As Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks runs off-contract at the end of the season, the club has a difficult decision to make.
Zero Tackle takes a look at ten realistic options the Tigers could choose to replace the former Dally M Halfback of the Year.
All the players on the list are either off-contract at the end of 2023 or won't have an NRL club going into next season.
The options include six NRL players, three Super League players and an SG Ball halfback.
8Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
It could be a full circle if Tuimoala Lolohea returns back to the Wests Tigers after being released by them at the end of the 2018 season.
Underappreciated back then, Lolohea has hit prime form whilst playing with the Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League.
Aged 27, Lolohea has plenty of great years ahead of him. He showed a glimpse of this in the Rugby League World Cup where he was the number one halfback option for Tonga.
In the tournament, the ex-Tiger created two try assists, scored two tries himself, had 107 running metres per game and forced three dropouts with 273.7 average kicking metres.
That’s an imaginative list.
I take it they are all off contract at the end of the year – I’m too lazy to check.
Shaun Johnson is too old for a long-term replacement, and although he is having a great year this year there is no saying he will have a good year next. Ask any Cronulla supporter about his disappointing spell at the club.
Speaking of Cronulla, Daniel Anderson could be worth a punt. He is behind Nico and Tricky Trindall in the halves pecking order, so he might jump at the chance to play first grade, albeit for a struggling club.
The French guy from the Catalans is too big a risk: young, may struggle with the language, different country/culture, struggling team.
Aidan Seezer knows the NRL and could be a sensible pick-up, as could be Loloheaia – or get ’em both ! If not paying a million for Luke, Wests could afford a new guy and a spare.