Top 10 halves on open market, November 1, Ezra Mam, Broncos, Jarome Luai, Panthers, Tom Dearden, Cowboys, Shaun Johnson, Warriors

Top 10 halves on open market, November 1, Ezra Mam, Broncos, Jarome Luai, Panthers, Tom Dearden, Cowboys, Shaun Johnson, Warriors،

The focus has been on grand final five-eighths Jarome Luai and Ezra Mam, but several other star halves are heading to the open market on November 1.

Cowboys youngster Tom Dearden, who previously played for Queensland, is yet to sign a three-year, $2 million bid tabled by his club in August.

Eels playmaker Daejarn Asi made his Test debut for Samoa last Saturday, but at club level he is stuck behind Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.

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On the other side of 30, there’s Luke Keary who silenced his critics calling for medical retirement by playing every game in 2023.

Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds and Warriors star Shaun Johnson are unlikely to leave their respective clubs.

But they could receive offers too good to refuse, with Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry Evans proving playmakers can still be at the top of their game as they approach their 35th birthday.

Here are the top 10 halves that will hit the open market on November 1st.

Tom Dearden, Jarome Luai and Ezra Mam. GettySource: Getty Images

EZRMA MAM

Broncos number 6 Ezra Mam has had an incredible season in 2023 and was named in the Dally M Team of the Year ahead of fellow nominees Cameron Munster and Cody Walker.

And Mam did it as one of the lowest paid five-eighths in the NRL, earning just $250,000 a season, which could triple on the open market.

Brisbane’s superstar full-back Reece Walsh is also set to get an upgrade and there are real fears the club won’t have the space to keep them both.

But in a promising sign, Mam said earlier this month he wanted to stay with the Broncos who are understood to have tabled a long-term offer.

Brisbane’s rivals the Dolphins are circling, while several struggling Sydney clubs are likely to make a play for the 20-year-old star.

JAROME LUAI

The Panthers told Luai they couldn’t afford to pay him $800,000 per season because of salary cap pressure and agreed the point guard will test his value on the open market.

The Tigers and Raiders are in desperate need of an All-Star after losing Luke Brooks and Jack Wighton, respectively, and are reportedly willing to offer Luai well over $1 million.

This means that over the course of a long-term contract, Luai could leave $1 million on the table if he agrees to stay at the foothills where he has already won three premierships.

TOM DEARDEN

The Cowboys’ No.6 gun is North Queensland’s future and the club tabled a three-year, $2 million extension in August, but it has yet to be signed.

Dearden could command offers of up to $1 million on the open market due to a shortage of quality playmakers in the NRL.

“He’s only young, so we’d love to have him here for a few more years,” Cowboys general manager Michael Luck said.

“With a longer-term contract for a younger player, you want to make sure the deal is good for both the club and the player. Sometimes they take a little longer to implement. I hope he agrees to a deal and we can keep him here long term.

SHAUN JOHNSON

Who would have thought this time last year that veteran Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson would be one of the hottest names hitting the open market on November 1, 2023.

Johnson is in the best form of his career at the age of 33 and was only denied this year’s Dally M medal by one vote against Kalyn Ponga.

Considering Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, who turns 35 in February, shows no signs of slowing down, clubs will certainly be interested in Johnson for 2025, when he turns 35.

ADAM REYNOLDS

Adam Reynolds may not have done the job on the big final day, but he took the Broncos from ninth to second in the standings in the space of 12 months.

That should be more than enough to convince the club to extend their veteran halfback – and they have been in talks since September – despite some experts saying to wait and assess his form next year.

But if they let Reynolds hit the open market, they risk losing him to a club willing to extend his NRL career for a 14th season.

LUKE KEARY

There were fears Luke Keary would take early retirement after a series of concussions, but he has silenced the critics this year by playing every game for the Roosters.

Keary, who turns 32 in February, is keen to play beyond 2024 and will have no shortage of clubs ready to sign the three-time premiership winner.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson will take the lead, but with a young family to think about, Keary may have to offer his services to the highest bidder.

MATT MOYLAN

Sharks playmaker Matt Moylan has reinvented himself in 2022 under coach Craig Fitzgibbon to earn a two-year extension.

But he struggled defensively at times in 2023 and was ultimately left out of the 17s and the club is unlikely to be in a rush to extend him, especially with talented playmaker Braydon Trindall locked up until the end of 2025.

But it could open the door for a coach who thinks he can squeeze another season or two out of the veteran.

ANTHONY MILFORD

Anthony Milford has had a disappointing season with the Dolphins and appears to be headed for an early exit despite having one year remaining on his contract.

If Wayne Bennett can’t get Milford back to playing his best football, there is little hope for other NRL coaches.

Reports suggest Super League side Leigh Leopards are interested in signing the 29-year-old and the Dolphins will not stand in his way.

DEAJARN ASI

Daejarn Asi made his Test debut for Samoa against Australia last weekend, but at the Eels he is stuck behind Mitchell Moses.

Moses is signed until the end of 2028, meaning if Asi is offered a starting role at another club, he will likely grab it with both hands.

The 23-year-old failed to cement a starting spot during spells with the Cowboys, Warriors and Eels, but most halves don’t reach their straps until their late 20s.

TOBY SEXTON

Toby Sexton made a strong first impression at the Bulldogs after joining the Titans midway through the year.

The halfback contributed to wins over the Rabbitohs and Dolphins in three games, but finished the season with four consecutive defeats.

Sexton, 22, has 31 NRL appearances to his name and could be on the move again if the Dogs lose confidence in him at the start of next season.

HALVES TOWARDS THE OPEN MARKET

UNDER 30

Ezra Mom (20)

Toby Sexton (22)

Tom Dearden (22)

Daejarn Asi (23)

Jarroma Luai (26)

Kodi Nikorima (29)