A continued look at the bedrocks of six more clubs’ must-grab signatures, see Part one here. A mixture of locally produced must-keeps and experienced essentials.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – Tolu Koula
The Situation: Contracted until 2031
The Rationale: Tolu Koula staying at Manly would lock in a dangerous outside back for the future, ensuring his freakish speed and skill remain a central part of their attacking structure. By remaining loyal, he can continue to grow within a stable system and transition into a genuine leader for the Sea Eagles
‘ backline. The combination of his speed, strength carrying the ball out of the backfield, and scoring strike rate represent an elite centre, who with the right service will cause all opponents headaches on a week-to-week basis. Ultimately, making Koula a one-club player ensures he is the explosive focal point of Manly’s future success.
Melbourne Storm – Harry Grant
The Situation: Contracted until 2028
The Rationale: While he famously spent a season on loan with the Wests Tigers in 2020, Harry Grant being a one-club player from here on out would continue Melbourne’s tradition of elite hookers. His leadership and game management are vital to the Storm’s success, serving as the engine room for one of the most clinical spines in the NRL. With an elite running game, excellent pass selection, and outstanding defence in the middle of the park, he possesses all the attributes that make him essential to Melbourne’s ongoing future. Fans already see him as a key figure in the club, and by remaining in the purple jersey, Grant could cement himself alongside the likes of Cameron Smith as a true Storm legend.
Newcastle Knights – Fletcher Sharpe
The Situation: Contracted until 2028
The Rationale: Fletcher Sharpe staying with Newcastle would provide essential long-term depth and immense potential within the club’s spine. With Dylan Brown signed long-term, locking in Sharpe would seal a dynamic halves partnership for the Knights with time for the partnership to flourish. An instinctive player who plays what is in front of him, an excellent mover with the ability to both run and ball-play, Sharpe is a complete footballer. Newcastle fans notoriously appreciate players who commit to the club long-term, and by securing his future at McDonald Jones Stadium
, Sharpe could become a foundational piece of the Knights’ future success.
North Queensland Cowboys – Jaxon Purdue
The Situation: Contracted until 2030
The Rationale: Jaxon Purdue staying with the Cowboys would give them an exciting long-term fullback with an exceptional running game coupled with ball-playing ability. His performances so far are testament to both his current ability and a glimpse into the potential superstar that he is touted to be. By remaining in Townsville, he can continue to develop in familiar surroundings and build confidence within a system he is familiar with and players that he has watched or played with as part of his progression. Fans love a player that is their own and would view Purdue as an excitement machine who could play a key role in future North Queensland success.
Parramatta Eels – Will Penisini
The Situation: Contracted until 2028
The Rationale: Will Penisini remaining at Parramatta would secure a premier, top-tier centre for the club for years to come. Currently 23 years of age and with over 100 NRL games, Penisini provides considerable experience in a backline in much need of stability both currently and moving into the future. His balanced defensive grit and elite attacking abilities are crucial to the Eels, providing a level of reliability that is difficult to find in the open market. Staying at the club allows him to transition into a leader in the backline, where he can mentor younger outside backs entering the first-grade system in the NRL
.
Penrith Panthers – Nathan Cleary
The Situation: Contracted until 2027
The Rationale: While the Prince of Penrith remains at the foot of the mountains, Penrith will continue to be in the Premiership equation. Having him driving leadership, standards, and hunger throughout rosters that will continue through the Panthers production lines would be a scary proposition for all other clubs in the NRL. He is a process-driven player who is continually seeking to grow; it would be a scary proposition for Penrith if that mentality continued playing for another team in the NRL. Coming into years that are associated with being the peak for halfbacks, locking him down for life will secure both his legacy as a future immortal and an ongoing dynasty for the club.
