With the home and away season winding towards a conclusion, opportunities for teams to break into the eight are rapidly declining.
For some clubs, fantasies of playing finals this season were dashed long ago, but for others, the dream is still alive - albeit fleetingly.
Each team outside the eight is far from the finished product. They all require an injection of talent in at least one major position on the field.
Whilst contemplating these gaps, we found ourselves pondering a hypothetical question โ if each club outside the eight could select one legend to help boost their finals chances, who would they choose?
After scouring the stats, team sheets and possibilities, these were the champions we thought would make the best additions.
Manly Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart
With franchise player and electric speedster Tom Trbojevic sidelined, the Sea Eagles have a hole at fullback.
If they are at all keen on arresting their slide this season, they would almost certainly be keen to select Brett Stewart to slip back into the number one jersey.
In his eleven seasons at Brookvale, โSnake' was a mainstay at the back for Manly. Often lining up alongside brother Glenn at club level, Brett also represented his state of New South Wales and his country.
With two premierships to his name, Stewart would undoubtedly have the attention of the modern day Manly men every time he opened his mouth.
Having played the entirety of his 233 game and 163 try career as a Sea Eagle, the addition of Stewart at his best would not only have the Brooky' crowd buzzing, but would even act as an upgrade on โTommy Turbo'.
