Castleford Tigers – Mitch Clark
The Tigers’ off-contract list consists predominantly of their younger talent, Matt Cook excluded.
However, Clark’s retention is arguably the most important of all.
By the time 2020 starts, Grant Millington, Junior Moors and Cook will all be 33-years-old.
Eventually, the Tigers will have to move on and replace the trio. Recent performances suggest Clark can be the man to help them do just that.
Recently turned 26, Clark has his best years coming up. The Tigers will want Clark to spend them at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Catalans Dragons – Tony Gigot
There’s no real reason to go in depth as to why Les Dracs need to keep this man.
Gigot is one of their star players and attracted interested from the NRL after his excellent displays last season.
A Lance Todd Trophy winner last year, Catalans can’t afford to lose him. Simple as that.
Huddersfield Giants – Michael Lawrence
There aren’t many players who celebrate a testimonial at 28-years-old.
But it goes to show just how important Lawrence has been to the Giants.
The forward is Huddersfield through and through and has made over 250 appearances for the club already.
Often unnoticed, Lawrence certainly isn’t unappreciated by his team-mates. He’s an important player on the field and an integral cog off it.
Hull FC – Bureta Faraimo
With a staggering 16 players off-contract at the end of the year, there were plenty of Hull FC players to pick from.
But perhaps the most important is the USA international winger.
The Black and Whites were always going to struggle in their attempts to replace Mahe Fonua, but Faraimo has done a decent job.
22 tries in 38 appearances is a steady return while his work in back play doesn’t go unnoticed.
Freakishly strong, Faraimo is one player Lee Radford will surely be looking to keep.
Hull KR – Chris Atkin
There’s a real possibility that Hull KR could be looking for three new halfbacks next season.
Danny McGuire is retiring while Josh Drinkwater and Atkin are both off-contract too.
But while Drinkwater is higher up the pecking order than Atkin, it’s the former Swinton star that the Robins need to keep the most.
His versatility is crucial and the Robins get good value for money on his salary cap worth.
Entering his prime, Atkin has the potential to be a long-term answer to for Hull KR in the pivots.
Leeds Rhinos – Brad Dwyer
Of the players in Leeds’ underwhelming side this season, Brad Dwyer is one of the players who can hold his head high.
There was, of course, THAT drop goal against Castleford. But even in defeats, he has been one of the players that has had a real dig in all of their games.
Dwyer is lively around the ruck and when the Leeds pack has dominated.
Hookers aren’t the easiest players to come by and with Matt Parcell off-contract too, trying to replace two is problematic.
Currently, you’d suggest keeping Dwyer would be a bigger priority.
London Bronc0s – Alex Walker
Genuinely, there are a number of players that London really need to keep heading into 2019. Luke Yates has been the backbone in London’s pack while Jordan Abdull has guided them around the pitch wonderfully.
But speaking to officials at other clubs, it is Alex Walker’s name that seems to be brought up the most.
The homegrown fullback has thoroughly impressed on the Super League platform and earned plenty of admirers.
Still only 23, the Scotland international has a bright future ahead of him in the game.
London need to make sure it’s with them, as other clubs will happily take him if the Broncos are unable to.
Salford Red Devils – Jackson Hastings
He is Salford’s star player, a positive PR machine off the pitch and an all-round class act.
There is no club in Super League who can afford to lose someone who makes such an impact, and Salford are no different.
Finding halfbacks is a thankless task for clubs at the best of times; only now do Warrington appear to have replaced Lee Briers, who retired over five years ago.
Hastings, along with Rob Lui, has turned Salford around. It would be a mighty blow if he departed.
St Helens – Theo Fages
Fages has vindicated Justin Holbrook’s decision to select him over Danny Richardson in the early knockings of 2019.
The Frenchman has been in superb form, with his short passing game and defensive toughness helping Saints become far more rounded than they were in 2019.
Fages has attracted NRL interest already and other Super League clubs are most certainly keeping tabs on his future too.
He’d be a massive loss to Saints at this stage.
Wakefield Trinity – David Fifita
Chris Chester recently claimed he was the best prop in Super League.
There are few others who could argue they deserve that crown, but Fifita’s destructive displays this season suggest he has every right to be in that category too.
But with that comes interest, interest Wakefield will only be too aware of.
Every club in Super League would be lining up for Fifita if he was available. Wakefield have three weeks to ensure that threat doesn’t become a reality, as other clubs will be free to speak to him come May 1st.
Warrington Wolves – Bryson Goodwin
One of the most underrated signings of recent times, Bryson Goodwin has been a very good pick up by the Wolves since his move late last year.
Goodwin is reliable and a steady pair of hands, although that probably does a disservice to his overall quality.
He scored 150 points for the Wolves in his maiden season and made plenty of good contributions elsewhere.
With Ryan Atkins’ future also unclear, the Wolves could be needing a new centre next year anyway. Keeping Goodwin should be their first priority, however.
Wigan Warriors – Sean O’Loughlin
For the past few years, Sean O’Loughlin has been linked with moves away from Wigan, only to stay at the club.
Heading towards the end of his latest one-year deal, Wigan need him more than ever.
Yes, he’s a massive influence on the field. But it’s off-field issues that are currently the Warriors’ biggest problem.
There are questions being asked of Wigan’s culture in light of the recent issues with some of their players.
So to lose their long-serving club captain and Mr Wigan Warriors himself would be nothing short of a disaster.