BRAYDON TRINDALL
The Sharks five-eighth is arguably set to be the most sought after playmaker to hit the open market on November 1.
The 25-year-old is coming off a breakout year that saw him score 12 tries and 20 try assists in 20 games for the Sharks and has revealed he will test his value on the open market.
Trindall usurped Nicho Hynes as the Sharks’ chief playmaker, with Hynes reportedly set to be shifted to five-eighth or fullback next season.
However, the Sharks will have to break the bank to hold onto Trindall, who is on a reported $350,000 next season and could command at least double that on the open market, with some experts suggesting he is worth $900,000 to the right club.
There are no shortage of clubs looking to sign a chief playmaker with a void of quality halfbacks in the NRL, so if the Sharks want to keep him they will have to come up with a big upgraded extension offer and fast.
As for the clubs who could make a play for his services, the top of the list could be the Dragons with Ben Hunt’s contract situation at a stalemate.
Outside of Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkan King-Togia, Shane Flanagan doesn’t have a lot of halves depth at his disposal for 2025 and it could only weaken ahead of their 2026 campaign.
Elsewhere, the Bulldogs are always in the market for talent and could see Trindall as a perfect man to partner Matt Burton.
The Cowboys could also make a play to recruit Trindall should Todd Payten want to sure up his halves depth and potentially replace Jake Clifford, with Chad Townsend also leaving.