Former Warrington Wolves and Salford forward free to enter open market on November 1

Former Warrington Wolves forward and current St George Illawarra Dragons prop Ben Murdoch-Masila is free to enter the open market on November 1.

The 32-year-old has a contract through until the end of 2024, but will be allowed to speak to rival clubs from the start of November as per NRL transfer rules.

Murdoch-Masila made his professional debut with Wests Tigers in the NRL in 2010, and later joined Penrith Panthers until his move to England initially with Salford Red Devils in 2016.

He made 60 appearances for the Salford Stadium side across two seasons before linking up with Warrington Wolves under then-head coach Steve Price.

The Tonga international featured 68 times for the Halliwell Jones Stadium outfit between 2018 and 2020 before returning to the NRL with New Zealand Warriors.

Ben Murdoch-Masila could enter open market

Having joined St George Illawarra Dragons ahead of 2023 on a two-year deal, Murdoch-Masila will be free to negotiate his future with rival clubs starting November for the 2025 campaign and beyond, as reported by Fox Sports. 

The forward would turn 34 before the start of 2025.

He is among a handful of players at the Dragons who will be able to negotiate their futures elsewhere, with Shane Flanagan set to take charge ahead of the 2024 campaign and a squad overhaul expected.

Tautau Moga and Billy Burns are off contract at the end of the current season, while more players have only one-year remaining on their current deals.

Forward Jack de Belin, Francis Molo and Jaydn Su’A are among those named by Fox Sports, while Flanagan is now said to be confident in retaining skipper Ben Hunt, despite having previously requested a release from his contract following the sacking of Anthony Griffin.

As reported by Examiner Live, Warrington Wolves have rejected speculation linking the club with Dragons forward Zane Musgrove, who has been told that he is free to leave the club early with a year remaining on his deal.

Daryl Powell has made no secret of his desire to bolster his squad in the lead up to the play-offs, with the signing of Jordan Crowther from Wakefield until the end of the season.

Warrington do have two quota spots available following the departures of Thomas Mikaele and Josh McGuire, although there is talk of the former returning from Australia for the rest of the Super League season.

St George have meanwhile been linked with out-of-contract England international Luke Thompson and Papua New Guinea international and Leigh star Edwin Ipape for 2024.

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