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.
1. PNG Chiefs
The Chiefs are going to need a halfback for their inaugural season - there is no doubt about that.
To this stage, they have signed some elite outside backs and Jarome Luai, who, if they are serious, needs to become the number seven.
The Chiefs have been linked to both Sam Walker and Nathan Cleary previously, and while their salary cap has already taken a kicking from the player signed, Walker would be a worthwhile splurge.
There are very few elite halfbacks on the open market at the end of 2027, so they need to make their offer for Walker count for plenty if they proceed.
Whether Walker would entertain a move to Port Moresby also remains to be seen.
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.