Luke Metcalf and Jonah Pezet have decided their futures, but there is still no shortage of star playmakers coming off-contract in 2026 which should ensure a feeding frenzy in the halves market.
Halfback and five-eighth are two of the most important positions in rugby league and also two of the hardest spots to fill for some clubs amid a shortage of quality playmakers across the competition in terms of availability.
With most of the best playmakers signed to their clubs long-term, it is up to clubs to identify and develop the next big things and that involves taking a punt on players, some of which may not have established themselves in the NRL as yet.
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With the Perth Bears entering the competition in 2027 and free to start signing players from November 1, this years transfer deadline promises to be even more eventful, especially in a halves market that has 28 players off-contract this year and in 2026.
Read on for the NRL halves state of play ahead of the November 1 deadline.
The 19-year-old was considered the heir apparent to Adam Reynolds’ No.7 jersey, but the shock signing of Jonah Pezet from 2027 has thrown his Broncos future into doubt.
Black has scored seven tries and 22 goals in 21 games for Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup since his debut in 2024, but is yet to taste first grade at the Broncos.
Pezet will likely take over from Reynolds at halfback and partner Ezra Mam long-term, with Black now facing being forced out of the club.
The last promising half the Broncos let go was Tom Dearden, so the Cowboys could make them pay again.
But the Titans look like a team more in need to swoop in and poach Black to be their long-term halfback, but it still remains to be seen if he is the real deal until he proves it in the coming years.
With Reynolds now a chance of playing on in 2027, Black’s potential to feature for the Broncos has been cast into further doubt, meaning his chances of a move look to be growing.
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TANAH BOYD
The 25-year-old played just nine games in his first season at the Warriors after coming in for the injured Luke Metcalf at halfback late in the season.
Boyd has scored nine tries in 78 NRL games for the Titans and Warriors since his debut in 2019, but he has failed to cement himself as a consistent NRL halfback at the top level.
However, Boyd came up big in the Warriors’ charge to the NSW Cup title last season and he still has time on his side to realise his potential as an NRL playmaker.
But the Warriors have invested in Metcalf to be their long-term halfback, so Boyd may look to expansion side like the Bears for a chance to get an extended run at No.7.
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JAKE CLIFFORD
The 27-year-old scored five tries in 14 games for the Cowboys last season, but was replaced at halfback by Tom Dearden, with he and Jaxson Purdue earmarked as the club’s long-term halves pairing.
Clifford has scored 17 tries and 76 goals in 89 NRL games for the Cowboys and Knights since his debut in 2018 and five tries and 54 goals in one season with Hull FC in the Super League.
The versatile playmaker can cover both five-eighth and halfback, but it is fair to say he hasn’t quite nailed either position to become a consistent NRL playmaker as yet.
However, Clifford is entering the prime years for NRL halves and given the lack of quality playmakers available in the NRL, the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs may look to sign him in the coming seasons if the Cowboys don’t lock him up.
TOM DUFFY
The 22-year-old was considered a long-term prospect for the Cowboys after playing six games in his rookie season in 2025.
However, the club has moved skipper Tom Dearden to halfback and want to pair him with Jaxson Purdue in the halves long-term, which has seen Duffy switch to the Broncos in 2026.
It remains to be seen how much NRL action Duffy will see next year, unless Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt get injured, with Coby Black also pushing for an NRL debut.
However, with 12 tries and 189 goals in Queensland Cup, Duffy is highly regarded and is young enough to become an excellent NRL playmaker with the Titans or the Bears a potential landing spot in the future, given the Broncos have invested heavily in Jonah Pezet and Ezra Mam long-term.
CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA
The 26-year-old scored eight tries in 24 games for the Warriors last season after cementing himself as their first choice five-eighth alongside Luke Metcalf at halfback
Harris-Tavita has scored 19 tries and 63 goals in 95 games for the Warriors since his debut in 2019, while scoring five tries in nine Tests for Samoa.
Metcalf has re-signed until the end of the 2028 season and the Warriors will be keen to lock in his halves partner, but it remains to be seen if they view Harris-Tavita as that man.
The club have shown their hand that Harris-Tavita is ahead of Te Maire Martin in the pecking order, so you would expect he would be re-signed, but if they are on the lookout for a new five-eighth, the international star could be picked up by an NRL rival.
LACHLAN ILIAS
The 25-year-old has had a tough couple of years after playing just two games for Souths in 2024 before being dropped and breaking his leg and then just seven games in his first season at the Dragons before being dropped.
Ilias is reportedly set to be released from the final year of his contract in 2026 to join the Gold Coast Titans for his third club in three seasons, but no deal has been finalised as yet.
With 10 tries in 60 NRL games and a preliminary final appearance to his name, Ilias has the potential to be a consistent NRL playmaker, but his opportunities have dried up in the last two seasons.
However, if Josh Hannay can get the best out of him, the Titans desperately need a halfback, which would allow Jayden Campbell to shift to five-eighth which is more suited to his running game and Ilias can be the organiser at halfback.
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KODI NIKORIMA
Kodi Nikorima has forged a strong partnership with young gun Isaiya Katoa in recent years, being Kristian Woolf’s first choice No.6.
However, the Dolphins move to recruit English veteran George Williams in 2027 has cast doubt on his future, with his current contract expiring at the end of the 2026 season.
Regardless, Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader told the Brisbane Times Nikorima was a part of the club’s plans moving forward, despite currently being 31 years of age.
“Absolutely, he’s a vital member of the squad and can play a number of different positions, and he’s been with us since day one,” Reader said.
“There is a lot of talk, and we’ve got some spots left in 2027, so we’ll be talking to a number of players.”
Nikorima still has a lot to give in the NRL if his recent form is anything to go by, and even a spot as a bench utility could be his role once Williams arrives.
However, Nikorima could also move to yet another new franchise in the Perth Bears, as an experienced option in the halves under Mal Meninga.
JAXSON PURDUE
Jaxon Purdue played eight games in the halves this year, and the rest in the centres for the Cowboys.
However, the 20-year-old’s long-term future likely lies at five-eighth or fullback, with the centre position being a slot he has filled in impressive fashion since debuting last season.
Purdue is set to hit the open market, and his manager Sam Ayoub told Code Sports that move does not mean he is definitely leaving the Cowboys.
“This talk about November 1 is magnified. It doesn’t mean he’s leaving. “I’m sure the Cowboys will show enough interest to ensure he stays there,” he said.
As for his position moving forward, Ayoub believed he could be a “potentially outstanding fullback” but Purdue reportedly harbours a desire to play in the halves.
The Cowboys have tabled a contract extension beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2026 season.
But it’s fair to say a talent like Purdue will have no shortage of suitors, given the fact clubs could build around him for the next 10 years.
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NIWHAI PURU
Niwhai Puru was handed a one-year extension by the Sharks for the 2026 season in May, meaning he will hit the open market come November 1.
The 23-year-old is yet to make his NRL debut, but has shown his talent in reserve grade, helping the Jets to a premiership in 2024.
This season, Newtown were unable to progress beyond the first week of finals, and Puru featured 24 times.
He also won the Jets’ Best and Fairest Award this year, and his form could see rivals come knocking, however it remains to be seen which clubs could be interested in his services.
ADAM REYNOLDS
Adam Reynolds will hit the open market come November 1 and it was previously understood he would hang up the boots at the end of the 2026 season.
He was handed a one-year extension to prolong his NRL career, but has since declared he could play on.
“I still haven’t come to terms or come to an agreement where I am going to finish up, I don’t know,” Reynolds said to Fox Sports News.
“If I am playing good football next year and I’m fit and healthy and enjoying myself, I don’t see a reason to end that.”
Reynolds comments could see him hit the open market with renewed interest, considering there’s now a very real possibility he will sign another NRL contract.
The Perth Bears could be the perfect club to sign the 35-year-old for a single season in a mentoring role, should they also be able to secure some rising talent.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have previously been interested in his services and were hopeful of recruiting him to partner Jarome Luai.
Regardless of where he lands, Reynolds declaring he could play on will have clubs circling.
BRAD SCHNEIDER
The 24-year-old has left the Panthers after two seasons to link with the Dolphins on a one year deal in 2026, but will be a free agent beyond that.
Schneider was a handy back-up to Nathan Cleary, playing 32 games in two season at Penrith and also played dummy-half at times, but its clear he wants a full-time spot in the halves in the NRL.
With the Dolphins boasting a settled halves pairing of Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima, with George Williams joining the club, Schneider may have to put himself in the shop window again in 2026 to ink a long-term deal elsewhere in 2027 and beyond.
The Bears come into the NRL in 2027, which could see Schneider get the chance to push for a full-time starting spot at the NRL’s newest club.
RONALD VOLKMAN
The 23-year-old played two games for the Eels in 2025, after being given a lifeline by the club following his Dragons deal falling over after a long-term injury.
Volkman started his career at the Roosters and has scored one try in seven NRL games for the Warriors and Eels since his debut in 2022.
A solid halfback, Volkman has a strong kicking game and can be a strong depth option in the halves for a club looking to shore up their playmaker stocks, if the Eels don’t re-sign him beyond his current deal.
Volkman needs to get more opportunities in first grade to show what he has got at that level, but behind Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet in 2026, those opportunities may be slim unless injuries strike.
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TYRAN WISHART
The Storm utility will be sure to garner plenty of interest in the coming weeks.
Wishart is going to test his worth and is a real chance of departing the Storm in order to look for starting opportunities elsewhere.
Wishart has been the Storm’s Mr. Fix It over the past couple of seasons and has filled in at hooker, halfback, five-eighth, lock and even on the wing.
However, his preference is to play in the halves and with Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes at the club, he won’t get the chance to do that in Melbourne regularly unless injuries strike.
Clubs that could show interest in Wishart include the Dragons, Titans and the Cowboys.
The Cowboys were reportedly in the running for Jonah Pezet, but missed out, so they may look to turn their attention to Wishart to create a lethal attacking halves partnership alongside Tom Dearden.
JAYDEN CAMPBELL
The most exciting player on this list is the Titans livewire.
Originally a fullback, he didn’t start his career in the halves, but given the Gold Coast are loaded with quality fullbacks who couldn’t all wear the No. 1, Campbell made the move to five-eighth midway through the 2024 season.
He shifted to the main playmaking role this season and played the entire 2025 campaign in the No.7 jersey.
Is he the finished product? No, but he steadily improved his craft with each game and has the potential to become a very good playmaker in this league.
His athleticism and running game are his best qualities, so there is a chance another team wants to sign him as a fullback, but given the strong state of that position around the league, that’s unlikely.
The Titans are the favourites to re-sign him, having reportedly offered a five-year, $4.5 million extension, but there will be no shortage of interest in him.
The Perth Bears are very keen on speaking with Campbell, and given they essentially have a blank chequebook, a huge-money offer to star for a brand new team may be too hard to refuse for the 25-year-old.
JACK COLE
Jack Cole won the Panthers’ No.6 jersey to start the 2025 season under Ivan Cleary, but it didn’t take long for him to slip under Blaize Talagi in the pecking order.
Cole also sat behind Brad Schneider, who has since departed, which could open a bench utility spot for the 22-year-old to take.
The 2026 season shapes as a big one for the promising star, who has the ability to play in the halves and also at centre.
Should he prove his worth as a No.14 for the Panthers, there’s a strong chance he is retained but he could equally look elsewhere for regular starting minutes.
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TYSON GAMBLE
The career of Gamble is in limbo.
Over the past two seasons, the Knights played a constant game of musical chairs when it came to their halves.
Gamble had more than enough chances to impress at both five-eighth and halfback, but save for a couple of decent performances here and there, he didn’t exactly take his opportunities with both hands.
With a new coach (Justin Holbrook) in town at Newcastle, the upcoming pre-season shapes up as an important one for Gamble.
TE MAIRE MARTIN
The Warriors have locked down their halfback for the next few years, with Luke Metcalf being taken off this list last week when his two-year extension with the club was made official.
Now, the Warriors have to decide who will partner Metcalf in the halves.
With Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita both hitting free agency on November 1, you’d think the club will have to pick one or the other.
Harris-Tavita has the most upside of the two and played the entire season in the No.6 jersey, helping the Warriors to a spot in the top eight, so he’s likely to be retained.
Martin is a journeyman and is proven in several different systems. That could be appealing for a team looking for halves depth or stop gap option at halfback or five-eighth for 2027 and beyond.
Of course, what the Warriors decide to do with Martin and Harris-Tavita will depend on this season and what other teams are interested in the pair.
TRENT TOELAU
The 25-year-old Panthers halfback had limited opportunities in 2025 with just two games, as Brad Schneider surged past him in the playmaker pecking order.
However, it is easy to forget Toelau played 12 matches in his rookie season in 2024 as the Panthers surged to a fourth straight title.
The late bloomer has scored 13 tries and 24 goals in 53 games for Penrith in the NSW Cup and would arguably have played a lot more first grade were he at a different club.
With Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi set to be Penrith’s long-term halves pairing, Toelau may have to leave to get more opportunities at an NRL rival, with the Eels or the Warriors potential landing spots.
CODY WALKER
He was plagued by injuries this year, but still signed a one-year extension with the Bunnies in September.
While he only played in 11 games in 2025, Walker’s best form when he’s healthy is dangerous.
He’s still a viable attacking threat near the line, so the move to re-sign him doesn’t have any downside as he’ll provide an invaluable leadership presence to the team’s young players.
Hopefully for Souths, Walker will be able to stay on the field next year where he’ll likely partner Jamie Humphreys or the promising Jonah Glover in the halves.
Given his age and recent injury history, he won’t receive any interest on the open market once November 1 hits and there’s a very real chance 2026 will be Walker’s swan song.
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