Who stays… and goes: The November 1 verdict on all NINE off-contract halfbacks

Fox Sports assessed the contract situations and future prospects of nine NRL halfbacks approaching the critical November 1 transfer deadline. High-profile stars facing crucial decisions include Sam Walker, who is set to exit the Sydney Roosters after contract negotiations collapsed, and Penrith Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary, who is expected to stay despite putting talks on hold following dual surgeries.

The analysis also projects moves for several other players, with Ben Hunt tipped to retire after 2027 and Jock Madden, Jonah Glover, Kyle Flanagan, and Lachlan Ilias expected to depart their respective clubs. Meanwhile, young prospects Matthew Humphries of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Mitchell Woods of the Canterbury Bulldogs are projected to remain in place.