‘Blindsided’: Kangaroos star’s honest admission as NRL braces for wild contract frenzy

Australian Kangaroos forward Liam Martin admitted players were left blindsided by Hudson Young rejecting a lucrative Canberra Raiders contract offer amid looming November 1 free agency. The Roosters and Raiders both withdrew major contract offers for Sam Walker and Young respectively, sparking banter within Australia's World Cup camp. Martin, who also faces an uncertain contract future with the Penrith Panthers, acknowledged the situation will lead to an intense few weeks across the NRL.

While Martin expressed a strong desire to sign a contract extension with Penrith alongside teammates Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, rival clubs are expected to circle. Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant is attracting significant reported interest from the Gold Coast Titans ahead of his November 1 contract deadline. Both Martin and Grant maintained that the Kangaroos squad remains fully focused on their ongoing World Cup campaign despite the outside contract distractions.