The reports this week that Israel Folau was first in talks with the Wests Tigers, then had three or four interested clubs, came as one of the bigger rugby league shocks of the year.
There is no doubting the talent of Folau at his prime.
Maybe one of the most gifted athletes the sport has ever seen, the outside back scored 36 tries in 52 games for the Melbourne Storm, and another 37 in 39 games for the Brisbane Broncos before departing for the AFL at the end of 2010 as a marquee recruit for the GWS Giants as the sport looked to establish a stronghold in Western Sydney.
That two-year stint was an abject failure, but his time in rugby union afterwards between 2013 and 2019 wasn't, with the fullback, wing and centre scoring 60 tries in 96 games for the Waratahs, and 37 in 73 Tests for the Wallabies.
Controversy followed the end of his time in rugby union, and while he then had a short stint with Catalans and Japanese rugby, it was thought Folau's professional sporting career - now at the age of 37 - was done and dusted.
But reports he is looking for an NRL opportunity are a shock.
The thing is though, from a club's point of view, it could be almost a risk-free punt on a guy who played five State of Origins for Queensland and eight Test matches for Australia by the time he left the NRL at the age of 21.
A train and trial deal doesn't cost a club a roster spot, it doesn't cost a heap of money, and could provide some back-up if he works out starting in the NSW Cup.
If it doesn't, then there is nothing lost, they cut ties at the end of the year and move on in their own respective directions.
So, which clubs could conceivably be in the mix for Folau?
1. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons are in the mix for any player who might be able to improve their cause.
The Red V have been poor this year. They got their first win against the Broncos a fortnight ago, but outside of that, there has been absolutely nothing to smile about for the joint-venture.
Things will turn a corner next year given they have already made five quality signings, including outside back Phillip Sami, but there are still questions.
Valentine Holmes hasn't looked up to NRL standard, while neither Setu Tu or David Fale have cemented a spot. With Tyrell Sloan set to leave and Christian Tuipulotu's role in the side also up in the air, there is wiggle room for the Red V.
We recently theorised that they could have gone after Thomas Jenkins, and other outside backs have also appeared on the radar, so a cheap play given the amount they have spent on Folau for the rest of this year, and a view to extending if it works, could be a go.
