North Queensland Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai recently indicated he was going to hit the open market on November 1 in a bid to find out his value.
It's a major blow for the Cowboys, who would have been keeping a player who has become one of the game's elite second-rowers, particularly at the attacking end.
While there are question marks around Nanai's defence - a familiar theme around the Cowboys - there is little doubt about what he brings in attack, both in terms of his standard running game, and his ability in the air.
His attacking record, ability to try score tries, and create havoc for opposition defences will almost certainly have opposition teams sit up and take notice.
When you cast the eye over the way rugby league is going, it's all about points and being able to score.
That is true too in the second-row. The game's elite are no longer defensive weapons, but rather, players like Hudson Young, Jacob Preston and Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau'atu.
It means Nanai will be hot property, and with the rising salary cap, it's not hard to see him fetching seven figures if teams turn a blind eye to his defensive issues.
Even with those, he likely wouldn't miss the seven-figure mark by that far.
Should he decide to up sticks and leave the Cowboys, then these are the clubs who will be in the mix for his signature for the 2028 season and beyond.
6. Canberra Raiders
The Raiders sit in a rather intriguing position as they head to November 1, having given Hudson Young permission to explore the open market before November 1.
It's fairly clear why they have done that - they want to know what's happening with their star second-rower, and they want to know pronto.
Even in a world where Young snubs the PNG Chiefs though and decides to remain in Canberra, there is a decent chance the Raiders may want a reinforcement.
While the green machine are strong in just about all facets of the side on paper, there is a very real world where they go chasing Nanai to add elite attacking power on the other side of the park.
Their other second-row options - led by Zac Hosking - are limited. Ata Mariota is about to become a fulltime middle third player, and Simi Sasagi has clearly found a home at centre, rather than in the second-row - so much so that Sebastian Kris is working towards a departure from the club.
This move does make sense, although the question will be over the Raiders salary cap, and to a lesser extent, roster balance if they do sign Young given his asking price.
