Sydney Roosters star halfback Sam Walker is officially set to hit the open market on November 1 after the club withdrew their contract offer for him.
The messy nature of the contract negotiations - which were apparently all but agreed to before Walker's management came back to the Roosters with new demands - makes the situation almost untenable at Bondi Junction for the Queensland and Australiand debutant.
So ordinary is the relationship now it has even been reported he would be clear for an early move if he can find an interested party for 2027.
That looks unlikely given how late into the preparations for next season it is, with clubs salary caps all close to full, and certainly not having a million-plus dollars lying around.
The Roosters will likely wind up stuck with him for 2027 unless they can orchestrate a player swap, but the halfback is almost certain to be elsewhere in 2028.
Plenty of clubs around the competition could find a pretty easy reason to make a play for the halfback, and here are the seven we have identified.
Here are the clubs most likely to make a play for Sam Walker.
3. Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos have long been linked to the idea of signing a Queensland star in the making, but to this point, have kept their powder dry.
Maybe with good reason too.
As the Broncos prepare a monster offer for Xavier Willison, it's clear the salary cap is quite tight, and they'll need to find some places to cut if they want to make a play for Walker.
The Broncos do have plenty of halves on their books, but Walker would be a major upgrade.
The Broncos also have a track record of getting who they want, when they want.
Some devious reasoning in there, Scott.
I can’t say I feel that the Warriors or the Broncs are likely, but I appreciate your chain of thought.
My money is on Canterbury. So close to where he lives now that he won’t even have to move house.