The PNG Chiefs are well underway in building their inaugural squad without even being close to November 1.
That the expansion club, who most expected would struggle enormously to sign players thanks to their location, have managed three signings already - and of high quality - is outstanding.
Only two are official, with Jarome Luai the first to join as he exercised an out clause in his long-term Wests Tigers deal, while Alex Johnston was given permission to negotiate with the club early by the South Sydney Rabbitohs, despite still being contracted for 2027.
It has now emerged that Connor Watson, who has been given permission to negotiate both his immediate and long-term future away from the Sydney Roosters, has also signed.
That's likely to be the end of the official signings before November 1, although the Chiefs will spend plenty of time in the news cycle as players hold off on re-signing with their current outfits in hope of joining what could be a competitive team in a rugby league obsessed nation for tax-free dollars.
Zero Tackle reported recently that Penrith Panthers and New South Wales winger Brian To'o, who is best mates with Jarome Luai, is likely to be another of those players, and one of the first to go once November 1 rolls around, with the Panthers understood to be resigned to losing him.
Despite the tax-free element to PNG's salary cap though, they can't simply sign everyone on huge money.
With just a day over five months until November 1 arrives, Zero Tackle have poured over the list of off-contract players at the end of next year and come up with ten likely bargain buys to help fill the Chiefs' squad.
6. Ali Leiataua (New Zealand Warriors)
When Ali Leiataua was first coming through the ranks at the New Zealand Warriors, he was supposed to be the next big thing out of Kiwi pathways.
A talented centre at both ends of the park, he looked the big during many of his early NRL games too.
Injuries haven't helped his run since though, with Leiataua playing just 23 games since his debut in Round 15 of the 2023 campaign. Consider 8 of those have come this year, and the picture is an easy one to paint.
He is back in the Warriors' side on a fulltime basis now, but with his contract ending at the end of 2027, and the arrival of winger Will Warbrick and utility outside back Grant Anderson next year, as well as Alofiana Khan-Pereira arriving at the club this year, the race for spots in the back five will be on.
There is no guarantee Leiataua gets one, or is willing to take the risk he will have one long-term, which could present a move to Port Moresby as an enticing prospect for a player who has more upside than most, and could show it in the coming seasons.
Interesting filler article, but there are two things that concern me.
The first is that most of these guys can’t even consider an approach until 1 November, and who knows how their form may have changed over the rest of the season.
The second thing is that going to Port Moresby is quite different to relocating to Townsville or Melbourne. I expect that a LOT of these guys will think that no matter how much they are paid, it will not be enough to convince them to go and live in a compound, like they are in some extended version of COVID.