Free agency for 2027 is in full swing, and while players sort their futures, plenty of eyes have shuffled to Townsville where rising star Jaxon Purdue is among the off-contract list.
At just 20 years of age, Purdue has already well and truly made his mark as an NRL player, whether that be in the centres or at five-eighth.
A player with all the talent in the world, he will also likely spend some time at fullback if there are issues with Scott Drinkwater, or halfback if need be, and there is little doubt he will eventually be an Origin player one way or another.
If he finds form in the next two months, there is no reason the Mackay-born utility couldn't be in the mix for Billy Slater's six-man bench this season.
Off the field, it has appeared he will likely stay with the Cowboys, but there are no guarantees there. The Cowboys salary cap doesn't have the wiggle room that some others do, and with an expansion side looming, it will add more pressure on Todd Payten and his recruitment staff to retain Purdue.
Here are the other clubs around the competition that could make a play.
3. Gold Coast Titans
The Titans are in a real backline head-scratcher as we roll through the 2026 season, and while they notched up their first win of the campaign over the struggling St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend, there are plenty of question marks over what they look like at full strength.
AJ Brimson, who some has suggested needs to move on for the good of his own career, will play at either five-eighth or centre, but the players behind him in either position would be comfortably out shone by Purdue if he elected to make the move to the Glitter Strip.
Purdue is unlikely to be in the mix for fullback or halfback at the club given Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell - both of whom have long-term deals - appear to have those jerseys under lock and key.
That doesn't mean it's a move the Titans could try to make happen though.
Purdue is the type of player who could change their attack overnight whether at centre or five-eighth.
