Every few seasons or so there is an off-contract player whose move sets off a flurry of activity.
Last season it was the ridiculous Daly Cherry Evans saga that had a huge effect on multiple player movements.
The Titans, believing they had signed their marquee half for the foreseeable future, allowed Aidan Sezer to sign with Canberra, although there is a line of thinking that he was headed for the nation’s capital regardless.
DCE's re-signing with Manly supposedly had some level of effect on Nate Myles’ decision to head for the northern beaches.
The Sharks, who were in for the Manly halfback shifted their attention to James Maloney after DCE’s decision was made, which saw a mad scramble for Jack Bird’s signature after it became clear he was going to have to shift out of the halves.
Although arguably not all directly triggered by DCE’s decision, they were all affected in some way.
This season it looks as though Matt Gillett’s decision will have a huge baring on other transfer activity within the market.
Gillett, who has been linked to both the Titans and the Sharks, while the Broncos remain keen to keep their star backrower, is likely to command a big contract wherever he ends up.
Should he make his way to the Shire and join the Sharks of Cronulla, it would likely signal the end of Luke Lewis’ time at the club, while Chris Heighington’s future may also be affected.
There’s also a chance that he could take the starting place vacated by Paul Gallen, should the club and state captain decide to retire at season’s end.
Should he head to the Titans, it’s reported that Greg Bird may be on his way back to Sydney, although I have my doubts as to the validity of that link.
Should he choose to stay in Brisbane, it would likely put pressure on the Broncos cap, meaning they’d have to sacrifice somewhere else, although without having access to the books that is pure speculation.
Gillett will have to forfeit a certain amount of money though to stay in Brisbane, as reports indicate that both the Sharks and Titans can more than match any offer that came from the Broncos.
Although not publicly linked to other clubs, I have doubt that almost all of the NRL clubs have made some level of inquiry as to Gillett’s availability.
The 27 year-old is a genuine match winning second rower. He is an expired, level headed player who doesn’t end up in the social columns in the papers and sets a good example for younger fans.
He’s currently one of the form second rowers of the competition and is a lock for Queensland Origin selection. He may even represent Australia in the upcoming ANZAC test.
Simply put he’s the kind of player any side would want to have in their run on side.
Where he ends up is anyone’s guess, but I’m certain it’ll have a flow on effect similar to that of DCE’s last season.
Reports this week have seen both of the current Tigers halves linked with other clubs.
Luke Brooks has been linked to the Bulldogs for a while now, and Brooks is being heavily linked to fellow western Sydney club, the Panthers.
I still expect both, or at least one to stay, it would be a huge blow to the club if both were to be lost.
Neither Brooks nor Moses has set the world on fire, but the club have built their future around the young halves pairing and I believe have based their recruitment decisions around them.
The move to allow Robbie Farah to look elsewhere was made with an eye to using the funds freed up to re-sign their young halves long-term.
I know that the Tigers would have a plan b, and with Keary and co still on the market it’s hardly the end of the world, but to lose one, or both, Moses and Brooks would see a mad scramble as plans went out the window.
The Tigers will likely move Heaven and Earth to ensure their long term plans don’t see a spanner thrown into them, but with the Dogs and Panthers knocking, who knows?