Bostock: Sydney return not set in stone as NRL clubs can negotiate from 2028

Bostock stepped into the spotlight to set the record straight: the much‑talked‑about Sydney return is not set in stone.

At the same time, he confirmed a new free‑agency window that allows NRL clubs to negotiate with rival clubs about player deals as early as 2028.

The announcement turns the league’s negotiation landscape into something as slippery as a wet gum‑boot, with clubs now able to line up offers well before the traditional window.

While the future of a Sydney side remains uncertain, the ability for clubs to start talks from 2028 adds a fresh layer of intrigue to the sport’s off‑field drama.

Stakeholders will now have to factor in this early‑negotiation option as they plot their strategies for the coming years.