fanatix looks at who is yet to put pen to paper and what it could mean for the club.
The NRL season might have five weeks left before the finals, but for some club, the season is as a good as over.
Teams such as Parramatta, Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra, North Queensland and Brisbane will be on the outside looking in come the post-season.
With that in mind, fanatix looks at who is off-contract for each NRL club and what their re-singing or departure means for the future.
Who is off-contract at the end of 2013?
KNIGHTS
Zane Tetevano, Matt Hilder, Chris Adams, Neville Costigan, Timana Tahu, Siuatonga Likiliki, Peter Mata’utia, Anthony Quinn, Ryan Stig, Josh Mantellato, Craig Gower.
fanatix says: While there are plenty of names on the list, the only ones that matter going forward for the Knights at Neville Costigan, Timana Tahu, Siuatonga Likiliki, Craig Gower and Ryan Stig.
Costigan made the big move from St George to the Knights, but has been plagued by injuries in his time in the Hunter.
Tahu has also failed to make the impact most would have liked to have seen from him after he cam eback to the code from rugby union.
Likiliki is a player of the future of the club can wait for his game to mature, the same can be said for Ryan Stig, who might struggle to maintain his place with the emergence of Tyrone Roberts as a star on the rise.
While much was made of Craig Gower’s return to the NRL, he has failed to make the impact required and might be dumped so that the club does not have too many older players on its roster for 2014 onwards.
COWBOYS
Anthony Mitchell, Antonio Winterstein, Clint Greenshields, Scott Bolton, Blake Leary
fanatix says: Despite being disappointing this season the Cowboys woes are not entirely down to a lack of talent on the roster.
As a result most of the unsigned talent should be retained for the club if they can reach an agreement on money and terms.
Bolton and Winterstein should be the first two snapped up, or they will risk being picked off by clubs with cap room looking to rebuild.
PANTHERS
Nathan Smith, Ryan Simpkins, Cameron Ciraldo, Geoff Daniela, Danny Galea, Clint Newton, Travis Robinson
fanatix says: Much will depend on where the clubs sees itself in the next season to three, as they look to try and become a regular in the finals.
All of the name on the unsigned list for the Panthers are solid first grade players, but none posses the star ability that will be needed to lift the club back to its former heights.
DRAGONS
Bronx Goodwin, Matt Cooper, Junior Vaivai, Leeson Ah Mau, Nathan Fien, Will Matthews, Matt Prior, Chase Stanley, Charly Runciman
fanatix says: The Dragons will be forced to let go of a host of players to accommodate star signings Gareth Widdop, Josh Dugan and Sam Williams.
Players set to be released include first graders Leeson Ah Mau, Nathan Fien, Will Matthews, Matt Prior and Chase Stanley.
Cooper will be the most high profile casualty not due to being released but being forced to retire with injury, with his torn pectoral to end his frustrating season.
RABBITOHS
Shaun Corrigan, Matt King, Michael Crocker, Andrew Everingham.
fanatix says: Thee first three names on the list could be gone with Corrigan, King and Croker not playing the biggest role in the Bunnies impressive season to date.
While they all offer plenty in terms of having a deep squad, the money used by them in the salary cap could be spent in better places.
Everingham would be the midst of hammering out a new deal with the Rabbitohs after he has been one of the form wingers over the past two seasons.
EELS
Ben Roberts, Matt Keating, Taniela Lasalo, Willie Tonga, Nathan Smith, Jake Mullaney, Pat O’Hanlon, Api Pewhairangi, Brayden Williame, Cheyse Blair, Vai Toutai
fanatix says: Parramatta fans can expect carnage here. With the likes of Will Hopoate, Josh Hoffman, and their English stars Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock, room will have to be made.
fanatix beleives if Ben Roberts is re-signed then Eels coach Ricky Stuart must have his sanity checked, while Willie Tonga is the likely biggest name to feel the axe, after his move from the Cowboys backfired with poor form and a slew of injuries.
TIGERS
Marika Koriobete, Matt Groat, Joel Reddy, Matt Utai, Lote Tuqiri, Sean Meaney, Matt Bell, Masada Iosefa.
fanatix says: Much like the Eels the Wests Tigers will need to let some of their deadwood go if they want to have a fresh start in 2014.
Koriobete has shown plenty of promise in his short time in the side, but his injury woes will be of a concern to his long-term potential.
Matt Groat has not kicked on after making his debut last season, and has spent most of this season in the NSW Cup.
Joel Reddy and Matt Utai have provided handy back-up over the past two seasons but, on a week-to-week basis, are not up the standard needed for the Tigers to get back to the top.
Tuqiri has been barely sighted in a Tigers jersey in the past two seasons, and his contract negotiations will be a real test for the Tigers to see how serious they are about starting afresh.
SHARKS
Nathan Gardner, John Morris, Ben Pomeroy, Ben Ross, Jon Green, Stewart Mills, Mark Taufua, Matt Wright, Nathan Stapleton
fanatix says: Other teams in the competition must be watching this list of players carefully to see who they might be able to pick up on the rebound.
All of the players on the Sharks yet to sign list have played first grade over the past two seasons, with the biggest profile names, Ben Ross, and Ben Pomeroy, likely to attract the most attention if they slip through the cracks at Cronulla.
ROOSTERS
Anthony Minichiello, Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Bosden, Nafe Seluini
fanatix says: Sonny Bill Williams is abut certain to ink a new deal at Bondi, but the length of it will be interesting to gauge an insight into how serious he is about staying with the NRL and rugby league.
Anthony Minichiello should also be staying, however, fanatix beleives it would not be anymore than a two-year deal for the veteran, possible a one-year contract with an option of a second if his mind and body are ready to go around again.
WARRIORS
Nathan Friend, Steve Rapira, Jerome Ropati
fanatix says: The late season surge by the Warriors shows they can compete with most sides in the NRL when they put it together.
As a result no many changes will be made, however, the injury concerns for Jerome Ropati will need to be addressed if he is to have any chance of securing a long-term deal.
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