Five NRL Marquee Players to Test the Market On November 1

With the 2022 season not far away, there are unfortunately a lot of highly motivated and determined players who are willing to commit to other clubs.

That’s even if the team they are committed to for 2021 cannot produce what they believe they is the best offer before going off-contract at the end of 2022.

These are the five huge players who are essential to any team if they are looking to increase their rugby league persona, or build/re-build an already well-driven team: the ‘fab five’ that are willing to go that extra mile and sign away with the faith that these experienced players will get the job done.

Viliame Kikau

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It would almost be unrealistic if the mountain men were able to contain the steamrolling Fijian backrower on the edge of the ruck. ‘Billy’s’ contract finishes at the end of season next year and in all honesty it doesn’t seem like Penrith will be able to re-sign this bulldozer within the restrictions of their salary cap. Given all the young talent coming through the ranks, Kikau might be forced to look elsewhere.

Josh Mansour

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Off-contract at Souths and despite being 31, ‘the Sauce’ still has quite an incredible amount to offer if other potential clubs were to challenge for his signature.

His style of footy (being an old-school winger) is almost instrumental to a team’s success: he has had a lot of setbacks with injury but he still has two to three years left to finish with a premiership ring, while also flourishing late in his career.

Christian Welch

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At 27, Welch is looked at as the veteran for his experience at the Melbourne Storm, and you can tell the younger forwards at Australia’s garden city look up to him in reference to guidance.

This absolute leader is a force to be reckoned with; he is going to be an even bigger player than what he is now in the years to come.

With recent Origin experience proving that his defence is crucial, the Brisbane Eastern Suburbs junior will be hoping to secure a lifelong contract with his beloved Storm, but salary cap issues loom on Melbourne at all times and they won’t want a piece of history repeating itself.

Jarrod Wallace

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Jarrod Wallace will be one of the marquee signings, particularly heading into the last few years of his playing career and with his contract ending next season.

The 30-year-old Wallace will be itching ever so close to that distant premiership ring he has been chasing for quite some time, which is unlikely to happen at the Titans despite their success under Justin Holbrook.

The man they call ‘Craig’s Son’ (in reference to proud dad Craig on the Gold Coast), with his experience and extremely strong demeanour in both the Origin arena and the NRL stage, is one of the elite forwards to be signing for 2023 and beyond.

Angus Crichton

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The boy from Temora has a relentless defensive record, powerful line running, and a sense of leadership about him, making him joint company in the likes of these superstars.

The Sydney Roosters obviously do not want to lose one of their hardest-working back-rowers, however the likes of players on big deals in the Eastern Suburbs might suggest he will have many other New South Wales-based clubs after his signature.

At only 26, and with plenty of experience under his belt (some suggested he’s a late bloomer), I firmly stand on my choice that he is part of the five players to watch.