Bailey Simonsson is desperate to force his way into the Canberra Raiders' starting side as clouds hover over the Green Machine's right edge.
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Jordan Rapana is exploring a stint in Japanese rugby but said a return to the Raiders could be on the cards in the aftermath of the club's heartbreaking NRL grand final defeat.
His inside man in right centre Joey Leilua is exploring his options with Raiders officials content to let him go elsewhere should a rival club come knocking with an attractive offer.
It comes as Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton reportedly knocked back his option on a contract extension beyond the 2020 season in a bid to capitalise on his rising stock.
Wighton is edging closer to his Australian debut having already claimed the Clive Churchill Medal in the grand final and donned a NSW Blues jersey this year.
But the 26-year-old's preference appears to be staying in Canberra, with officials likely to begin negotiating a new deal for 2021 and beyond.
Simonsson has already penned an extension which will keep him in lime green until the end of 2023.
Now he is determined to earn a place in Canberra's starting side having played a key role off the bench in the club's run to the finals.
"Yeah definitely. I'd like to be a permanent in the starting 13," Simonsson said.
"But I'll just keep playing whatever role the coaches want from me and do my best.
"When pre-season comes around I'll rip in like always. We've got a lot of class coming back and a lot of players coming back next year so we'll be right up there again next year if we keep working hard."
Simonsson came on at fullback late in the grand final defeat at the hands of the Sydney Roosters after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad began to cramp up in the midst of a herculean effort.
It is a loss that will fuel the Green Machine as they set their sights on redemption when they link up for pre-season training towards the end of the year.
But right now there is little they can do to escape that gutted feeling after dropping the decider in controversial fashion.
"It's obviously pretty empty," Simonsson said.
"It's never good losing a game let alone a grand final, but we'll take a lot of learnings from that and build into next year.
"Charnze sort of cramped up towards the end so I got my opportunity to come on. Unfortunately there were a few opportunities where we might've been able to steal it at the death.
"But that's footy and it doesn't always go your way and you've just got to deal with it."
Needless to say he would love to see his son claim a premiership ring with a Raiders outfit many believe is building towards something special following a long-awaited grand final appearance.
"I'm very proud of Bailey. You see how much work all the side puts in," Paul said.
"I've never gotten emotional before many times in games, but I was jumping up and down [during the grand final. It was a game of inches.
"A couple of little lapses and that was the turning point I thought. I thought they played enough footy to win it, but the Roosters showed their class and got there in the end.
"I think the nucleus of the side will still be there going forward so hopefully there'll be more opportunities."