Rumours have begun circulating that the South Sydney Rabbitohs could be an unlikely destination for Brisbane Broncos forward Xavier Willison in 2028.
Since making his debut in 2021, Willison has carved out a reputation as a durable, high-work-rate front-rower and second-rower, stepping up during Brisbane's injury crises and playing a role in the club's run to winning a premiership last season.
He has also represented the Cook Islands and New Zealand at international level.
Veteran journalist James Hooper first reported the rumour on the Rugby League Insider podcast.
Recent reports surfaced that Willison is currently in the middle of transitioning to a new manager, Ahmad Merhi.
Merhi, who is behind the Sportsplayer management agency, is also Payne Haas' agent who secured the deal he signed with the Rabbitohs.
Willison is currently under contract with the Broncos until the end of the 2027 season; any Rabbitohs interest at this stage remains speculative rather than imminent.
The front-rower expected to replace Payne Haas at the Broncos declined a contract extension from the club in July that would have locked him down at Red Hill until the end of the 2030 season, with the deal understood to be worth more than $900,000 per year.
Adding forward depth makes sense for the Rabbitohs; however, the timing raises plenty of questions given the club's salary cap position.
South Sydney have signed Haas on a three-year, $3.6 million deal starting in 2027.
The Rabbitohs have reportedly paused negotiations with every player off-contract at the end of the 2027 season to prioritise re-signing Tallis Duncan.
The deal was reported to be a three-year extension until the end of the 2030 season, with Duncan's salary expected to be around $700,000-$800,000 a season.
Looming over is also the Latrell Mitchell situation and how they will fit the 29-year-old under their salary cap.
Beyond Mitchell and Duncan, players like David Fifita, Campbell Graham, Brandon Smith and Jack Wighton are all coming off contract at the end of 2027.
Cody Walker's future beyond this season is undecided, although it is expected he will re-sign, while Jamie Humphries is hopeful to work on a deal to stay at the club after declining a deal with the Perth Bears.
With so much of the salary cap already earmarked for key players, and a long list of names to sort out, any move for Willison would require a lot of salary cap gymnastics.
The Rabbitohs made the finals for the first time since 2022 and will play the Newcastle Knights on Friday night in a win-or-go-home elimination final.
