Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has a simple message for the crop of Green Machine front-rowers eyeing Junior Paulo's spot: "Performance will make those decisions easy."
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But even then it won't be handed to them on a platter with Stuart confirming the Raiders are "definitely going to be buying more middles".
The NRL's worst kept secret is out with Paulo officially joining the Parramatta Eels on a mammoth four-year deal worth almost $3 million beginning in 2019 as the game's front-row carousel clicks into gear.
The news comes as the Green Machine look to revive their season against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
The confirmation of Paulo's departure comes after fellow Raiders prop Shannon Boyd inked a four-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans reportedly worth about $2.4 million.
But Stuart says it isn't that simple, because they will have fresh competition next year with signings to be announced in the coming weeks.
"That’s their choice, we’re losing two front-rowers now so we will be buying more front-rowers," Stuart said.
"The current crop of front-rowers, it’s up to them to show me they’re going to keep their positions within the spot. But we’re definitely going to be buying more middles.
"We’ve got a number of blokes still off-contract and it’s a matter of them confirming they’re going to be here.
"We’ve got an offer out there at the moment for Dunamis and there are still decisions to be made with other people.
"We’re in the position that performance will definitely make those decisions easy."
Lui is edging closer to penning an extension with the Raiders while Gubb started ahead of Boyd against the St. George Illawarra Dragons last week.
Raiders recruitment manager Peter Mulholland is on the lookout for new new front-rowers but he won't rush to fill the void until the interchange cap is settled upon.
The NRL competition committee has met to discuss the possibility of reducing the number of interchangs from eight to six, which would put big-minute forwards in demand.
It means the likes of Josh Papalii, Elliott Whitehead and Joe Tapine would prove even more valuable for the Green Machine, given they power through heavy workloads.
The Green Machine is already getting a chance to adjust to life after Paulo with the 24-year-old set to be out of action until at least round 18 with a foot injury.
The Raiders have turned their attention to locking in Papalii, Aidan Sezer, Siliva Havili and Lui with all four deals seemingly a matter of nailing down lengths and clauses.
Paulo has been linked to a return to western Sydney for more than a month with the announcement a matter of "when", not "if".
Paulo's return to Parramatta - where he played 53 games from 2013 to 2016 - will bring down the curtain on the Samoan international's two-and-a-half year stint in Canberra.
He will add some much-needed size and strength to Eels coach Brad Arthur's pack, which has been lacking for the last-placed side many tipped to be a premiership contender this year.
"I'm looking forward to having Junior back at Parramatta," Arthur said.
"It is always great to have a local Parramatta Eels junior return to our club and I know Junior will be an asset to our team next year."
The Eels could be bracing for a massive changing of the guard in the forward pack with Paulo's arrival set to coincide with the potential retirement of veteran Beau Scott.
NRL ROUND 12
Friday: Canberra Raiders v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
