The final round of the regular season is finally upon us, with a host of players preparing for finals football, while others start packing suitcases, bound for a new town and a new club.
For some, the final season is an opportunity not to just rest players ahead of September football, but blood fresh faces, youngsters shaping towards a future at the club.
But for every fresh face is a departure, and with over 25 players set to don their side's jersey for the final time this round, some recognition is deserved.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Te Maire Martin of the Broncos is wrapped up by the defence during the round seven NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, on April 22, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: Paul Vaughan of the Bulldogs looks on during the round four NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park on April 03, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jarrod Wallace of the Titans celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the NRL Elimination Final match between Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans at QCB Stadium, on September 11, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Edrick Lee of the Knights runs with the ball during the round 14 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park on June 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: Robert Jennings of the Panthers runs the ball during the NRL Trial Match between the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks at CommBank Stadium on February 20, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
TOOWOOMBA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Josh McGuire of the Dragons runs during the warm-up before the round 23 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters at Clive Berghofer Stadium, on August 22, 2021, in Toowoomba, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: James Tamou of the Tigers speaks with the referee during the round 19 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on July 24, 2022, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
