North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green has revealed Kane Elgey as an option in the club's succession plan to replace star Johnathan Thurston when he retires.
Thurston is off contract at the end of 2017 but it's expected he'll re-sign with the Cowboys on a one-year deal for the 2018 season.
This is the same year that Elgey comes off contract and gives the Cowboys the perfect opportunity to try and snare the future star.
“JT is getting closer to the end,” Green told the Courier Mail. “We need to have a serious look at whether we look to promote from within or whether we go to the market to buy someone.
“If you look at the market, Kane Elgey is off contract at the same time (as Thurston’s planned retirement), so that would work in well.
“Elgey is a guy we would have a look at. He will be one of several young halves we could look at, I suppose."
Titans coach Neil Henry though has been quick to try and shut down any talk of his young half leaving the club.
"He's contracted here for two years," he said.
"You shouldn't be speculating about a guy that's not in the last year of his contract."
The Titans will also face a battle to keep Ashley Taylor who is also off contract at the end of next season, with close rivals Brisbane looking to replace Ben Hunt who is leaving the club for St George Illawarra at the end of the season.