The Perth Bears preparation for their inaugural season took an unexpected turn recently when South Sydney Rabbitohs half and hooker Jamie Humphreys decided he wouldn't be joining the club for their inaugural season.
The deal had been as good as done, if you listened to the reports circulating, for weeks.
But then he backflipped. Decided moving across the country to join a squad that, on paper, is a long way away from where it needs to be, wasn't the best move for his career.
Instead, he decided to go back to the open market, where he has been since November 1, and take his chances there.
The Rabbitohs seemingly don't have the money, or, given the form of Ashton Ward, even the appetite to play Humphreys in anything other than a bench role, but his current club could yet become his future club if things go one way in the coming days and weeks.
Humphreys backflipping this late in the piece is an eyebrow-raiser given most clubs are well and truly closing on full squads for next year, but he is too good to not land a deal somewhere.
Here are the five clubs who could land him for 2027 and beyond.
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Staying exactly where he is will certainly be an option for Humphreys, although the salary cap status of South Sydney probably leaves this in the basket that may be too difficult.
The Rabbitohs are, for what it's worth, believed to be wanting to retain Humphreys, or at least were.
He has been a real revelation since leaving Manly where he was stuck behind a number of players.
Humphreys might have to continue filling a bench role at South Sydney if he remained, but he has been doing it excellently this year, is still a big part of the club's plans, and seemingly has enjoyed his footy under Wayne Bennett.
Don't write this one off.
