Another day, another player linked away from their current club.
This week it was Warriors forward Josh Curran, who has reportedly been told he can look around for 2024 and beyond.
The thinking looks to be the Warriors need to free up cap space to upgrade and extend their exciting talent across the park. The cost of success, unfortunately.
Losing Curran would be a bitter pill to swallow for Warriors fans, but the thinking behind it is solid enough.
Curran would have no shortage of suitors. However, if a 2024 move were to eventuate, most clubs would need time to make the moves required to fit him in.
Below are five like destinations for the versatile 24-year-old forward:
4. Canberra Raiders
Ricky Stuart recently confirmed that club legends Jordan Rapana and Elliot Whitehead would retire at the end of the 2023 season.
With Jack Wighton also exiting the club for Redfern, the Raiders suddenly have spots to fill and the cap space to fill them.
I'm not sure the Raiders could make room for 2024, but if the Warriors are willing to wait until 2025, you have to believe the Raiders will lead the race.
Curran is a ready-made replacement for Whitehead. A much younger replacement also.
The Raiders feel stagnant. They're good. They're a Finals team. That seems about it. New blood is needed in the capital.
If Canberra needs to make an early move to secure his services for 2024, I'm sure they'll at least look at that move.
If the move is for 2025 though, the Raiders would be my front runners.
If the Warriors’ need is for money right now, then forget the Raiders and the Phins.
As for the Sharks, Matt Moyand is reputedly on a “salary cap friendly” rate. I’m guessing that is about $300K, and I’m guessing Connor Tracey is on about the same money.
I doubt if $600K will pay for what Mr Curran will be asking. Maybe the Sharks could offer the Warriors one of Hamlyn-Uele, Rudolf, Hunt, Kaufusi, Finukane or Talaki as a replacement, and offer to pay some freight to make it a cheap swap. That should free up enough cap space.