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.
New Zealand Warriors
Stacey Jones
Having recently lost not only a great half, but also a great leader in Blake Green, the Warriors are desperate for more than just quality in the position.
With their selection, the Auckland based franchise should look no further than the greatest ever Warrior โ Stacey Jones.
In his 261-game career over two stints with New Zealand, Jones played as a model halfback, with sublime vision, foot skills, passing ability and jinking runs his trademark.
Although never a winner of a premiership ring, Jones represented the Kiwis on 46 occasions across a 12-year span.
Having spent the entire season away from home, the young Warriors roster would also benefit from the presence of veteran Ruben Wiki. As a man who helped build the club's culture, Wiki would act as more than handy inclusion if the Warriors sought to select him instead.
