Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold faces a testing decision with Tom Dearden set to take the reigns off departing first-choice half Kodi Nikorima over Sean O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan, 21, faces a tough road ahead with 18-year-old Dearden set to cement his spot in Seibold's first team playmaking depth chart.
O'Sullivan arrived at Red Hill from the Sydney Roosters in December as an off-season recruit, but now faces a tough battle ahead, as an extension on his one-year contract begins to look unlikely.
Seibold has given Dearden a monumental backing to become Brisbane's starting No.7 after revealing he couldn't guarantee Nikorima a position with the Broncos beyond 2020.
Seibold's backing of Dearden goes against NRL immortal Andrew Johns who favoured O'Sullivan as one of Seibold's best halves.
Whilst O'Sullivan has had a great run of form with feeder-club Norths Devils, there have been growing concerns if he has the capability to transfer that form into the NRL.
Seibold's growing stocks dont just stop at Dearden, with Tanah Boyd and Cory Paix also asking questions when it comes to selection, making life at Red Hill even more difficult for O'Sullivan.