Over the past few days, a number of reports have dropped that outline the future of the fullback position at the Melbourne Storm.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is set to sign a long-term contract extension, tying his future to the purple.
Young gun Sua Fa'alogo has reportedly been promised that he would be allowed to search for another club should the Papenhuyzen signing continue to block is progress.
While this is all speculation at this stage, I can't see a world in which Faalogo remains at the Storm, knowing Papenhuzen and Tyran Wishart are ahead of him in the pecking order.
Below are FIVE potential landing spots should the Storm allow Faalogo to make the move:
With the arrival of Addin Fonua-Blake, the Sharks are in title contention status. A "window" as the kids say.
Contending teams need to do everything within their power to take full advantage of their status. That can include taking risks.
Will Kennedy is a reliable fullback. Brilliant under the high ball. That said, his five tries and eight try assists are not elite level fullback numbers.
The Sharks may be looking to move on from Kennedy, preferring a more live wire, attacking option.
Faalogo is certainly that. Although he's a raw talent, every time he touches the ball, something feels like it is about to happen.
The Sharks don't really have that as it stands. Again, Kennedy is super reliable, but Cronulla need a game breaker to take that next step.
Being only 15 games into his NRL career, Faalogo is not going to be able to demand a bank breaking pay rise at a new club.
The Sharks cap is tight. They'll need to re-sign Braydon Trindall and rising youngster Sam Stonestreet, but a Kennedy swap for Faalogo may be very much on the cards.
New Eels boss Jason Ryles has shown his hand early in allowing current fullback and captain Clint Gutherson to search for another club.
His expected move to the Dragons is going to open up both a spot and plenty of cap space.
Incoming young gun Isaiah Iongi looks to have the inside run on the vacant position, but I'm sure there are some with eyes for Faalogo.
Faalogo is the ultimate utility but he won't move from a brilliant system for a similar role.
Right now the Eels backline looks short on options. There are talks the Eels are shopping Maika Sivo too, meaning there are roles to fill.
Between Faalogo and Iongi, I'm sure it can be worked out.
Ryles is looking to provide a new outlook, a new vision and new excitement in the blue and gold. What better way to kick that of than with an exciting signing?
Much like the Sharks, Parra don't boast millions of dollars in spare cap room and thus need to make smart signings.
Faalogo in at fullback looks an absolute no brainer unless Iongi blows the coaching staff away upon landing in Parra colours.
James Tedesco was less than a game off winning a Dally M medal this past year so to suggest he is going anywhere is ridiculous.
That said, if Faalogo is in no rush to make an immediate move, the Roosters present a very interesting option.
Tedesco will be 32 by the time the 2025 season kicks off. Daniel Tupou is 33 heading into next year.
If Faalogo serves out the year in Melbourne, add another year for 2026. Neither player can play forever.
Faalogo looks very much at home on the wing so a temporary stay out wide isn't out of the question.
If the move was to be right away, the Roosters probably fall out of contention, given they have a rusted-on back three that won't be shifted next season.
If 2026 if the time for the move, a year on the wing before shifting to fullback looks very much a potential route to first grade.
The Dragons are spending big heading into 2025. They've signed Damian Cook and Valentine Holmes in order to chase Finals footy.
They're also looking for a big shift. Ben Hunt has reportedly been told his time at the club may be wrapping up soon, while Shane Flanagan allowed Zac Lomax to leave after not totally buying in.
Tyrell Sloan has moments of unbelievable brilliance but you can't ever accuse him of being super consistent.
If you forced me to pick a favourite landing spot right now, surely it's in the Red V.
The makeup of the Dragons backline for next year looks to be anyone's guess. Jack Bird is out, Lomax is out and there's talk of Ravalawa joining them.
To be totally honest, the Dragons need to one of the sides on the phone to Faalogo's management right away.
I'm sure if you offered up a Round One backline with Faalogo running out in the custodian role, there isn't a Dragons fan who would shut you down.
I hesitate to put the Dogs here given the performance of Connor Tracey at fullback in 2024.
That said, the ceiling on Faalogo is almost limitless. This is a switch I would make if I were in the inner sanctum at Belmore.
Faalogo is a freakish talent and would take pressure off Matt Burton to create. That has to be the Dogs number one objective.
They've built a side that has seen them go from easy beats to Finalists. They just look a piece or two short.
Faalogo would slot in right away and add one of said pieces right away.
Phil Gould has been very open in saying the Dogs have cap space available for next year and beyond.
There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of the Dogs welcoming another talent to their squad in 2025 or 2026.
If the Dragons aren't favourites, my guess is that the Dogs would be.