James Fisher-Harris set rugby league circles ablaze on Wednesday afternoon when his signing with the Warriors was announced.
In the social media age, it's very rare that a signing of this stature is announced without days or even weeks of speculation.
Congratulations to both the Warriors and Panthers for allowing this process to play out behind closed doors.
JFH has been one of the game's elite props in the past few seasons. Top five certainly, I could even be talked into naming him in the top three.
If you wanted to even put him second behind Payne Haas, that would be fine with me.
His loss will be felt by Penrith. Perhaps even more than the list of superstars they've lost recently.
As good as he is on the park, and that is very good, he is a leader of the club and sets the example. He will be missed.
rugby league moves on quickly though and the Panthers have already been linked with a host of replacements.
I've tried to keep these as players that could be genuinely be available. Obviously if you're Penrith you want to read the names Joseph Tapine, Payne Haas or the like, but we're talking a limited, available player pool.
Below are the five I'd offer up as potential replacements for James Fisher-Harris:
Honorable Mention: Nelson Asofa-Solomona
If the Storm big man were to be made available, I have no doubt that Ivan Cleary would be very tempted.
Given he is back in the Storm setup though, I just can't see Craig Bellamy letting him go at this stage.
3. Matthew Lodge
If the Panthers are looking for a ready made and short-term replacement, they could do worse than Matt Lodge.
For the purpose of this we'll stick purely to footballing ability.
Lodge was linked to an Origin call up not that long ago. Truth be told, if it was based purely on rugby league form at the time, he's probably running out in sky blue.
Lodge is 28, off contract and cheap.
He's also looking for an opportunity. I can't imagine Manly will be able to re-sign him given the top ended contracts on their books.
Lodge moving to Penrith would finally see his potential realised.
At 28, it would be a shorter term option than others listed here but given the talent in the ranks in the Panthers Flegg and younger teams, the next generational talents are never far away.
Lodge could make the short move across Sydney and do the job for the Panthers. I have no doubt of this.
At his best, Lodge is a real talent. I don't know if "consistent" is a word I'd use to describe his recent seasons but his best games are scary good.
I do get the feeling Lodge wouldn't be option one or two but he very might remain an option all the same. A good one at that!
