It is becoming clear that Canterbury Bulldogs forward Josh Curran will not be at the club beyond the end of his current contract.
The forward, who was one an outsider for the State of Origin selection discussion during his time at the New Zealand Warriors, can play in the middle or on the edge, and moved to Belmore ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Now with 106 NRL games under his belt, his role actively seemed to go backwards at Belmore during 2026, and with a host of young forwards both in the middle and on the edge pushing through the system, there is a good chance the club simply won't have the capacity or need to extend his contract.
The four-time Indigenous All Star is talented and experienced though, so will likely have no shortage of suitors on the open market should he look that way for 2027.
Here are the most likely landing spots for the forward.
6. Parramatta Eels
The Eels have recently entered the race for Keaon Koloamatangi, and that's not a huge surprise.
Whether they have the money to attract the Rabbitohs star to the club remains to be seen though given a number of other big-money contracts, led by the deal for Mitchell Moses.
But there is a chance a number of players leave at the end of 2026.
Ryan Matterson will certainly be one of them, while Junior Paulo, as unlikely to retire as he is, could weigh up hanging up the boots.
Either way, the Eels are certainly a key forward or two down, and could do a lot worse than have a chat with Curran, who would walk into a blue and gold jumper as part of Jason Ryles' rebuilding 17.
