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.
1. Parramatta Eels
If we want to talk about disasters, then it would only be fair to mention the injury crisis currently on display at the Parramatta Eels.
As it stands, forwards J'maine Hopgood and Matt Doorey are done for the season, while Kelma Tuilagi, Sam Tuivaiti and Kitione Kautoga are all missing from this week's game with the Warriors.
The Eels, who have started their season poorly to currently sit second last only ahead of Pasifiki Tonga and the Dragons, need re-enforcements and they need them quickly.
The club, who actually applied for salary cap dispensation given injuries occurred on foul play, have already acknowledged as much.
Pasifiki Tonga would walk into this side for the rest of the year and beyond, and the blue and gold should be throwing everything at the club and player to ensure they secure his signature as quickly as possible.
