After seven seasons and 147 matches for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Ben Hunt's time at the club has come to an end after he was released from the final season of the contract.
His departure means that the Dragons will need to prepare for life without him and will produce a new halves combination next season and beyond as they aim to reach the NRL Finals series once again.
Zero Tacklesย takes a look at ten realistic options that Shane Flanagan and the Dragons could choose to replace the Australian Kangaroos and QLD Maroons representative.
All the players on the list are either without a contract for next season, have been linked with the club or rival teams, have an 'NRL clause' in their contract, or are currently playing at the Dragons.
The options include seven rival NRL players, two Super League playmakers and one player who is currently involved with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Already linked with a move to the St George Illawarra Dragons alongside teammate Braydon Trindall, the Cronulla Sharks are unlikely to offer both players extensions beyond their current deal as they also have to re-sign the likes of Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.
Out of the two players, the 23-year-old Atkinson is set to be moved on and won't find it difficult to secure a contract with a new team. An under-rated playmaker, he impressed in limited matches in the NRL and has shown that he has a long future in the competition.
Although he is unlikely to be at the Sharks beyond next season, it is hard to see Craig Fitzgibbon and the club replacing him before the expiration of his contract due to him being a vital piece in the club's run to the NRL Finals series in 2024.
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"It's unreal. You never know when your chance is going to pop up, so when it pops up, you've got to take it with both hands," Atkinson toldย Zero Tackle earlier this season.
"My position is just on the footy field. The goal for me moving forward is just to play good, consistent footy, wherever that is.
"Whether at Newtown or whether Fitzy trusts me in the first-grade squad, no matter what jersey I put on, I'm always going to put my best foot forward. You tell me to do something, and I'll do it."
Pezet on loan for 12 months looks sensible, as does developing their home grown guy, King Togia. Developing your own (cheap) talent is the Penrith and Cronulla strategy, and that alone is a recommendation for the strategy.