Arguably one of the most electrifying fullbacks in the competition remains off contract beyond the 2026 season.
A late bloomer, Trai Fuller has evolved into the best backup fullback at any club, consistently performing when filling in for an absent Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The 28-year-old has only made 16 appearances since his NRL debut in 2023 but has proven he has what it takes to be a starter in the league.
Part of the Dolphins program since he was a teenager, if Fuller were to leave his boyhood club, these five teams would definitely consider acquiring his services.
5. St George Illawarra Dragons
Many Dragons fans, let alone rugby league fans, know that Clinton Gutherson is entering the twilight years of his career.
Let go by the Parramatta Eels, his arrival at Kogarah seemed a masterstroke as he started the year off in great form.
However, as the season progressed, “Gutho” started to regress, with his lack of pace exploited on numerous occasions.
With their forward pack sorted for the future, if the Dragons are serious about becoming premiership threats in the next few years, they need to bring in Fuller to replace Gutherson.
Ideally, Fuller would join the Saints in 2027 to work under Gutherson and integrate into the club’s system before taking the reins in 2028, bringing speed and X factor to the club’s backline.
4. Perth Bears
The most likely destination for Fuller is Western Australia.
The Perth Bears’ inaugural season is not far away, and the team is still without a specialist fullback despite their reported acquisition of utility back Nick Meaney.
They would be shooting themselves in the foot if they didn’t try to sign Fuller.
Quality fullbacks on the market are a rare commodity in the NRL, and in the Bears’ case, fullbacks off contract for the 2027 season.
Even if he isn’t brought in as the starting fullback, Fuller proves immense value as a depth signing and could be left to battle it out with Meaney for the starting jersey.
3. PNG Chiefs via Super League
If the Bears don’t sign Fuller, the PNG Chiefs must.
While there may be more options on the market come 2028, the Chiefs can’t bank on it.
Locking in Fuller now would be a statement signing for the NRL’s newest franchise, but for the 28-year-old, this doesn’t make sense.
He is off contract at the end of this season and the Chiefs’ inaugural season is in 2028, meaning he’d be without a club for an entire season.
However, Fuller could take a page out of Toby Sexton’s book, who is heading to the Super League for a season before returning for the Bears’ inaugural campaign.
The Super League could prove valuable for Fuller though.
With consistent game time scarce at the Dolphins, the opportunity to play 80 minutes each week would only improve his game before returning to the NRL.
2. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
If the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs don’t re-sign Connor Tracey, would Fuller be brought in as an immediate replacement?
It’s hard to imagine the Bulldogs would let Tracey go in the first place but considering he hasn’t been re-signed beyond the 2026 season, and with the aforementioned new clubs building their squads, it doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
So, the question remains, would Phil Gould bring in the 28-year-old to continue the Bulldogs’ charge to a premiership?
It doesn’t seem extremely likely, considering the Bulldogs are trying to build a dynasty and would probably opt to put their faith in the younger Kade Dykes instead.
But bringing in Fuller as a second option wouldn’t hurt, especially if Dykes doesn’t perform from the beginning.
1. Cronulla Sharks
With William Kennedy’s exit from the club after the 2026 season all but confirmed, the Cronulla Sharks are going to be left with Liam Ison as the only fullback at the club.
This is no knock on Ison, but the Sharks will need another fullback.
A club cannot afford to carry only one first grade fullback, let alone a 21-year-old with only one game of NRL experience.
Bringing in a fullback that is guaranteed to cause problems for any opposition may also help unlock Nicho Hynes in big games by taking the pressure off of him as the only creative outlet in the Sharks attack.
Ultimately, a spine of Fuller, Hynes, Braydon Trindall and Blayke Brailey sounds exciting but also polished enough to take the Sharks deep into the finals.
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