With Origin dominating the main stream headlines for the next few weeks, a few talking points will inevitably slip under the radar.
The NRL's silly season is really yet to hit full swing. We've seen a few big name signings for next season but there are plenty of moves to come.
One domino set to fall sooner than later is 19-year-old Bulldogs centre Paul Alamoti.
Despite an indifferent season to date, I still have no doubt in the world that Alamoti is going to develop into a weapon out wide.
Whether or not that will be with his current club in 2024 and beyond is up for debate.
Below are five likely destinations for the wrecking ball centre.
4. Parramatta Eels
The recent rout over South Sydney aside, the Eels 2023 season hasn't lived up to the lofty expectations set. Perhaps change is on the horizon?
Reports linking the Eels with a move for Connor Tracey were quickly rubbished but I'm not entirely sold that the Eels have their long-term centre combination.
Alamoti making the short trip across western Sydney could definitively fix that.
I don't believe we have even scratched the surface in terms of what Alamoti is capable of. I believe his development would be fast-tracked playing outside of either Mitch Moses or Dylan Brown.
It would be remiss not to mention reports linking Clint Gutherson with a shift to the centres but his recent performances have surely resigned that thinking to the trash heap.
Parramatta are a team stacked with monster forwards, superstar halves and a top-class fullback. Money would surely be tight, so players of promise look far more likely than established stars.
Given Alamoti has more than half the 2023 season left, he could arrive as a mixture of both.
Keep an eye out as the Eels look very much in the position to pounce should the Dogs not stash Alamoti away quick-smart.
As you say, he is only 19. Moving to Townsville and cutting himself of from family and friends and his wider “support group” is not something I would recommend for him.
Even the best, mature players can struggle moving cities (you’d know that yourself, after seeing how Shaun Johnson failed to fit in at Cronulla, and how much happier he has looked since he went back to Auckland).
If he is going to move, the bus-ride to Parra looks his best option, to my mind.