With the days until November 1st ticking down, we are well and truly amidst the NRL's silly season.
Over the next few weeks we will see a number of players linked with seemingly random clubs as clubs look build for 2024 and beyond.
One player who is in the headlines and seemingly on the open market is Cronulla Sharks utility Connor Tracey.
The half turn winger turn centre turn fullback is off contract in 2025 but rumours suggest he wants out of the club a season earlier than that.
Given Tracey's age combined with what he has done for the Sharks in previous seasons, I can't see the club standing in their way.
With the likes of Kade Dykes, Sam Stonestreet and Kayal Iro on their books, the Sharks need to start looking to their future and thus shouldn't stand in Tracey's way.
With a look to a regular First Grade spot in mind, there's no way I can see Tracey extending his stay in the Shire.
Below are the five most likely landing spots for Connor Tracey:
The Eels have made no secret of their search for an outside back. More specifically a centre they can rely on.
They've been in talks with numerous talents and were linked with both Connor Tracey and teammate Kayal Iro for much of the back end of the 2023 season.
News is that they've signed Morgan Harper, but with the greatest of respects to the incoming centre, Tracey looks a far stronger option.
Tracey is in career best form and equally at home at either centre or on the wing.
Although the talks re Iro have not subsided, given the Eels are in "win now" mode, Tracey looks the smarter option right this minute.
Tracey walks into the Eels side, something he very obviously wants on a week to week basis.
I have no doubt the Eels will be in for his services come November 1st but they'd obviously much prefer him om board for the 2024 season.
The Sharks look to be holding out for a potential swap, so look for them to be asking for an Eels forward in return, at least at first.
Two months ago I thought Tracey to Parramatta was happening. I have no reason to believe it's not happening now.
Expect the Eels to be in the discussions, unless of course they believe Harper is their man. Again, I don't.
The Dragons are in a full, and rapid rebuild. They will be linked with every player on the market, with Tracey being no different.
Talks are Shane Flanagan is keen to move Zac Lomax to fullback, a move I agree should be a priority.
Connor Tracey is exactly the kind of player the Red V should be targeting right now.
He's a talented player with an enormous heart, a clean skin away from the field and won't break the bank to recruit.
He also walks into the Dragons side at either centre, assuming Lomax moves to the custodian role, or on the wing.
If worst comes to worst and Kyle Flanagan's signing doesn't work out as hoped, Tracey can even provide a stopgap option in the halves.
Simply put, the Dragons need to be on the phone to Tracey's agent the second they're given permission.
I said last week that the Storm need a refresh. Not a rebuild, but some new energy in key positions.
Connor Tracey in purple in the centres? That very much fits the bill.
Craig Bellamy has built a legacy on getting the very most out of players and I have no doubt he could turn Tracey's skill-set up to eleven.
Justin Olam is a tremendous attacking threat but was dropped to QLD Cup recently and was defensively found out in the Finals.
Marion Seve seems to bounce between First Grade and reserves while Reimis Smith doesn't seem to be the answer he once was.
Connor Tracey could, very realistically, run out for the Storm come Round One in either 2023 or 2024.
Tracey just screams Craig Bellamy's kind of player. I could really see he and Nick Meaney forming a killer combination out on one side, should Ryan Papenhuyzen return in the early rounds next season.
Bellamy has turned decent first graders into scary talents. Imagine what he could do with someone like Tracey!?
Much like the teams above here, the Raiders feel due for a refresh.
Ricky Stuart never really decided on a first string back five this season. Xavier Savage is all at sea, Jordan Rapana is a fullback/winger/who knows?
Sebastian Kris is suspended but was seemingly relegated to the wing after an up and down run at fullback. Second row even?
Matt Timoko is a future superstar and will fill one centre role next season. That cannot be disputed.
The other spots ... anybody's guess!?
If only there was a calm headed player, potentially available, who could fill whatever role was asked of him ... If only!
Tracey has been linked to the capital for many weeks now. He absolutely fits into the Ricky Stuart mold. The Canberra way, if you will.
He is exactly the kind of player Ricky Stuart should begin his mini refresh around.
A player you notice on the field and never heard of off the field. It would be a welcome change after the past few seasons for the Green Machine.
This is a move that looked on a month-or-so ago, and one I'd now be shocked if wasn't discussed again as soon as holidays end.
Guess what? The Cowboys also need a refresh! Bet you didn't see that coming, right?
Viliami Vailea is signed to arrive in Townsville next season, while Peta Hiku is on the way to England.
Valentine Holmes will return from suspension, which will feel like a new recruit such is the spell he and the Cowboy shave had to endure.
Still though, despite some serious talent in the wing and centre positions, I don't see anything that puts a stop to putting Tracey's name up in lights.
Kyle Feldt has been an incredible player for the Cowboys but looks to be on the back end of his career. His being named in a replacement role numerous times suggests this, unfortunately.
Zac Laybutt looks a real prospect, but has hardly nailed down that second centre spot.
Murray Tualagi is a freakish talent but looks more at home on the wing. Semi Valemei scored a barrel of tries on the wing and will probably partner Tualagi.
There are a lot of "probably" and "potentially" in this discussion.
Connor Tracey absolutely starts at centre in round one if he makes the move to the far north.