Although most sides are still looking to complete their rosters for the 2024 season, a certain premiership and Origin-winning half has teams looking a little further into the future.
2025 may seem a long time away, but given players can start negotiating from November 1, moves may very well already being made.
When a player of Jarome Luai's pedigree becomes available, rosters shift.
For those who haven't heard, the star five-eighth is yet to nail down an extension with the Panthers.
A recent split with management and a subsequent cooling-off period mean he may be unable to even discuss a potential extension until mid-October.
Given he is likely to be the object of many sides' affection, Luai could attract a contract away from Penrith worth a million dollars per season.
For the purpose of this, we're going to look at options other than Penrith. He could very well accept a cut-price deal to remain at the foot of the mountains, but where is the fun in that?
Below are five sides I expect to heavily be in the race should that November 1 deadline tick over, and therefore be viable landing spots for Jarome Luai in 2025.
3. St George Illawarra Dragons
Incoming coach Shane Flanagan had made no secret of his intention to make changes to the current Dragons set up.
The club has already allowed Jayden Sullivan to move on, suggesting that Ben Hunt and Talatau Amone are the partnership the Red V will enjoy moving forward.
That said, Ben Hunt is 33 years of age and has not so privately expressed a desire to move on.
Partnering with a player of Luai's talents and standing would certainly calm any potential issues for Hunt. At the very least it won't hurt.
Hunt's contract expires in 2025, meaning a Luai/Hunt partnership would have a season to potentially send the Dragons legend out on the best terms.
Or perhaps the signing would convince Hunt to extend his career further? Or perhaps Amone uses 2025 to play his way into the number seven role if Hunt moves on or retires?
The Dragons would have more than enough cap space, especially with 12 months to make the moves required. They also have a guaranteed spot for Luai.
Whether or not Luai would want to go from the game's most winning culture to one that quite frankly isn't great right now ... well, that is a very real question.
