The Luke Metcalf saga at the New Zealand Warriors has taken a significant turn.
Once earmarked as the long-term successor to Shaun Johnson, the 27-year-old now finds himself in an awkward position.
Currently, the halfback is contracted until the end of 2028, but permitted by the club to explore his options on the open market.
The catalyst is no mystery. Metcalf suffered a season-ending ACL injury midway through 2025 while playing some of the best football in his career, leading the Dally M Medal race before going down.
In his absence last season, the Warriors struggled during the back end of the season.
The club would go from the top four to sixth place and lose the elimination final at home against the Penrith Panthers.
This season, Tanah Boyd has taken charge with Metcalf initially on the sidelines to start the year, finding his groove and hasn't looked back as the Warriors are currently 2nd on the ladder.
Boyd has officially extended with the Warriors until the end of the 2029 season, turning down Wayne Bennett's offer from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
With youngsters Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson also coming through the system, the path to halfback for Metcalf, with his injury history, is closing.
Metcalf has ambitions to play halfback, not five-eighth, as he played two games in the six jersey this season with Boyd wearing no.7.
That desire, and both parties' willingness to facilitate a move as early as 2027, puts a host of clubs on alert.
Here are the five clubs that make the most sense.
3. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs have been building nicely with health and availability this season, and are a team that, on their day, is dangerous.
The club is looking to capitalise on the last years of some of their older players, like Alex Johnston and Cody Walker, and Metcalf would make a lot of sense to play halfback, letting Ashton Ward develop in the NSW Cup.
With Payne Haas joining the club next season, it would make sense to sign a highly talented halfback for the next era of Rabbitohs football.
With reports about Jamie Humphreys to Perth, the Bears would be off the list, and the Rabbitohs would become a side that could land the Warriors' half.
There were also reports on the weekend that the Rabbitohs were after Tanah Boyd, and if that is true, the Rabbitohs could chase another half from New Zealand in Metcalf.
A spine of Jye Gray, Cody Walker, Luke Metcalf and Brandon Smith with Latrell Mitchell and Payne Haas in support would be one of the game's dangerous nuclei.
It wouldn't be totally shocking if the Warriors don't let Metcalf join an expansion team, as those clubs would not have any assets to give back that would be worth entertaining.
