With $5 billion floating around, the NRL player market has gone wild

August 16, 2026 — 5:00am

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Roosters half Sam Walker looks increasingly likely to go to the NRL open market on November 1.

So might champion Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, the bedrock of four premierships for the Panthers.

His co-captain Isaah Yeo looks like he’ll stay with the Panthers – thanks to teammate Brian To’o heading to the PNG Chiefs from 2028. To’o leaving opened the salary-cap door for Yeo to stay.

Bulldog Jacob Preston loves the club and wants to stay. But only for the right price. So he’s headed to the open market.

Hudson Young wants to see what the Chiefs can offer him. Or the Perth Bears. You can add him to the November 1 club, despite what the Raiders have thrown at him.

His teammate “Big Red” Corey “Hot Dog” Horsburgh, so much larger than life he needs not one but two nicknames, is off coach Ricky “Sticky” Stuart.

So he’ll end up at the Perth Bears. Unless, that is, he ends up somewhere else. No matter where he goes, it will probably be good for Red Dog (a third nickname) and Sticky. They can get out of each other’s faces before it ends badly.

Parramatta stalwart Junior Paulo........

© Brisbane Times