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:
5. The Dolphins
The Phins are another side I can see be huge players here if the move is for 2025.
Kenny Bromwich is 32 and Felise Kaufusi will be 32 by round three in the 2024 season. The Dolphins need to lock in a longer-term option in the second row.
Connelly Lemuelu and Josh Curran can be the Dolphins' second row for the next five years, plus!
The move probably wouldn't make sense for 2024, although I'm sure Bennett could make it happen if it locked in the club's long-term future.
2025 though, the Dolphins would join the Raiders as the most likely destination.
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.