Parramatta is set to make a play for North Queensland superstar Kalyn Ponga, believing the rising rookie is the last missing piece in their quest for a drought-breaking premiership.
Ponga is contracted to the Cowboys until the end of next year, but will be one of the hottest young talents on the open market. The 18-year-old can officially field interest from rival clubs from November 1 and it is understood Canterbury, St George Illawarra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast are already preparing to battle the Cowboys for his signature.
The unprecedented interest extends to the representative arena, where the Kangaroos and Kiwis are in a tug of war for his services.
While the Cowboys are hoping to groom the teenage tyro into Johnathan Thurston's long-term replacement, the freakish fullback is no certainty of remaining on the northern side of the Tweed River.
Parramatta have already secured the services of their own exciting custodian, Bevan French, until the end of 2018. The blue and golds have earmarked French as the long-term replacement for Jarryd Hayne, but believe Ponga could be an exciting addition to their spine. Eels officials believe Ponga could make the transition from fullback to five-eighth, where he could play alongside established star Corey Norman.
The Eels have already re-signed the majority of a roster that would have made the finals had it not been docked 12 competition points for salary cap cheating, as well as adding Josh Hoffman, Nathan Brown, Siosaia Vave, Kirisome Auva'a and George Jennings to the 2017 stable.
However, they believe they are just one quality playmaker short of becoming a genuine premiership contender and have earmarked Ponga as one of the targets at the top of their wish list.
The Eels had previously been linked to Adam Reynolds, but the NSW halfback has recently re-signed with South Sydney. Speculation that Bronco Ben Hunt – also off contract at the end of 2017 – could shift to the Eels is unlikely to subside after Benji Marshall officially signed with Brisbane on Friday.
Some big-name playmakers remain unsigned beyond 2017, with the market expected to heat up in coming months. Thurston, Shaun Johnson, Mitchell Pearce, Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, Jack Bird, Kieran Foran, Josh Reynolds, Gareth Widdop and Tyrone Roberts are just some of the marquee playmakers who will be fair game in just over a week's time.
However, few will have as much upside as Ponga, who is still eligible for the National Youth Competition for a further two seasons. While he has only played two NRL games, it's expected Queensland officials will name him in one of their emerging camps in the hope he will pledge his allegiance to the Maroons and Australia.
But he is yet to decide whether to go down that path or represent New Zealand, for whom he qualifies through his parents.
Ponga was unmanaged until a fortnight ago before choosing boutique agency Rush Sports to handle his upcoming contract negotiations.
