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.

2. Perth Bears

The Bears need to be chasing everyone, it's really quite as simple as that.

While we aren't naming the PNG Chiefs on this list given their salary cap is already looking stretched, and the ongoing chase of Hudson Young, the Bears need to target players like Nanai.

Entertaining players who can bring in a crowd, but also help the side perform on the park.

He has a knack of scoring tries, breaking the line, and putting defensive lines under pressure.

It's exactly what the Bears will be crying out for during their opening seasons in existence, although at this stage, it's unclear what the salary cap position is.

Mal Meninga only finished saying recently that the club couldn't afford AJ Brimson, which took plenty by surprise.

1 COMMENT