Euan Aitken's transformation in the past 12 months has been nothing short of spectacular.
He has gone from a decent to good centre to a lethal edge player during his time at the Warriors. He's now firmly established himself as a wide running, try-scoring, back-rower.
With the Warriors set to return to their home base in New Zealand full time from 2023, Aitken has made it clear he will not be relocating.
This means he is on the lookout for a new club in 2023 and beyond.
Usually in these lists, it's easy to link players with a Super League stint, however given Aitken's reluctance to move across the Tasman, it's not really feesable to suggest he'd move to England.
Below are five clubs who could provide landing spots for Aitken in 2023.
There isn't a single off-contract player with NRL experience who won't be linked to the Dolphins. You can confidently add Aitken's name to the list.
With Brommich and Kaufusi already signed, you'd have to imagine Aitken would either need to be comfortable with a bench spot or a move back into the centres.
A chance to play under Wayne Bennett on good money might just be the motivation Aitken needs to reach the heights he really should have in the centres.
The Fins have a virtual blank cheque and a guaranteed starting spot to offer Aitken. Given Aitken is only 26, he's the perfect age for Bennett to build around.
The Dolphins have added a host of experienced Origin players and some exciting talents. Aitken is exactly the level of player they need to scatter in within the squad to balance it out.
Given Aitken has spent the start of this year based at Redcliffe, it sure does seem to make a lot of sense.
Newcastle have just lost Mitch Barnett and will be looking to replace him quickly. A virtual straight swap would be a very easy, and I believe strong, option.
Aitken has the body type and skills to switch into the middle if required or can slot in out wide with Tyson Frizell moving back to lock. Brodie Jones is yet to nail down his spot so Aitken has a spot waiting for him regardless.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon has moments where he looks as though he is the Origin player many expected, but unfortunately they are too few and far between.
Newcastle need a squad refresh and the fact Barnett is moving on provides them with a position and the cap space to make a big signing.
Aitken instantly improves the Knights side and adds valuable experience to a relatively young squad.
I don't think you could ever accuse Newcastle of being a defensive side. Aitken is tackling at almost 95 per cent across six rounds in the forwards which would be a huge plus.
Given Ponga's monster contract, if Aitken is looking for the highest offer available, I'm not sure Newcastle could match other offers but they do offer a side ready to mount a serious finals charge.
The Tigers have made no secret of their chase for Britton Nikora. They very obviously want an experienced option to replace the outgoing Leilua.
If the Nikora deal falls over, and it looks 50-50 as I type this, the Tigers could do way worse than offering Aitken a deal.
Unfortunately, the Tigers have a nasty habit of offering up big money for players on the decline.
Aitken is very much in the prime of his career and I would confidently suggest the best form of his career also.
The Tigers' centre pairing is far from being settled. There's a spot there also if Aitken and his team market him as a centre option.
This deal would probably hinge on the outcome of the Nikora chase, however either way I see Aitken as a far more consistent option than some of those currently representing the Tigers.
Could we see the return of Aitken to the Dragons? It would be quite a story to see the man who left a fringe first-grade centre only to return as a first choice second rower.
Jack Bird had been very good out wide in the opening rounds but seems to have finally found a home in the halves. With Tariq Sims seemingly always linked away from the club, Aitken suits a need.
With the greatest of respects to recent signings, the Dragons need a refresh and to bring their average age down.
Aitken at 26 is the perfect fit. He also adds speed that other options simply don't have.
I'd totally be on board if I were a Dragons fan. The story here is worth it alone.
Canberra have about 36 options at both centre and in the second row yet each player seems allergic to nailing down a position.
Hudson Young looks to have fallen out of favour, while Ryan Sutton is on his way out of the club at the end of 2022. There's a spot.
In the centres, I don't think even Ricky Stuart knows his preferred centre pairing yet.
I'm not sure the Raiders need another back rower but they need a better value back rower. Neither Elliott Whitehead or Adam Elliott have justified their cheques thus far in 22.
Stuart is showing major signs of frustration. I wouldn't be shocked to see a big name player tapped on the shoulder, or his name projected onto the wall at training to shake things up.
Watch this space.
Verdict
If Wayne Bennet wants him, the Dolphins get him. I think it is time for the Dolphins to stop looking for ridiculous money marquee signings. Aitken is exactly the player who would help build a side ready to compete from the get-go.
If the Dolphins don't come in then I believe Newcastle are the most likely to snap up Aitken.
They are losing yet another member of the back row in Barnett and I believe Aitken is an upgrade both in terms of talent and temperament.
Hedging my bets but Dolphins if they're keen. If not, I can certainly see Aitken lining up in Knights colours next year.