With superstar free agent Jarome Luai’s future expected to be settled in the coming days, the market for the remaining crop of elite playmakers is heating up.
The Tigers, Bulldogs and Panthers were vying for Luai’s signature and the three-time premiership winner has reportedly agreed to sign a five-year, $6 million deal to land in Leichhardt.
The 26-year-old took to Instagram to make it clear he hasn’t put pen to paper on any contract but The Daily Telegraph reported he informed coach Ivan Cleary and teammates he will depart next season.
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So with the hottest playmaking prospect now expected to be off the market, who’s left?
The Bulldogs are still in need of a partner for gun five-eighth Matt Burton, while Shane Flanagan is in the midst of a rebuild at the Dragons.
The Cowboys are also battling to retain their young No.6 who could field offers worth around $1 million and the Raiders could also do with a Jack Wighton replacement.
Tom Dearden is the biggest free agent that remains, but a handful of other playmakers are still without a contract for the 2025 season.
Here, foxsports.com.au breaks down the playmakers that still remain as free agents!
TOM DEARDEN
Tom Dearden could be set for a bumper payday once Luai’s contract is finalised.
The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the NRL’s best running five-eighths after the last two seasons at the Cowboys and even earnt a Queensland debut in 2022.
Dearden remains without a contract for 2025 and North Queensland officials have reportedly already tabled a three-year extension offer worth around $2 million.
However, due to the lack of elite playmakers on the market halves partner Chad Townsend is tipping the young gun to be the NRL’s next million dollar man.
“With Jarome potentially coming off the market, Tommy is next in line,” Townsend said to the SMH.
“Tommy knows how much I love him as a player, he’s got a lot of quality football in front of him, and if he doesn’t get that [$1 million a year] contract this time, he will next time because I know how hard he works.
“He earns every single dollar by the way he plays and the effort he puts out on the field.
“[As for myself] I’m taking it day by day and just want to focus on enjoying my footy. I’m open to everything.”
Dearden’s rise at the Cowboys also proves he can handle adversity, going through a tough period at the Broncos before being discarded by the Red Hill club.
He made a mid-season switch in 2021, signing a three-year deal which has proved the catalyst behind his stunning surge.
Flanagan has made no secret of his desires to lure Dearden to the Dragons after pulling out of the race to sign Luai.
The premiership-winning coach reportedly sees him as a potential partner for superstar halfback Ben Hunt, with Junior Amone’s playing future under a cloud.
ADAM REYNOLDS
Adam Reynolds is on the cusp of signing an extension to remain at the Broncos.
It will take a monumental offer for the experienced halfback to depart the Red Hill club, having led Kevin Walters side all the way to the grand final in 2023.
Reynolds is coming to the end of his career and his three-year deal with the Broncos expires at the end of 2024.
According to AAP, Reynolds is set to sign a one-year extension and rivals clubs are unlikely to swoop in with offers for any further years at the age of 33.
The former Rabbitohs playmaker has been instrumental in Brisbane’s resurgence over the last two seasons and still feels like he has more to offer the Broncos.
“I still feel like I have more to give. My body is feeling good. I feel like I am playing good enough football to go around again,” Reynolds said.
“I am enjoying the club and I love being around the boys. It is pretty simple.”
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KODI NIKORIMA
Kodi Nikorima enjoyed a solid season for the Dolphins in 2023.
He played in the halves, at fullback and off the bench under Wayne Bennett and ended up his preffered No.6 by the season’s end.
The 29-year-old is without a contract for the 2025 season and isn’t one of the bigger names on the market.
However, if his last season is anything to go by, Nikorima has a lot to offer prospective clubs should they be looking for a utility or a playmaker.
Nikorima has spent time at the Broncos, Warriors and Rabbitohs across his career which began in 2015 and it remains to be seen whether he will stay at the Dolphins.
He confirmed to the SMH he had begun talks to extend his contract, however he will face stiff competition from Sean O’Sullivan and young gun Isaiya Katoa for starting minutes in 2024.
KIERAN FORAN
Kieran Foran is without a contract for the 2025 season ahead of a new dawn at the Titans.
Des Hasler, who has got the best out of Foran in the past at the Sea Eagles, is in the midst of his first pre-season with the Gold Coast club.
Hasler knows how important and experienced playmaker is for any club and Foran could find form in 2024.
At the age of 33 it remains to be seen whether he will continue playing beyond 2024 and he battled with various injuries last season.
However, at his best Foran is a skilful playmaker and experience is incredibly hard to come by in the halves these days.
While other clubs may not be sniffing around for his services, the Titans could extend his contract to the end of 2025.
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TYSON GAMBLE
Tyson Gamble has a career-best season in 2023.
The former Bronco was a central figure in the Knights’ outrageous finals charge and Gamble’s gritty style was infection for the rest of the side.
The 27-year-old is without a contract for the 2025 season and now Adam O’Brien has some huge decisions to make.
With Jack Cogger, Jackson Hastings and now Englishmen Will Pryce on the books, two players will have to make way.
Gamble, on his form from last season, deserves to start in the No.6 jersey but could lose his position throughout the year.
Rival clubs could then swoop for his services and Gamble could be a good fit for the Dragons, with Flanagan hoping to inject some toughness into his side.
Gamble isn’t the right for the Bulldogs, who already have Matt Burton but would come at a cheaper price than most playmakers on this list.
LUKE METCALF
Luke Metcalf’s injury problems returned in 2023.
The 24-year-old suffered a hamstring injury at the start of the season before injuring the same muscle in his other leg to end his season prematurely.
Metcalf didn’t feature in the Warriors’ finals charge but showed in his 12 games he is a true talent.
Playing at five-eighth alongside experienced halfback Shaun Johnson, Metcalf scored six times and showcased his blistering speed.
However, his injury problems could put clubs off from making a big for his services and he is without a contract for the 2025 season.
If he can stay on the field next season and put together a string of strong performances, clubs will be circling.
However the Warriors will likely retain him with Johnson coming to the end of his career and making it clear he won’t be leaving New Zealand.
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