NRL contract mayhem is peaking, only reinforcing how stupid the NRL's free-agency is. You could just chuck in a free-agency window at the end of the season and all the shenanigans would be confined to a week or two after the Grand Final; if it's good enough for the NBA then it's good enough for me. 

This free-agency has the Australian media in a frenzy but while they worry about a cluster of Australians coming off-contract, we've got plenty of #KiwiNRL lads in search of a new contract as well. I've narrowed that down to six, six lads who interest me the most even though the chances of each respective player re-signing or leaving vary greatly. Here's the first three with a few bonus lads, the next three will come tomorrow.

Jordan Kahu (+Alex Glenn)

At one end of the 'likely to leave' spectrum is Kahu, who won't be leaving Brisbane Broncos. Well, he might but Brisbane gave Kahu contract after contract when he was battlin' numerous major knee injuries and the vibe I get from Kahu is that he's a pretty lovely bloke who will repay that faith. Also, Kahu has enjoyed more responsibility under Wayne Bennett with each season and whether it's Kahu's versatility, his job-doing nature or supreme skill-set that allow him to kick droppies despite Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt being in the halves, Bennett understands the value Kahu offers.

The twist comes in the value of the contract, with Brisbane making a big play for Jack Bird. We all know that Brisbane enjoy the advantage of greater corporate opportunities and of course, Hunt is off to join the Dragons so they will be able to offer Kahu a decent 'outside back level' contract. I also suspect that Kahu could sign a two-year contract and then really cash in once Brisbane bid farewell to a few players and Kahu settles into a consistent position.

At the moment, Kahu is just a winger but we have seen him develop through the levels each season. If Kahu continues that trajectory then he will demand a lot more cash in the coming years.

Alex Glenn will also re-sign, be sure of that. That's despite Glenn struggling to get game time as an edge forward behind Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday, but he's done a fine job in shifting to the middle where his mobility (speed/footwork) gives the Broncos a point of difference. Kahu can play any backline position and Glenn can play any position in the forward pack as well as filling in at centre, which is exactly what Bennett wants.

Fa'amanu Brown (+ Manaia Cherrington)

A Samoan international, Brown has struggled to kick on from limited NRL opportunities as he sits behind James Maloney and Chad Townsend in the halves, while the emergence of Jayden Brailey and the signing of James Segeyaro have pushed him down the pecking order. What's funky is that Brown has shown in brief NRL stints that he can do a fine job, especially in the halves and that should have a few NRL clubs sniffing around as they bypass the expensive halves and look for a cheap option.

Cronulla could definitely want to keep Brown and if Brown is willing to wait for an opportunity, I don't doubt that this opportunity will come. Chad Townsend is coming off-contract so a lot could depend on what happens there and Cronulla are juggling their salary cap after winning a Premiership, so Townsend will demand more money. Whether it's Cronulla or another club, Brown is a low key cheap half to keep tabs on.

Manaia Cherrington was signed by Cronulla from Wests Tigers but he is now out of their picture with Brailey and Segeyaro ahead of him, as well as Joseph Paulo. Cherrington would be a great depth signing, or if a club wants to invest in someone who could take over their long-term dummy half duties, Cherrington's the guy.

Agnatius Paasi (+ Leivaha Pulu)

Many sleep on the wizardry of Gold Coast Titans coach Neil Henry as he's flipped Paasi and Pulu from reserve graders into NRL forwards. Paasi has been super impressive with his powerful carries combined with some audacious skills and Paasi deserves an upgraded contract from the Titans, possibly why Chris McQueen was snapped up by Wests Tigers as Gold Coast make a bit of room for re-signings.

Paasi does have a habit for picking up injuries and he's yet to really establish himself as a top-tier No.13 or edge forward - he's capable - as he's spent a lot of game time coming off the bench. I reckon Paasi will stay with Gold Coast and while we've heard a lot about the disruption caused by Jarryd Hayne, Paasi was a cornerstone of the gritty Gold Coast Titans team that surprised many last season. Paasi is the type of player who the Titans can be built around moving forward and they will invest in that.

Pulu has plateaued a bit this season with his offloading ability now responsible for a few too many errors, but I don't think he will leave the Titans either. Gold Coast have Ryan James and Jarrod Wallace as their big boppers and as they have let McQueen and Zeb Taia leave, they could have an opening on the edge. Pulu and Paasi are capable of playing through the middle and on the edges, meaning that the Titans will benefit from keeping them around.

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