The NRL rarely stands still.
Between training sessions, media appearances, and behind-the-scenes conversations, new storylines often begin to emerge before the weekend arrives.
Throughout the week, ESPN will be gathering notes, insights, and updates from around the competition as clubs prepare for Round 9.
McInnes considers his future
Off-contract Sharks star Cameron McInnes has spoken on his future beyond this season, with a decision set to be made in the coming weeks.
"Hopefully in the next few weeks we'll get [a new deal] sorted," McInnes said.
"All I know is I'm keen to keep playing for a while longer."
While he admitted his preference is to remain in Cronulla, he understands his future likely lies elsewhere.
"Oh, I'd love to stay here, but I'm also aware of all circumstances with the club," he shared.
When asked about his thoughts on potentially playing for the PNG Chiefs, he conceded that it would be "cool to be part of an expansion club."
McInnes also touched on the growth of Jesse Colquhoun, admitting that his emergence at the Sharks may play a role in his own departure.
"[His growth] is probably why it's hard for me to get a contract here," he laughed.
"There's an old saying... 'if you don't give your spot up, they can never sign someone in your place.'"
"Mentally - not too happy": Wilton gives blunt update
After missing the start of the season with injury, Teig Wilton return to the Sharks' lineup a few weeks ago.
While he's happy to be back and feeling fit, he admitted it hasn't been smooth sailing upon his return.
"Body's feeling good, but mentally not too happy after the performance on the weekend," he shared.
The Sharks have had a shaky start to the year, but Wilton has full confidence that the club will turn things around.
"I'm very confident," he said of his belief in a Cronulla turnaround.
He shared that the Sharks' brand of footy is up there with the best when it's clicking.
"Our speed of play and style of play [is what makes us so dangerous]," Wilton identified.
"Our balance across the park is pretty strong... We just want to get back to being us."
Backing Bailey Hayward
Jake Turpin says that despite starting in the No. 9 jumper for the Bulldogs over the weekend, Bailey Hayward will remain as Canterbury's main hooker.
"I'm here to help Bailey out," Turpin said of his role.
"Bailey has had a great start to the year, I'm just filling in that role to help him out at the moment, but it's his position."
When asked if he sees Hayward as a long-term hooker in the NRL, he simply answered, "100% I do."
Crichton vs. social media
Stephen Crichton admitted that he stays off social media before and after NRL games, and was surprised to learn that Jarome Luai had met with the PNG Chiefs over the weekend.
"I haven't been on social media since the [Broncos] game," Crichton shared.
"[I stay off social media] 24 hours before a game and 24 hours after the game."
When asked about Luai's reported meeting with the Chiefs, he said "that is a random one."
Critta at halfback?
Stephen Crichton has declared he is open to playing halfback for the Bulldogs if asked, but believes he hasn't been good enough at centre to warrant a change into the halves.
"Yeah [I'd play halfback] if called upon, I've had a few reps there," he admitted.
"But there's still a few things I need to learn and take away from the review... I didn't play my best on the weekend, so I'm not really looking to try and do someone else's job when I can't even do mine right now."
Kikau misses training with injury
Canterbury back-rower Viliame Kikau did not train with the Bulldogs on Monday, following a pec injury suffered during the club's loss to the Broncos last Friday.
He will be sent for scans on Tuesday to survey the damage of the injury.
Robson's increasing impact
Roosters recruit Reece Robson had arguably his best game at the club over the weekend; a performance that his teammates saw coming.
"He's such a rock in the middle, he's done so much for our forward pack," Angus Crichton said of Robson's impact.
"His training and his mentality around the way he plays - he adds so much to our team.
"He's a hard man. He stands there in the middle and tackles for 80 minutes, and still has the energy to rip out long balls and take those carries."
'Bigger. Better. Faster': Nawaqanitawase on his growth
Mark Nawaqanitawase may be departing the Sydney Roosters at season's end, but he won't be leaving empty handed, with the star outside back admitting he's taking a ton of knowledge with him back to rugby.
"[I'm] bigger, better [and] faster... I've obviously learnt a lot," he said.
"My physical aspect, I'm able to do a lot more.
"Just defensively as well, I've learned so much. I know it'll make me a better player wherever I go."
While emotional about the prospect of leaving, the Roosters star knows he has a job to do in 2026, which may include a NSW Blues call-up.
"It's always nice to get a high honour [like an Origin nod]... I was lucky enough to go the Blues preseason camp earlier in the year," he revealed.
"It's always been something I've wanted to do, so if it happens, it happens."
His teammate Angus Crichton, who will also leave the club at the end of the year, was equally optimistic about a potential Blues opportunity in 2026, admitting he "strives to be in that arena" again.
Will Sam Walker walk?
Sam Walker has been a staple in this Roosters side for half a decade, and it's hard to imagine him playing anywhere else.
"Uh no [I can't see myself playing anywhere else]," Walker admitted.
"I'm really comfortable at the Sydney Roosters."
He touched on the latest reports around Jarome Luai and the PNG Chiefs, and admitted while he's interested to see how things play out for the newest franchise's recruitment, he's "not phased" by the talk around PNG's tax-free contracts or the prospect of leaving the Roosters right now.
Despite being comfortable at the club as a whole, the dynamic halfback shared that he doesn't feel the same with the team's current standing in the competition, declaring that the Roosters are still "chasing an 80 minute performance."
"We're getting very close," he said.
"There's a few points that we didn't need to leak there [against the Dragons], there's a few work-on's there."
