Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is currently off contract at the end of the 2023 NRL season and at 34 years old the prop still has plenty to offer in the NRL.
Making an appearance in the Round 5 NRL's team of the week after his 180-metre effort against the Eels he will likely be looking for a new deal at the conclusion of this season.
Despite having played almost all of his career in the tri-colours Jared may have to leave the club if he wishes to stay in the NRL.
Below we have five possible landing spots for the Roosters hardman if he looks to continue his career:
Despite having a strong starting pack the Titans are still lacking significant depth and their bench tends to see the side collapse after the opening 20 minutes of the match.
The Titans previously signed Isaac Liu from the Roosters in an attempt to bolster their pack with some experience and may look to do the same with Waerea-Hargreaves.
Despite offering plenty of size young props Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika would greatly benefit from the experience of the veteran prop.
While their current starting forwards are both at a high standard neither offers the aggression factor that Waerea-Hargreaves brings to the side.
A healthy dose of aggression in their pack is something the Titans have not offered since the departure of Greg Bird and could be the reason JWH ends up in the Gold Coast.
Justin Holbrook's men could therefore definitely use the big man, it is just up to the coach to pull the trigger on the big decision.
With another veteran props time at the club coming to an end in 2023 the Cowboys may wish to slot Jared Waerea-Hargreaves straight into the James Tamau hole at the club.
Signing Tamau across from the Tigers after a frankly average year with the joint venture was an interesting call, but if the Cowboys value experience JWH makes perfect sense for a one-year deal to replace the departing Tamau.
The Tamau departure will free up about the same the side would likely be willing to pay for Wearea-Hargreaves meaning the side could switch in JWH without having to move their cap around too much.
Already offering plenty of strike in their forward pack as proven in 2022, it is a much different situation than the other prospects like the Titans.
Rather than play a starring role in the side, JWH would likely be used to mentor the forward pack and play a steady 20-30 minute stint off the bench for the side simply to ease the pressure when key players like Taumalolo need a rest.
The Dragons have a severe lack of spark in the side and have become a Ben Hunt solo show in recent years and JWH may be exactly what Anthony Griffin needs to get his side motivated.
They desperately need an experienced prop who can turn momentum with a tough carry or a big hit and simply one who can mentor future stars like Blake Lawrie.
It is likely a similar reason is why the Dragons trialled their experiment with Aaron Woods, which proved unsuccessful and has resulted in the club trading away woods to Manly.
Simply because Aaron Woods did not work out for the side doesn't mean it was the right idea. I believe the plan was sound they just had the wrong man for the job.
More aggression through the middle is exactly what Ben Hunt needs to be freed up and have more time to use his dynamic backline players like Lomax and Suli.
JWH would be a great signing for the Dragons and perhaps under the perfect circumstances. No doubt the club will be nervous to sign another older prop after Woods but the fact JWH will likely only want a one-year deal may ease their minds.
A kiwi himself Waerea-Hargreaves may find himself with the fairytale homecoming to finish his career back at his home.
The New Zealand international would be on Andrew Webster's radar as the side would love to have a trio of explosive front rowers at the club, which would see him line up alongside Addin Fonua-Blake and Bunty Afoa.
The Warriors so far in 2023 have been able to utilise their backline effectively largely due to the impact of their forward pack, and JWH would only continue this trend allowing the club to continue their 'loose' style of play through his tough carries putting defenders on their heels.
However, the largest factor in a possible contract with the Warriors is obviously whether or not JWH is willing to uproot from Sydney to New Zealand which is likely either a definitive yes or no given he would not feature with the club across the ditch long term.
As for the boring answer, JWH is a strong chance of staying with his beloved Chookies in 2024 and retiring with the club.
Despite the Roosters already having plans for when he leaves, proven with the signature of Spencer Leniu there are still other ways Roosters may find a way to fit him in their cap as they so often do.
It will depend on his performances through the rest of 2023 but there is a chance the Roosters may opt to keep on Waerea-Hargreaves over Matthew Lodge who also has his contract expiring at the end of the year.
While it would be odd to prioritise a 34-year-old prop for a 7-year-younger counterpart, Trent Robinson has proven he will move mountains for a single season as he did with Sonny Bill Williams in 2020.
Provided what he has given to the club in his playing career I greatly doubt JWH could become a liability in an extended season with the tri-colours and I see this as his most likely fit.