Melbourne Storm forward Shawn Blore is finally back fit and firing after a horror run with injuries, named to start by coach Craig Bellamy in his third hit out of 2026 against the Dolphins.
After two runs off the bench in the last two weeks, Blore is likely to play big minutes on Friday evening and begin to put himself back in the shop window of Sydney-based clubs for 2027.
It emerged in December last year that Blore wanted to go back to Sydney at the end of his deal with the Storm, which expires this year.
He has been able to negotiate since November 1, and while there has been little in the way of noise, there might be once he gets back onto the field in a big capacity for a Storm side desperate for a turnaround.
His role this year will only increase given the game's best second-rower Eliesa Katoa is sidelined with career-threatening brain injuries sustained playing for Tonga at the 2025 Pacific Championships.
Blore's form was mainly overlooked in 2025 given Katoa's excellent performances, but there is little doubt how important he was in the club's charge to the grand final.
If the rumours do turn out true and he wants to come back to Sydney, here are the clubs who will be in the mix for his signature.
4. Newcastle Knights
The Knights are technically not in Sydney, but they are certainly closer than Melbourne and could come knocking for Blore - the kind of player who would fit Justin Holbrook's coaching style perfectly without breaking what is an already stretched salary cap thanks to enormous deals out to Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown.
The Knights certainly have one second-row spot locked up. Dylan Lucas has come on in leaps and bounds and would start at most clubs around the competition.
If it wasn't for Olakau'atu, Jacob Preston and Hudson Young, he could well be next in line for a New South Wales Blues jersey this year.
Jermaine McEwen, a young gun, has claimed the other edge spot throughout 2025 and 2026, and while it would be a tough chat to have with him, someone like Blore would add plenty to the Knights, and improve their depth.
Current second-row depth in the Hunter isn't bad, with Thomas Cant, Tyson Frizell (who is more of a middle these days) and Brodie Jones the key names, but there is a chance that the list reduces next year.
Blore going up there to fight with McEwen for a starting spot, with the other coming from the bench, automatically makes Newcastle a stronger footy team in what has rapidly become one of the game's most important positions.
