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.
3. Melbourne Storm
The Storm worked their way through the 2023 season without ever being at their best, or their standards if you're honest about it.
The club, in particular, struggled in a big way during the finals series with their forwards, down significantly on experience compared to 2022 after a number of high-profile departures. The Panthers in particular, marched over them.
The Storm also have a habit of getting the best out of every player they touch, so may yet back the players they already have to get the job done. But that looks like it won't be the case. In recent times, they have chased both Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
They don't typically spend big money on forwards, but those two pursuits suggest that rhetoric is changing after their losses ahead of 2022.
Klemmer would come cheaper than either of those two, though and, fitting in with culture and attitude in the Victorian capital, may actually be a better fit.
Like the Warriors, his appetite to move away from Sydney is unknown, but on the surface, at least, this one makes sense.
