Things are going from bad to worse for the St George Illawarra Dragons with Tuesday afternoon's revelation Loko Pasifki Tonga has put in a request to leave the club.
The rising star is rated as one of the best young forwards in the game, and with good reason.
His engine, leg drive and size gives him uncoachable attributes - attributes which have been clear throughout his progression.
The Dragons have a host of young forwards, but Pasifiki Tonga, who played for the NSW under 19 side two years ago and was part of St George's drought-breaking SG Ball Cup in the same year, has been rated as the best of them.
His numbers at reserve grade level have made it bewildering that he hasn't seen more than the ten games in the NRL he played last year, and maybe his release request - which came after what Zero Tackle believed to be weeks of disgruntlement - maybe doesn't come as a huge surprise.
Plenty of clubs are in needs of forwards immediately or otherwise in the long-term, and while it's unclear whether the Dragons will soften their stance and grant him an immediate out from the club, here are the likely contenders for his signature.
4. Newcastle Knights
The Knights sit in an intriguing position salary cap wise right now.
They have enormous deals out for Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, but with their clean out in recent times, there is probably still cash to splash.
That obviously isn't going to be all needed for Pasifiki Tonga, but there is a clear need for re-enforcements.
As much as Trey Mooney has been fantastic, he probably should be at lock. The Knights have the ridiculously talented Cody Hopwood coming through their system and a whole host of other fringe type players, led by Pasami Saulo, Mat Croker and Peter Hola.
None of those guys are Pasifiki Tonga though and with Tyson Frizell weighing up retirement, don't be surprised if the side from the Hunter pick up the phone.
