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.
4. Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are enduring a rare down year, by their lofty standards.
If there's one thing we know about Roosters supremo Nick Politis it's that he doesn't mind making big changes to quickly correct a downturn in results.
Luke Keary is a magnificent player but he isn't leading the side as hoped. James Tedesco is another year old and young gun Joseph Sua'ali'i will exit the club at the end of next season to play Rugby.
We joke about it, but the Roosters have the best accountants in Rugby League. You cannot convince me that they couldn't make room for a player of Luai's abilities.
By 2025 both Sandon Smith and Sam Walker will have another season under their belts, with one surely standing out as the long-term option.
Jarome Luai shapes as both the perfect fit and also the quick fix. Whether that be beside Keary or one of the aforementioned halves.
The Roosters love signing marquee players. They're a huge club. Don't let recent results fool you.
Jarome Luai just screams "Roosters signing".
