Gold Coast Titans skipper Ryan James admits some at the club were stunned to learn of Jai Arrow's exit to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
And the Indigenous All Star suggested the high-profile move may not have been entirely up to Arrow, who will join Wayne Bennett's side in 2021 on a four-year deal.
It ends a long-standing contract limbo for the young Queensland representative, who was allowed to explore his options back in August before the November 1 free agency cut-off date.
Despite speculation he may still link up with the Rabbitohs next season, Arrow remains in Titans colours and has continued training with the side.
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Speaking on Sky Sports Racing's Big Sports Breakfast, James said only when an emotional Arrow addressed the playing group did they know he was Redfern-bound.
"Jai being a Gold Coast kid, I don't think he really wanted to go," James said.
"Nothing he said to anyone around the club hinted the way he was going to go.
"I think it all just happened behind closed doors and in the meetings that no one's part of that made him end up choosing to go down there.
"You can't hold a grudge against anyone he's done it for his best interests."
Throughout the drawn-out contract process, Arrow, a proud Gold Coast local, had insisted his preference was to remain loyal to the Titans.
In the end, the opportunity to fill the shoes vacated by the retired Sam Burgess, and play under former coach Bennett again was too enticing.
Asked if he felt Arrow's emotional exit exemplified the pull that player managers have in the transfer market today, James said: "Yeah, 100 per cent."
"That whole system is being revamped at the moment and there's probably still a long way to go.
"People have all their own opinions on it but it's just one of those things where you can't really do that much about it because player managers have players everywhere and can create their own hype around something or anything that may or may not be happening.
"It's just one of those things in the game that you can't really control because managers have nearly as much pull if not more than the players in rugby league."
The Titans skipper strongly believes Arrow will remain on the glitter strip to play out the final year of his contract, and help the club re-emerge from their shocking 2019 season.
But beyond that James is happy his teammate has his future sorted, and is looking forward to seeing some of the Titans' emerging players fulfill Arrow's legacy.
"He always said he wanted to be part of the Gold Coast but that wasn't to be the best option for him at the end of the day," James said.
"He's just such a great player but an even better person. Souths have snagged themselves someone pretty special there, I wouldn't be surprised if he went on to play the next six to eight years in Origin.
"It's sad to see him go but you can't dwell on what's happened too much and you just have to look at rebuilding.
"We've got some great young talent coming through from the coast as well and hopefully they can come through and push for that spot in 2021."
After sealing the long-term future of Arrow, the Rabbitohs will now turn their attention to Latrell Mitchell.
The out-of-favour Roosters star, whose contract situation has also dragged out, is expected to meet with Bennett in the coming days to discuss a possible one-year deal.
It comes as the Kangaroos and NSW centre knocked back a $1 million approach from the Wests Tigers, after also being told by the Roosters he was not wanted.
