Bronson Xerri's name has lived in the headlines in recent days following his axing and apparent release request from the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Dropped from Canterbury's 22-man squad for their Round 3 clash with the Canberra Raiders, the star centre has had everything from being unhappy with a switch of sides, to unhappy with a demotion to the NSW Cup levelled against him.
The Bulldogs, through ever-talkative director of football Phil Gould, have claimed Xerri hasn't asked for a release, but where there is smoke, there is generally fire.
It's understood plenty of clubs have already made inquiries with his management. It's not every day that a centre of his calibre comes up as a potential to leave their current club, if not immediately, then certainly at the end of the season.
Of course, his contract running to the end of 2027 with the Belmore-based outfit means there is no guarantee he is available at the end of this season.
With that in mind, we have looked at the most likely landing spots for Xerri, with some being more immediate than others.
2. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons have some intriguing questions to answer in the outside backs, including the centres, over the next 18 or so months.
Shane Flanagan's side will be on the rise at some point on the back of their young crop of local forwards, who will wind up being led by 2026 recruit Keaon Koloamatangi, but there are still improvements needed in other parts of the side.
The outside backs have been a real question mark for the Dragons, and they aren't going anywhere with Valentine Holmes getting older, Moses Suli off-contract at the end of 2027, and the wingers not set in stone.
One option, if the Red V targets Xerri for next year, would be to shuffle Holmes out to the wing, or even to fullback, given Clint Gutherson's career is also now winding down, with a vacant centre spot opened up for the Bulldogs' star.
If the Dragons are delayed in their pursuit of Xerri until 2028, then it could well be that Holmes retires, and it becomes a straight swap.
Intriguing times for the Dragons, but there is little doubt that if Xerri is available, they need to be one of the clubs moving plenty of pieces around to try and slot him into the side.
