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.

3. Gold Coast Titans

The Titans roster management in recent years has raised eyebrows, but signing a player with the calibre of Nanai would certainly move the needle of public perception.

There is little question the salary cap on the Gold Coast is struggling, but if they manage to have AJ Brimson off their books, it will allow a much-needed rejuggling of money.

While Josh Hannay's side have Beau Fermor locked up beyond 2028, and Arama Hau to the end of 2028, they are the only confirmed second-row options for the club at this stage,.

The jury is still out when it comes to Hau's abilities at NRL level, and while Fermor is going nowhere, the Titans big issue has been strike on the edges.

Nanai would certainly go a distance to fixing that, if they can get other things around the house in order to make a play for him.

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