The NRL has long flirted with the idea of having a loan system, although it has never fully been used throughout the game's history.
During the coronavirus pandemic, with more players sidelined than ever before, it was used at times, with the New Zealand Warriors in particular benefiting from its existence.
But there has been an ongoing discussion ever since that situation cleared itself up and the game got back to being somewhat normal.
Should a loan system exist, and be used more frequently by clubs?
While it's commonplace in European football competitions, there are plenty of NRL clubs that could benefit from a rival club's player for the remainder of 2026.
There are also players who could benefit from a move, extra minutes, a fresh coach and a change of scenery before returning to their current club in 2027.
Here are five players who simply make sense to be elsewhere for the remainder of 2026.
4. Lazarus Vaalepu (Newcastle Knights)
The Knights need forwards. There is really no doubting that.
Cody Hopwood leads a talented young brigade of players coming through their engine room, but there isn't a whole lot of NRL experience there right now.
Jacob Saifiti is the forward pack leader, and Trey Mooney has made a very positive start to 2026 following his off-season move from the Raiders, but the fact of the matter is Tyson Frizell and Mat Croker are the other starting middle options this weekend, while Pasami Saulo and Hopwood sit on the bench.
Vaalepu, who is seemingly out of favour with the Storm despite impressing from his NRL debut, could do with shaking things up for the remainder of 2026 and reminding Craig Bellamy of exactly what he can do.
He would also bring size and aggression to the Knights - two areas they are sorely lacking in and found out the hard way as they were thumped by the Warriors last weekend.
