Very few things in 2025 truly shock me.
An alien invasion? Could happen. A real life Jurassic park? Maybe.
The best winger in the world potentially requesting a release from the most dominant team in modern day rugby league? Surely not?
That is the exact situation we potentially face right now with Brian To'o and his management reportedly set to meet with Panthers brass today to discuss his future.
Every single club in the NRL, Super League and Rugby Union would be looking in his direction if To'o is granted a release. We're going to take a few factors into account here and not just name every side in the world.
With that said, below are five likely landing destinations for Brian To'o, if reports of his release are soon confirmed.
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Brian To'o has stuck by the Panthers, watching team mate after team mate cash in on their success in moving clubs.
Not to say that To'o is struggling or anything but he could realistically walk into a variety of teams on close to a million dollars a season.
That should be unheard on for a winger, but this is no ordinary winger we are talking about.
Brian To'o moving to the Tigers guaranteed him an eye watering pay day. I have no doubt in the world they would make him the highest paid winger in rugby league history.
The biggest factor here comes in the form of Jarome Luai.
Luai was the best man at the wedding of Mr and Mrs To'o. I wouldn't google the speech he gave, but the fact he and To'o are super close cannot be denied.
Penrith simply cannot match what the Tigers can offer financially.
Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards are on top tier contracts, as they should be. Even Brian To'o cannot walk in and demand what he is probably worth.
To'o has three title rings, and potentially a fourth to his name by the end of the season.
I cannot begrudge him, for a second, the chance to walk across western Sydney for a life changing amount of money, the ability to play with his best mate, and a new challenge.
Not for one second am I going to frame the loss of Zac Lomax as a positive for the Dragons.
If To'o is granted a release though, this could be the only chance they'll have to actually upgrade the position by adding the Penrith monster.
Lomax out, To'o in. You'd probably take that swap. Especially given To'o is happy playing on the wing.
The Dragons have the money on hand. Every single star that becomes available will be, correctly, linked to the Red V.
Shane Flanagan is building something at the joint-venture club. They lack a genuine, game changing superstar though. To'o though could be that superstar.
It's not often we look at wingers as game changers but To'o is a different beast.
He starts set like no other winger in the game. He scores tries no other winger can score. He is just, the perfect modern day winger.
If the Dragons aren't blowing up the phone of To'o and his management today, then they need to fix that right away.
The Knights are undertaking a massive clean out of their roster.
Daniel Saifiti and Blayke Brailey are supposedly on the way out, while Jackson Hastings is set to move back to England.
Reports indicate that may not be the end of it.
I dare suggest that there are multiple players who would be tapped on the shoulder should To'o become available via a release.
Last year the Knights flew to the second weekend of the Finals on the back of a Ponga, Young, Marzhew back three.
Since the massive Dom Young has left the club, that combination has been blunted in a big way.
To'o arriving would return it to it's glorious, three headed glory.
Whether or not they could free up the funds is questionable but if there is any way it could be a possibility, it absolutely should be.
I'm not sure Penrith would allow their superstar winger to walk to, what should be, a title contender.
Souths injury crisis in 2024 has been ridiculous and has completely robbed them of any real momentum. Yes they had a good recent run but it was too late.
Wayne Bennett returns in 2025 and I have no doubt there is a major roster overhaul coming.
Alex Johnston is a rusted on winger, while Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton should line up in the centres next year. Add Latrell Mitchell and they're one player away from a fearsome back five.
Money is going to be an issue, especially when you talk about all of those big name stars.
Wayne Bennett is probably the one coach in the NRL that players are willing to accept "unders" to play for.
If To'o is looking for a new environment and maybe a slight upgrade in the back pocket, I'm sure Wayne Bennett and co could make it work.
Damien Cook is on his way out and I'm happy to predict a mass clean out of underperforming squad players.
They could make it work if they really wanted to.
I always hate doing this (it's boring) but there is every chance To'o remains at Penrith.
To'o and his management may walk into any supposed meeting and be shut down out of hand.
This is the best winger in the world we are talking about here. He is contracted.
There's no reason Penrith can't shift some things and free up some extra cash to keep To'o happy either. They probably owe it to him.
While Crichton, Burton, Kikau etc have all cashed in, To'o has just chipped away and played a massive part in their back to back to back titles.
Perhaps it's just a power play? Maybe he's just got itchy feet and needs to be reminded of what he has at the foot of the mountains?