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.

2. Zac Hosking (Melbourne Storm)

The emergence of Noah Martin as a starting second-rower for Ricky Stuart's side on what has evidently been a boom pre-season has shuffled Zac Hosking out of the starting side.

The injury to Matty Nicholson probably makes this a difficult sell now, but the Storm would no doubt be knocking on plenty of doors around the competition to see what they might be able to pull out of the top drawer.

The issue, of course, is that they have lost Eliesa Katoa for the season, Shawn Blore's return timeline hasn't been set after re-injuring himself in the NSW Cup, and their depth is a little skinny.

The emergence of Cooper Clarke as a first-grade level talent has certainly set some minds at ease, but the fact of the matter is, middle forward Alec MacDonald is starting on the edge this weekend.

That alone should be enough of a reason for the Storm to scour the competition.

They have signed Oryn Keeley for next year from the Dolphins, but that is next year, and he will likely replace Blore anyway, given that he has indicated he wants to return to Sydney.

Hosking is a very solid player and would no doubt go to another level under Craig Bellamy before returning to the Raiders as an improved version of his current self.