The Rugby League World Cup is just around the corner, with Australia's squad to be picked after the Grand Final.
Kevin Walters has plenty of key questions, but there may be no position with a more even split of competition than dummy half.
While Harry Grant is the man who has been relied on to wear number nine for the Kangaroos in recent years, he is suddenly no guarantee of being the man thrust into the limelight again for 2026, with the tournament to kick off on October 15 between Australia and New Zealand.
Other options played for longer during the NRL season than Grant, and, arguably at least, had better seasons.
With the experience at Kangaroos level to come up against the argument for fresh blood, here is the state of play at dummy half for the Kangaroos.
The incumbent: Harry Grant
Grant was excellent on the Ashes tour last year and, at this point in his career, is among the big leaders for Australia.
14 Tests into his stint with the Kangaroos, Grant has shown no signs of slowing down, but whether that's enough to avoid being overtaken remains to be seen.
Certainly, 2026 is the first time coach Kevin Walters will have to sit down and seriously consider whether Grant is his first-choice option.
The Storm missing the NRL finals won't help his cause, nor will the fact he wasn't in the top two hookers for the season just gone, with Blayke Brailey and Wayde Egan both - arguably at least - jumping ahead of him.
Grant, in his 21 games, still came up with solid stats in a poor team - 10 try assists, 6 tries, 5 forced dropouts, but the fact he only tackled around the 93 per cent mark will raise another cause for concern.
He also couldn't inspire Queensland over the line at Origin level.
He probably needs to play worse than he has to lose his spot, but never has it looked more unclear. Grant has been an automatic selection in years gone by, much the same way Cameron Smith was during his career.
Not so much in 2026.
The big challenger: Blayke Brailey
Blayke Brailey was included on the Ashes tour last year, and while he didn't get on the field, he would have benefited from the experience of touring and being around the green and gold squad.
The hooker played 21 games through 2026, and while he couldn't inspire the Sharks through the finals, he was easily in their top two players.
Compare his stats to Grant's, and the arguments are obvious.
15 try assists, tackled at almost 96 per cent and ran the ball for 54 metres per contest.
He is one of the game's most lethal dummy halves, and was rightly rewarded with a NSW Blues debut in the middle of the year.
Brings real leadership qualities and must be under consideration.
The other options: Wayde Egan, Reece Robson
Reece Robson has had a very mixed first half of the year, ultimately losing his stranglehold over the Blues hooker jumper.
And yes, Robson still started for NSW, but it certainly wasn't with the same authority given Brailey was in the side and played from the bench.
Robson's form since the Origin series has been outstanding though, and ultimately, he has been a big part of the reason the Roosters have been able to surge all the way to this weekend's grand final.
Wayde Egan is the other option.
There has been some talk that, under residency rules, he may yet be approached by the Kiwis for their squad, but he could be more than a gentle consideration for coach Walters after winning the Dally M hooker of the year award on Wednesday evening.
The verdict: Harry Grant
Ultimately, it's exceptionally difficult to see Grant being replaced in the side, but his grip over the jersey certainly isn't as tight as it has been.
Brailey, or potentially Robson, will be picked in the squad and will get game time.
The modern game is certainly one that benefits from the one-two hooker punch throughout the game, but whether Grant is playing the big role or the secondary role remains to be seen by the end of the tournament.
