As you tuck into the Christmas ham, try to dodge the worst of the chat around the table and open the presents, NRL clubs will also be hoping they can score plenty from the most festive day of the year.

It's time of year when the NRL seems to stand still. Players are on leave, clubs go quiet and the signings - for about the only time all year - slow down.

But it won't stay that way for long. Clubs have turned their long-term attention towards their 2025 squads, while pre-season training will be back shortly ahead of the season kicking off in Las Vegas, which itself follows pre-season trials from the middle of February.

So, what does your club want for Christmas ahead of the 2024 season?

On behalf of the entire Zero Tackle team, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and safe holiday period.

12. Panthers: Effectively replace Stephen Crichton

The Panthers have been asked to replace players - and big names at that - time and time again in recent seasons. They have managed each one successfully, as demonstrated by what is now three premierships on the bounce.

Apisai Koroisau and Viliame Kikau were the latest of those, and Koroisau in particular looked as close to unreplaceable as you could get, yet, the combination of Mitch Kenny and Soni Luke filled it strongly enough to keep Ivan Cleary's side hanging at the top of the tree.

Stephen Crichton being replaced is the latest challenge for the men from the foot of the mountains as they prepare for the 2024 campaign, with the club having signed Paul Alamoti, but lost Thomas Jenkins to the Newcastle Knights.

Jenkins was viewed as the logical replacement, although the breakout form of Sunia Turuva, who played on the wing in his rookie season while Taylan May sat injured after destroying his ACL in the pre-season, means there is now a reshuffle needed.

Turuva who was the rookie of the year, is undroppable, which means Taylan May will likely return as a centre.

Crichton is a Dally M team of the year player though, so it's not straightforward, but also impossible to suggest the Panthers won't find a way to make it work given the track record.