The NRL rarely stands still.
Between NRL 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 21 of the NRL.
Bulldogs halves
Cameron Ciraldo has addressed the question marks around his halves selections, insisting that Lachlan Galvin has always been the halfback and that there was never any doubt that Stephen Crichton would return at five-eighth.
"No [there wasn't any consideration to leave Sean O'Sullivan in the halves]," Ciraldo said on Friday.
"Critta went pretty well against the Titans."
When asked if he views Crichton in more of a halfback role, Ciraldo was quick to shut it down.
"Critta plays at No. 6," he said.
"I don't know what you're getting at, Critta's the five-eighth and Lachie's the halfback.
"Lachie was the halfback last week, it's not that confusing."
Doueihi the Bulldog?
Adam Doueihi's situation at the Wests Tigers has grown troublesome in recent days following a dispute with the coaching staff around his best position.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has said that the club has no interest in pursuing Doueihi, should he ever be made available.
"No thanks," he responded when asked if he'd be interested in acquiring Doueihi.
Gutho reveals post-career goals
Gearing up to play his 250th NRL match this weekend, Clint Gutherson admits he's still got a bit left in the tank, he also has aspirations to coach after retirement.
"I'd love to be part of a coaching staff and a team," Gutherson shared.
"I'd love to be a back-five coach or something, but hopefully that's down the track.
He also admitted that Brad Arthur has been his greatest mentor throughout his career, describing him has a "second dad" to him.
"I had Brad at Parramatta for a decade there, and I was very lucky to have him," he said.
"He was like a father to me, a second dad they used to call it, and I love that bloke with everything I got."
Dolphins youngster eyeing new deal
ESPN can reveal that Central Queensland Capras lock Tane Kiriona, who is enjoying a breakout year in QLD Cup, is beginning to receive significant interest from multiple NRL clubs as he looks to secure his future.
Most recently having trained with the Dolphins during their preseason and having a QLD U19s selection on his resume, Kiriona is expected to make a decision on his future soon as multiple clubs continue vying for his signature.
Off-contract Panther opens up
Panthers gun Blaize Talagi has lifted the lid on his future as he nears the November 1 free agency period, admitting his situation feels different in Penrith than it did when he was negotiating a new deal at Parramatta.
"It does feel different [than it did at the Eels as] I'm enjoying my footy," he started.
"Not that I wasn't last time, but things are going well and obviously you don't want to change things that are going well."
He admitted he feels he's "built a home" for himself at Penrith, while adding that the club's myriad of off-contract stars are handling
No return for Kenny
Mitch Kenny will not return this week from his long injury layoff for the Panthers against the Eels, with Ivan Cleary admitting there's no clear timeline for his recovery.
"No, he won't see him this week," he said.
"There's no timeframe.
"He's going all right, so we're not going to rush him."
"GOAT of Deception": Tigers' praise for Api
Emerging Tigers hooker Jared Haywood has thrown his appreciation behind skipper Api Koroisau, who he says has been huge in his development.
"He's the GOAT of deception," Haywood declared.
"I feel like it's something to my game I'm always trying to improve.
"I'm just trying to learn his ways about how he manipulates the ruck, when he plays the markers and stuff like that.
SOS for SOS?
Sean O'Sullivan is not expected to retain his halves jersey following Stephen Crichton's return to the side, despite the veteran half's admission that he'd like to nail down a starting role.
"Ideally I'd love to be starting... I'm really confident in what I can bring to a team and especially at the Bulldogs," he said.
He admitted his future beyond 2026 is undecided, however, is unsure where reports of a Super League switch emerged from.
"I'm not really sure [we're I'll be playing] to be honest," he started.
"Obviously I'm super happy here and I love being at the Bulldogs.
"But yeah, the [Super League move] but yeah that was all news to me."
If Crichton does not make it back in time for this weekend's clash with the Warriors, O'Sullivan will be happy to partner up with Lachlan Galvin again.
"Me and Lachie have got on really well since I've come to the Bulldogs and I think he's a super kid," O'Sullivan said.
"He comes from a really good family and I really love him as a kid and as a player.
"I was excited that we got to play again together, and I think we complement each other really well.
"He kind of lets me do what I do well, and he can just run around like a headless chook."
Bulldogs' brutal finger injury
ESPN caught up with Jaeman Salmon following the Bulldogs' 32-0 thrashing of the Tigers, with the forward's finger heavily strapped up and looking swollen.
The polarising Bulldog revealed he'd had surgery earlier in the week, and his finger was completely numb.
"I had a tendon operation two weeks ago and then had it again on Monday," Salmon shared.
"I had a tendon stuck in the joint so they had to fish it out and then last week it split open again in the game, so I needed surgery again."
When asked if he will be needing further treatment to the wound, he was hopeful that this was the last of it.
"Let's hope the stitch isn't open, otherwise I'm going back for surgery for the third time in two weeks."