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 heading into Round 27 of the NRL.
Bears eye Dragons hooker
The Perth Bears have expressed interest in signing St George Illawarra hooker Connor Muhleisen as they continue to build their inaugural NRL roster.
Muhleisen is off-contract at the end of the season and has emerged as an option for the Bears, who are continuing to scour the market for players ahead of their 2027 entry into the competition.
ESPN understands Perth have shown interest in the 25-year-old, although the Dragons have also indicated they are open to retaining the local junior beyond this season.
Muhleisen has spent his entire career in the Dragons system and made his NRL debut for the club in 2023.
Skelton form sparks rival interest
Off-contract Wests Tigers winger Jeral Skelton is beginning to attract interest from rival clubs after an impressive finish to the season.
Skelton has produced some of his best football over the past fortnight, crossing for three tries across his past two appearances while providing the Tigers with plenty of punch coming out of their own end.
The powerful outside back carried the ball 20 times for 152 metres in the Tigers' clash with the Roosters, backing up a 130-metre performance against North Queensland.
ESPN understands Skelton's recent form has begun to generate interest around the NRL as clubs assess their outside-back options for next season.
Lawrie lands new club
170-game Dragons veteran Blake Lawrie has landed his next destination, with sources informing ESPN that he's agreed to a three-year deal with the York Knights in the Super League.
After it was announced by St George Illawarra that he'd be departing the club at the end of the 2026 season, ESPN can reveal he is bound for England.
He had garnered interest from the Catalans Dragons, before opting to sign with the Knights.
Lawrie will be named in the No. 10 jumper for the Red V in his final game as a Dragon this weekend.
Sloan's future may yet be in red and white
Doubt has clouded Tyrell Sloan's move to the Castleford Tigers in 2027, and while he says he "still signed a contract" and intends to honour it at his next club, the prospect of returning to the Dragons remains a possibility to him.
"Honestly, my manager works hard, and he's really good at his job," he said when asked if there's any conversations around a potential backflip to remain at the Red V.
"Whatever happens, it's going to be for the best reason and again, I've signed a contract, so I do want to make that clear."
He went on to say he hopes that this weekend won't be his last as a Dragon.
