Roosters playmaker Sandon Smith has been given permission to negotiate with rival NRL clubs and potential suitors are already beginning to circle.
The 22-year-old has already reportedly held talks with the Canberra Raiders and now powerbrokers around the league are lining up to have their crack at luring the future star.
Growing up playing touch football, Smith's 45 NRL games have revealed his instinctual abilities and penchant for game-breaking moments.
Wide World of Sports is reporting that Smith's manager, Gavin Orr, has already heard rumblings from at least four other NRL teams with interest in the Roosters five-eighth.
"Canberra, the Cowboys, Dragons, Souths and Newcastle have all asked me where things are at with Sandon," he said.
The Sporting News breaks down which of those clubs would be the best fit for Sandon Smith.
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Ranking the best team fits for Sandon Smith
5. Newcastle Knights
The Knights are the most surprising team on the list provided by Smith's management, given that they've just handed out the most lucrative contract in NRL history to Dylan Brown, who plays the same position.
Peter O'Sullivan and Adam O'Brien already have a difficult job managing their spine, which will consist of Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Brown, Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Tyson Gamble, Matt Arthur and Matthew Hunter.
If Smith ends up leaving the Roosters, it will be in search of a better opportunity to play regular first grade. But with the logjam at the Knights, it seems like a lateral move.
4. Canberra Raiders
The Raiders interest in Smith would only make sense if he is released from his Roosters contract a year early.
Ricky Stuart has uncovered a gem at five-eighth, with Ethan Strange looking destined for representative honours after the season he's had.
At halfback, Jamal Fogarty is joining the Sea Eagles in 2026, leaving a vacancy which most Raiders fans are hoping Ethan Sanders will step into without a hitch.
However, if powerbrokers in the nation's capitol believe Sanders isn't quite ready for primetime, they could leave him to develop in reserve grade while Smith comes in on a short-term 'prove it' deal; opening the possibility of a move to Perth once they enter the competition in 2027.
3. St. George Dragons
Wollongong has been a black-hole for halves in recent seasons. They go there for an opportunity and then seemingly disappear from the collective consciousness of rugby league fans.
Players like Jayden Sullivan, Junior Amone, and most recently Lachlan Ilias, have all failed to gain control of the halves jerseys up for grabs.
Lyhkan King-Togia has had a solid year in the number six for the Red V and is likely to hold onto that jumper for at least next season.
That leaves the halfback spot, currently occupied by Kyle Flanagan, who the club's own CEO already admitted wasn't brought to the club to play that position.
That could be a viable opening for Smith, however, his best position isn't as a game-managing halfback which could be a recipe that sets him up for failure if he chooses to play there for the Dragons.
2. North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys would be a solid landing spot for Smith, who could pair with Tom Dearden as the long-term halves duo in Townsville.
Complications begin to arise when you factor in the prospects of Jaxon Purdue, who Todd Payten has been eager to fast-track into the number six jersey, despite the best moments of his young NRL career coming from his minutes at centre.
However, Payten may not be long for the head coaching role in North Queensland, and a new regime could look at the youth and attacking upside of a Scott Drinkwater, Smith and Dearden combination, as the best answer to their spine problem.
Regardless of who's calling the shots for the Cowboys in the coming years, a move to Townsville may be an appealing proposition for Smith.
1. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs are first on this list because they're the best match of opportunity and positional fit.
Cody Walker is in the final year of his contract with the club, and Smith could be the perfect succession plan for the legendary South Sydney number six.
The 35-year-old has missed significant time this year for the Rabbitohs due to a series of soft tissue injuries.
Wayne Bennett may have just uncovered their next primary ballplayer in 74kg rookie Ashton Ward. A Smith-Ward halves duo could be the next long-term halves combination in Redfern.