The Melbourne Storm, fresh off its worst season in two decades and with more changes looming across the club, will face a tricky contract period for 2028, with multiple big decisions to make.
Those decisions may not be about to start either.
As Cameron Munster, who has reportedly been lowballed by the club, recently suggested, there is still no clarity on who will be coaching in 2028.
What does appear clear is that it won't be Craig Bellamy, with the master coach likely heading in to his final season before hanging up the clipboard.
That in itself will be the biggest change for the Storm in over two decades, with Bellamy a cornerstone of success in the competition at the helm of the Victorian club.
The Storm, who missed the finals for the first time under Bellamy this year, have plenty of players locked in for 2028, but big questions loom over the state of their squad.
Here is how the Storm are sitting heading in to the November 1 window.
Current 2028 squad
Jai Bowden, Cooper Clarke, Sua Fa'alogo, Stanley Huen, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Oryn Keeley, Moses Leo, Trent Loiero, Alec MacDonald, Hugo Peel, Adam Pompey, Gabriel Satrick, Hayden Watson, Bronson Xerri
Off-contract at the end of 2027
Xavier Coates, Harry Grant (player option), Jack Hetherington, Jack Howarth, Eliesa Katoa, Josh King, Ativalu Lisati, Cameron Munster, Josiah Pahulu, Trent Toelau, Kelma Tuilagi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Manaia Waitere
Current 2028 best 19
1. Sua Fa'alogo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Moses Leo
5. Hugo Peel
6. Stanley Huen
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. No player signed.
9. Jai Bowden
10. No player signed.
11. Cooper Clarke
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Alec MacDonald
Interchange
14. Gabriel Satrick
15. Hayden Watson
16. Adam Pompey
17. No player signed.
18. No player signed.
19. No player signed.
The Storm, as it stands, have 16 players locked up for 2028, but it's the off-contract list which is the biggest cause for concern.
Grant, Coates, Munster and Utoikamanu are the headline acts, and players the club can't really afford to lose.
The harsh reality of the salary cap is that at least one is likely to, with Munster seemingly halfway out the door.
It leaves the club potentially needing a reinforcement in the halves, while other areas of weakness from 2026, led by the forwards, will be critical.
Option 1: Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
The expectation here is that eyebrows will be raised. Matt Burton at the Melbourne Storm?
The five-eighth and centre is likely to leave the Bulldogs at the end of 2027 - that would appear to be approaching a guarantee, even if not quite there yet.
While Perth has been floated, and other Sydney clubs are interested, why couldn't he become Munster's replacement in Melbourne?
He runs the ball well, has a solid kicking game, and whether in the centres or five-eighth, should be a danger.
Put him in the Storm system alongside Hughes and maybe Grant, and his game goes to another level.
It should be a slam dunk win.
