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.
3. Manly Sea Eagles
The Manly Sea Eagles just look a good forward short.
Taniela Paseka refinding his form has been critical in recent weeks, while Davvy Moale will also join from the Storm next season.
But with Jake Trbojevic's future up in the air, Siosiua Taukeiaho closer to the end of his career than the start and Kobe Hetherington more likely to be used at lock, there is a vacancy up front.
There is no doubt Ethan Bullemor could fill it in the short term, with Simione Laiafi viewed as the next big thing on the Northern Beaches, but Pasifki Tonga is the type of player who would get consistent minutes for Manly immediately if he does secure an early release.
Maybe the big question is just how far up the pecking order he lands, and what sort of role Kieran Foran can promise him.
