Despite it still being early April, every side has one eye on their 2025 roster.
We're a month into the competition now so coaches are starting to see where they need to improve for next year and beyond.
I fully expect to see a raft of signings very soon.
One such a player I expect to see gain the attention of plenty of sides is the off-contract 24-year old Kayal Iro.
The former NSW Cup player of the year dazzled during his second NRL game last weekend. If he wasn't already being looked at, I guarantee that performance put him in the shop window.
Here are five potential landing spots for the talented Cook Island international:
The Sharks will be desperate to hold onto their prized future asset.
Iro has torn the NSW Cup to shreds for Newtown for the past few seasons. He is too good for the grade and now entering the prime years of his career.
You'd have to imagine that Iro won't re-sign for the Shire club unless he was guaranteed first team footy.
He was so good this past Sunday night, against Matt Timoko no less, but it was only his second game at the top level.
With Siosifa Talakai's impact falling off drastically following his temporary move to the back row, Craig Fitzgibbon has now decided to axe him to the bench, leaving Iro in the run on side which could well be a big play towards him re-signing with the club.
Iro's footwork and speed make him a far less of a target in defence than Talakai. In attack he was fantastic running for 135 metres, crossing for a try and assisting a second.
The Valentine Holmes comparisons go far beyond their similar looks.
With Siosifa Talakai himself admitting that Iro had the most potential of anyone, I would be shocked if we didn't see Iro slot in more full time.
This seems simple. Iro will surely re-sign if that centre position is his. If not, the Sharks risk losing a player of huge potential for a formula that hasn't worked for two seasons.
The fact that the Sharks reportedly denied not one but two release requests late last season does show Iro figures in their future plans.
It is no secret that the Eels are in the market for a quality centre. They've also not hidden their desire to talk to Zac Lomax with an eye to 2025.
Given that three of the four members of the Eels spine are on close to a million dollars each, perhaps a more value option is the go here.
Iro is undoubtedly a player of high potential. Given he has only played the two NRL games though, he wouldn't be able to command anywhere near what Lomax is supposedly earning.
The only potential drawback here is the Eels have a host of young centres in their ranks.
They may be looking for the proven star or experienced player.
Given the huge dip in form in the position though, I'm not sure the different in talent between Lomax and Iro is worth the massive investment.
If I'm an Eels fan, I'm hoping my team turns their intentions to Iro as a Lomax signing would almost certainly mean shedding a Matterson or Lane level player.
Rumours last season linked Iro to an immediate switch to the blue and gold. Don't be shocked if talks are ongoing, even if they do ultimate hinge on Lomax and his decision.
Kayal Iro was in the Newcastle system at one point, and if not for the pandemic, who knows where he would have ended up.
I mentioned earlier in the week that Dane Gagai would be 34 before the 2025 season kicked off.
I also mentioned that Gagai was a supreme winger when called upon for his state and country.
A return to the Hunter would be a romantic tale and would also present Iro with an opportunity to play regular NRL football.
Either he would bide his time on the wing, where he debuted for the Sharks in 2022, or slot straight into the centres with Gagai making the switch out wide to partner Greg Marzhew.
Tom Jenkins and Enari Tuala might have something to say about that, but the Knights would be very aware of Iro's talents.
This would almost purely depend on how long they believe Gagai will be at the club.
If they're looking to refresh the roster, Iro in for Gagai is absolutely the play.
The idea of a player of Iro's potential at the Roosters scares me.
Given the fact the Roosters are losing their two first choice centres at the conclusion of 2024, I linked the Roosters with Lomax almost immediately.
Truthfully though a move on Iro would make more sense.
Iro is going to come at less than half the freight of Lomax, without any perceived baggage.
Whereas Lomax made it very public that he was unhappy to play on the wing, Iro has quietly gone about his business in NSW Cup despite being far too good for that level.
The Roosters aren't known for putting up with too much. I'm not saying Lomax would be an issue but I'm not sure Trent Robinson would allow him a chance to become one.
Plus, how's the romance of Iro playing for the club his uncle Tony Iro once played for, albeit in their Sydney City Rooster iteration.
Penrith are set to lose Sunia Turuva at the end of the season.
Although I'm sure there are four players in their current system that could come in and do a job, Iro playing on the end of that backline has to be appealing.
Whether or not Iro would be willing to make a fulltime switch to the wing is yet to be seen but he'd be on similar money to Turuva's current deal.
Taylan May, currently plying his trade in the centres, made a name for himself on the wing and could very easily switch back.
Again, whether May would accept this is up for debate if Ivan Cleary makes a decision, I can't see too many arguing.
Iro would be so close to a like for like switch for Turvuva, it is impossible to believe the Panthers scouts haven't at least watched a bit of tape on his.
Again, the Panthers have plenty in their system, Paul Alamoti being the obvious replacement, but if they deem him not up to it, Iro's head could be turned.
What young player wouldn't want to be apart of this current Panthers set up?
Especially an outside back who loves to run the ball from his own end? That's a huge part of the Panthers gameplan.
Watch this space.