November 1st, one of the days every rugby league fan circles. It's the day that literally millions of dollars of talent become off-contract.
Titans and Origin superstar David Fifita is one of those players able to talk to opposition clubs come the first day of November.
Judging by reports this week, there is more than one club already preparing a massive bid to tempt the monster forward for 2024 and beyond.
With the salary cap set to rise and many clubs entering either a rebuild or a title window, Fifita will be highly sought after.
Here are the five most likely landing spots for David Fifita - the club he will represent come Round 1 2024.
Given the massive investment the Titans put into Fifita, you have to believe they'll be loath to let him leave. This despite an under-par 2022 season.
The Titans are in a rebuild right now. A rebuild they didn't even need 12 months ago but results this season dictate they now need to undertake.
Justin Holbrook may be looking to invest the million-or-so dollars Fifita is reportedly on. Whether that be in upgrading and extending his fullback or signing a marquee centre.
That said, to lose David Fifita, the very player the Titans have built around for a number of years now, would be admitting a complete re-set is required.
The Titans haven't gotten the most out of Fifita but when he is on, he's very much unstoppable. He's a weapon that only the Bulldogs (via the incoming Viliame Kikau) can match.
I can't see a world in which losing David Fifita can be spun as a positive. Only a massive signing on better value than Fifita would suffice.
The fact the Titans let Fifita remain unsigned as we head into October perhaps suggests they're not 100 per cent sold on their marquee player.
Perhaps they're going to have a cheeky dig at Cameron Munster before they sit down and talk figures with Fifita?
The Dragons are in the papers, linked to a multi-million dollar move with Fifita. They're the only club actually named to this point so you have to believe they're serious.
Anthony Griffin is desperate for a future-shifting signing. His Red V were largely dire in 2022. Ben Hunt carried them to tenth spot on the table.
David Fifita absolutely fits the bill. He also adds a weapon the Dragons have sorely lacked for years.
Jacob Liddle is the single signing for 2023. Meanwhile Ben Hunt, and Moses Mbye are off contract at the end of next season. That suggests there will be cap room available.
They also have four forwards off-contract at the end of next year so there are spots to fill.
Fifita's partner currently plays for the Dragons NRLW side, while a fresh start for the former Origin superstar could be exactly what his career needs.
The Dragons seem very serious in this chase. They wouldn't have let it leak to the media if they weren't trying to turn the monster forward's head toward the
The Sharks had a wonderful season but when push came to shove in the finals, their forwards just couldn't match the big guns.
Wade Graham looks to be on his last legs with a 2023 swansong more than likely. Andrew Fifita and Aidan Tolman have also left the club.
Come 2024, the Sharks will likely need an upgrade in their pack. With 12 players off-contract including big names Siosifa Talakai, William Kennedy and Sione Katoa, a change could be coming.
I'm not sure Craig Fitzgibbon would be willing to match the million-dollar offer likely to come from their local rivals, but with a premiership window opening he may have a different carrot to dangle.
The Sharks look a big, game winning forward away from a genuine title charge. Fifita, on his day, is that very forward.
Any potential chase by the Raiders would depend on the future of the off-contract Joseph Tapine.
Tapine is arguably the form front rower in the competition and is likely to attract monster offers from rival clubs come November 1st.
If the Green Machine were to lose the Kiwi superstar, then they would need a replacement. David Fifita shapes as a pretty handy one.
They play a different game but Ricky Stuart has a brilliant recent record of extracting the very best out of talented forwards. Perhaps a move into the centre could truly unlock Fifita's potential?
I think it's fair to suggest that Canberra is a little quieter than the Gold Coast. Fifita, for all his talents, isn't immune to a distraction.
If Ricky Stuart can convince Tapine to extend his stay in the Capital, then this is a moot argument. If not though, I would be shocked if Stuart doesn't aggressively hunt a replacement in Fifita.
Newcastle endured a horror 2022. They avoided the Wooden Spoon via being slightly less terrible than the Warriors and Tigers.
They need a game-changing signing.
With the greatest of respect, I can't see Cameron Munster even taking a meeting in the Hunter while the Saifiti boys talents rule out the need for a shot at Tapine.
David Fifita's arrival would bring with him plenty of excitement.
Tyson Frizell is now the wrong side of 30 while Lachlan Fitzgibbon has fallen from grace. Fifita would walk into the Knights run on side and immediately improve them.
David Klemmer is supposedly being shopped around while Clifford, Clune, Fitzgibbon, Frizell, Mann and Young are all off contract. They could free up the cash if they really want to.
Whether or not the Knights could offer the playing roster Fifita will likely demand when sizing up his options is the only real stumbling block.
Newcastle almost have to go in on Fifita if for nothing more than to convince fans they can attract that quality of player to the club.