CRONULLA SHARKS — 12 off-contract players
Off-contract: Jayden Berrell, Wade Graham, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Matt Ikuvalu, Sione Katoa, William Kennedy, Lachlan Miller, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai, Braydon Trindall, Teig Wilton
Biggest flight risk: Lachlan Miller.
The former Rugby Sevens star showed he has the talent to compete in the NRL last season, featuring in seven games. The 28-year-old scored a stunning try on debut against the Titans, but later fell behind young gun Kade Dykes in the fullback pecking order. With Will Kennedy the club’s first choice No.1, Miller may need to look for an exit.
Biggest pay rise: Siosifa Talakai.
The 25-year-old bulldozing centre had a breakout year and was one of the competition’s best backs, earning a NSW Blues debut in the process. Talakai is set for a significant payrise with his current contract sitting at $300,000 according to The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield. Rival clubs will be circling the dynamic ball runner and the Sharks have a salary cap headache on their hands.
Almost locked in: Siosifa Talakai.
According to The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read, Cronulla have been negotiating a new deal with Talakai’s management for “ages”. “The Sharks have been talking to him ages about trying to get a new deal done, they put it off during Origin but they’ve ramped them up again” Read said in August. Talakai is yet to re-sign with the Sharks but the club will be desperate to get a deal done.