The Papua New Guinea Chiefs have declared they will pursue a marquee halfback in a bid to reach the finals in their inaugural NRL season, as the free-agency period opens with the franchise armed with tax-free dollars and a roster already including Jarome Luai and Joey Manu.
November 1 marks the start of what is expected to be the most frenetic trade window in NRL history, with Penrith's Nathan Cleary topping the list of players available and 11 Kangaroos also able to field offers from rivals. The Chiefs have already secured Luai, Manu, Connor Watson, Brian To'o, Zac Lomax, Alex Johnston and Matty Lees for their roster, but general manager of football Michael Chammas said the club now needs an elite halfback and forwards.
"We want to get a marquee No.7 because we want to be in a position where we can compete for finals from year one," Chammas said. "History will show that if you don't have an elite No.7, you will struggle to do that, to at least be competing at the back end of the year."
The Chiefs have also tabled a four-year, $3 million deal for Titans forward Cooper Bai, who was given permission to negotiate by his club. Bai's father, Melbourne Storm legend Marcus, sits on the PNG Chiefs board and said he would be prepared to step down if negotiations with his son were deemed a conflict of interest. Chammas said the country adores Bai, recalling a game when he heard a roar and was told Bai had taken his first hit-up in the country.
“I saw how much he means to the people. It's a decision for him to make, but we want him to be part of it,” Chammas said. Hudson Young will be a player of interest if he can be secured at the right price.
Chammas acknowledged the balancing act of managing the cap, which is unknown for 2028. "We need a seven and we need to complete the spine. Then we need to focus on the forward pack," he said. "We'll do the best we can with it and make the right decisions on the players we believe will fit what we're trying to build."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Chiefs' recruitment will determine whether a newly admitted NRL franchise can be competitive from its first season, setting a precedent for future expansion teams.
- Tax-free salary advantages give the PNG team a unique edge in the player market, potentially reshaping the league's competitive balance and player movement patterns.
- The outcome of halfback negotiations, particularly with Nathan Cleary, will be a key indicator of the club's ability to attract elite talent.
Background
The PNG Chiefs are a new NRL team preparing for their inaugural season after being granted a license as part of the league's expansion into Papua New Guinea. They entered their first free-agency period having already signed several high-profile players through early negotiations and poaching from rugby union. The club benefits from tax-free contracts, a significant draw for players.
What to Watch
- Whether Nathan Cleary or Sam Walker commits to the Chiefs, as a marquee halfback is central to the club's finals ambitions.
- Cooper Bai's decision and whether Marcus Bai's board position affects the negotiation.
- How the forward pack takes shape over the next few months, with November 1 unlocking access to more forwards.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe PNG Chiefs have declared they will pursue a marquee halfback.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The PNG Chiefs have declared that they will chase a marquee No.7 in a bid to reach the finals in its inaugural season”
- SupportedThe free-agency period starts on November 1, with the Chiefs armed with tax-free dollars.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “November 1 marks the beginning of what is expected to be the most frenetic trade window in NRL history.”
- SupportedThe Chiefs aim to compete for finals in their first season.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The PNG Chiefs have declared that they will chase a marquee No.7 in a bid to reach the finals in its inaugural season”
- SupportedNathan Cleary and Sam Walker are potential Chiefs targets.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “One of the Chiefs’ potential targets, Zane Harrison, has recommitted to the Gold Coast, leaving Cleary and Walker as obvious targets to partner Luai.”
- Partly supportedNathan Cleary tops the list of players available.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Penrith maestro Nathan Cleary tops that list and has yet to determine his future beyond next year. He is not alone with 11 Kangaroos ... also able to field offers from rivals.”
- SupportedEleven Kangaroos can field offers from rival clubs.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “He is not alone with 11 Kangaroos – Jack Bostock, Bradman Best, Sam Walker, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, James Tedesco, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and David Fifita – also able to field offers from rivals.”
- SupportedThe Chiefs have secured Jarome Luai, Joey Manu, Connor Watson, Brian To’o, Zac Lomax, Alex Johnston and Matty Lees.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Chiefs have already made a start on their roster, securing Jarome Luai, Joey Manu, Connor Watson, Brian To’o, Zac Lomax, Alex Johnston and Matty Lees before even reaching their first free-agency period.”
- SupportedMichael Chammas said the Chiefs want a marquee No.7 to compete for finals from year one.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““We want to get a marquee No.7 because we want to be in a position where we can compete for finals from year one,” Chiefs general manager of football Michael Chammas said.”
- SupportedChammas said teams without an elite No.7 would struggle to compete late in the year.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““History will show that if you don’t have an elite No.7, you will struggle to do that, to at least be competing at the back end of the year.”
- SupportedThe Chiefs tabled a four-year, $3 million offer for Cooper Bai, who was given permission by the Titans to negotiate.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The club has also tabled a four-year, $3 million deal for promising Titans forward Cooper Bai, who was given permission to negotiate by his club”
- SupportedMarcus Bai sits on the PNG Chiefs board and said he would step down if negotiations with his son were deemed a conflict of interest.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Bai’s father, Melbourne Storm legend Marcus, sits on the PNG Chiefs board. Bai senior said he would be prepared to step down from the position if negotiations with his son were deemed a conflict of interest.”
- SupportedChammas recalled hearing a roar when Cooper Bai took his first hit-up in the country.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““I remember turning to [former NRL CEO] Andrew Abdo at the time and saying ‘What just happened?’ “He said to me that Cooper Bai took his first hit-up in the country, that’s all it was.”