Where there is smoke, there is fire.
That is the way the saying goes, and more often than not in rugby league circles, it is 100 per cent correct.
Whether it is the case with David Klemmer or not remains to be seen, but it was just weeks ago that he was linked with an exit from the Tigers as they looked to bring Jarome Luai to the club early.
The Penrith Panthers have seemingly blocked any chance of the star New South Wales State of Origin five-eighth being let go early, but it seems all but certain now that he will wind up in a Tigers jersey from the start of 2025.
The joint-venture are also looking to bring in Jarome Luai and were in the running for Addin Fonua-Blake before pulling out, but could still look to add to their forward pack.
It was Klemmer who was linked with a sudden exit from the Tigers in an effort to balance the salary cap, and while he may not depart ahead of the 2024 campaign, you can almost be certain that the conversation will be had again in the run to 2025 as Benji Marshall looks to rebuild the club.
But if Klemmer was to depart, where could he end up? Zero Tackle have run the rule over the competition, and come up with the top five options.
1. New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors find themselves in a position where Addin Fonua-Blake will depart the club at the end of 2024, and on a market where props are few and far between.
Props that could effectively replace Fonua-Blake though are about as rare as hen's teeth - there aren't many across the entire NRL, and those that could, are locked down.
One who wouldn't replace Fonua-Blake, but would go some of the way to filling the gigantic hole he will leave at the end of the upcoming campaign is, without a doubt, David Klemmer.
The prop brings experience and a drive to win, but also a hard-running game and a strong defensive work ethic. His tackle efficiency was among the best in the game in 2023, and it could even be argued that in effort areas, and in defence, Klemmer would actually come as an upgrade to Fonua-Blake.
The overall package isn't, but beggars can't be choosers, and this would be an excellent pickup for the Warriors if Klemmer was indeed prepared to make a change of living arrangements to Auckland.
