Penrith Panthers, New South Wales Blues and Australian Kangaroos superstar Nathan Cleary is set to test the open market for the first time in his career.
While he hasn't said it's a guarantee, he has certainly hinted it's going to happen.
The Penrith Panthers have a stretched salary cap, and just maybe, the star halfback is getting itchy feet around what his legacy will be if he never tries to play outside of the Penrith system.
There are plenty of fresh challenges around the competition for him to have a crack at while he is still in the prime of his career.
From heading to an under fire club, to an expansion one, to linking up with another premiership contender, all options are on the table for a player who will fetch well and truly over a million per season once he starts to test his true worth from November 1.
Penrith are still a great chance of capturing Cleary's signature, but if he does leave the foot of the mountains, where does he wind up?
We have analysed and ranked every club's chance of landing the Penrith star.
15. Manly Sea Eagles
Manly moved on from the Daly Cherry-Evans era at the end of 2025, and made a long-term, big-money investment in Jamal Fogarty to be their number seven on the back of a tremendous season with the Canberra Raiders where he led the Green Machine to the minor premiership.
While the jury is out on Fogarty's halves partner, neither Cleary or Fogarty are a number six.
If Cleary was coming off-contract a year further down the track when Fogarty's deal ends, there would have been plenty of scope for the Northern Beaches-based club to make a play.
It won't be happening in the timeline currently set though.
every team except for the dogs it would seem
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