Eels), Savelio Tamale (Raiders) and Jack Bird (Wests Tigers) will leave the Dragons.
The future of skipper Ben Hunt is also up in the air, but regardless of his situation, Trindall’s still a player the Red V could be interested in to partner the veteran should he extend for the 2026 season.
However, Hunt and the Dragons are reportedly locked in a standoff surrounding his new deal after Flanagan reportedly made it clear the club weren’t certain they wanted to hand him an extension.
Flanagan reportedly told his marquee man his performances weren’t up to scratch in 2024, and that didn’t go down well with the Queensland representative.
Hunt’s current deal expires at the end of 2025, and Trindall could prove as a perfect replacement for him, but equally could be his right-hand man at five-eighth, such is the Sharks playmaker’s versatility.
Fox League’s Paul Crawley wrote: “The Dragons are another club who could be a good fit if they manage to offload Hunt who is taking up $950,000 of their cap” on Thursday.
So will Flanagan be making a play for Trindall’s services?
Considering he’s always open to acquiring talented players for his squad, and has previously sat down with the likes of Mitch Kenny and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, it’s almost a certainty the Dragons will be putting their name in the hat.
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BULLDOGS
Toby Sexton emerged as the club’s first choice halfback in 2024, having leapfrogged Drew Hutchison in the pecking order.
So would the Bulldogs be a suitable destination for Trindall? It all depends if Cameron Ciraldo sees Sexton as Canterbury’s long-term No.7.
Sexton has revealed he will hit the open market himself come November 1, and he’s free to negotiate to depart the Bulldogs after the 2025 season.
“No talks at the moment,” Sexton said to News Corp when asked if he’d sat down with Bulldogs powerbrokers to work out an extension.
The 23-year-old has previously struggled to cement himself in first grade during his spell at the Titans, and Trindall would be considered an upgrade considering him recent from.
Phil Gould’s also no afraid to allow players to depart to make sure he gets his man, and Trindall could shape as a perfect partner for Matt Burton.
Burton plays his best football when allowed to roam, and Trindall has proved to be the dominant playmaker in recent weeks alongside Nicho Hynes, who previously commanded majority of the ball.
Both players could also compliment each other’s kicking ball, with Trindall’s ability to feed the ball through the defence close to their opponent’s line being a strength.
Meanwhile, Burton has one of the biggest boots rugby league has ever seen.
The Bulldogs could also resist making a play for Trindall considering they have highly-touted youngster Mitchell Woods waiting in the wings on a contract until the end of 2027.
COWBOYS
The Cowboys are in a transitional period with veteran halfback Chad Townsend switching to the Roosters after three seasons in Townsville.
Townsend finished his Cowboys stint in the reserves after Jake Clifford was given the keys to the side.
However, the Cowboys’ season ending loss to the Sharks, that saw them down 24-0 in the semi-final showed they still have a long way to go to push for the title.
While Clifford had some nice moments in his eight games for the Cowboys in 2024 after returning from a stint with Hull FC, it remains to be seen if the 26-year-old is a long-term solution at halfback.
The plan could inevitably be for skipper Tom Dearden to return to the halfback role he played as a junior and at the Broncos, but his best asset is arguably his running game, which could be affected by being the chief playmaker.
Trindall is a natural No.7 despite playing at five-eighth for the Sharks and is reportedly set to be switched to halfback next season with Nicho Hynes finding a new role at No.6 or even No.1.
At 26, Clifford is entering the prime years for a half, but hasn’t lit the house on fire in his 75 NRL games to date, while Trindall is one year younger and has already shown far more class in his 71 games in the top grade.
The sticking point will be whether Trindall wants to uproot his life to Townsville, but the money free’d up by Townsend and Valentine Holmes’ departure could enable the Cowboys to make a play at the talented half.
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KNIGHTS
On the surface the Knights are already choc a block full of halfback options with incumbent Phoenix Crossland, Jackson Hastings and Jack Cogger all on their books for 2025.
However, given Newcastle tried 11 different halves combinations in 2024, it is reasonable to assume Adam O’Brien isn’t locked in on his playmakers going forward.
Added to that, Crossland will likely switch back to hooker next year, given Jayden Brailey has been given permission to look elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Hastings is on the outer at the club after skipping training when he was dropped earlier in the 2024 season and the club would love to get his big money contract off their books to balance their salary cap.
Cogger is a steady half, who has won a premiership with the Panthers as a utility, but it remains to be seen if he can lead a side to a title as a No.7.
The elephant in the room at the Knights is Kalyn Ponga, who has made no secret of his desire to win a premiership by dropping out of Kangaroos contention.
The Knights need to find ways to surround Ponga with other dangerous spine players to help ease the pressure on him having to carry the bulk of the load in attack.
Trindall’s ability to create tries would ease the pressure on Ponga having to essentially be a one man team in attack and allow him to pick his moments more.
The challenge for the Knights is getting some bad contracts off their books, but if they can they would be mad not to make a play for Trindall.
RABBITOHS
South Sydney are not short on halfback options for 2025, with former St Helens star Lewis Dodd joining the club and Lachlan Ilias with two years to run on his deal.
They also have incumbent halfback Cody Walker, who switched from five-eighth to allow Jack Wighton to play in the No.6 jersey last season.
However, Dodd remains an unknown commodity at NRL level and Ilias is returning from a broken leg and hasn’t set the world on fire in his NRL career to date.
Walker’s best position is undoubtedly five-eighth, but he is likely entering the final year of his deal before retiring and he lost a yard or two of speed last season.
It depends where incoming coach Wayne Bennett wants to play Wighton, but if he pairs him with Walker it would not be a long-term halves combination for Souths beyond 2025.
Ilias reportedly sought permission from Souths to explore his options last season but will likely get back to playing some footy to drive up his asking price if he leaves.
If Dodd struggles in the NRL in 2025 and Ilias doesn’t improve his kicking game, the Rabbitohs would be wise to explore the opportunity of playing Trindall and Wighton in the halves when Walker hangs up the boots.
Trindall has all the required running and passing skills, but it is his kicking game that Souths desperately need after failing to adequately replace Adam Reynolds.
Until they get a noted kicker, Souths won’t return to the top of the NRL ladder and Trindall could form a devastating combination with Latrell Mitchell in the future.
It remains to be seen if Souths have the room in their salary cap after letting Damien Cook go, but if they can move on some players they would be well inclined to gauge Trindall’s interest in coming to Redfern.
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TITANS
Kieran Foran signed a contract extension in July for the 2025 season, and the veteran playmaker has refused to rule out that year will be his last in the NRL.
However, Foran’s body might prevent him from prolonging his career a further year, leaving the Titans without an obvious halfback replacement for the 2026 season.
Tom Weaver and Tanah the club’s only other halfback in the top 30, while Jayden Campbell, Carter Gordon and AJ Brimson would all be considered five-eighths and outside backs.
Boyd has been given permission to negotiate with rivals and has previously been offered to Super League clubs.
So Des Hasler will be desperately on the lookout for players to strengthen his halves, and Trindall could be the perfect man.
The Gold Coast have previously been linked with a move for veteran Ben Hunt, so it’s clear they are wanting a quality playmaker.
“I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters… have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year,” Andrew Johns said on a recent episode of WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth.
“That opens up the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.”
However, instead of Hunt, the Titans could make a play for Trindall if they are able to clear some salary cap space.
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