Welcome to The Fair Dinkum Department - a weekly deep dive into rugby league's hottest issues and whether or not we think they are real or ridiculous.
Canterbury have found themselves in turmoil as the regular season concludes, with a number of issues facing the struggling club heading into 2024.
Elsewhere, there are question marks over Brisbane's decision to rest their big guns in Round 27, while the rugby league world may owe an apology to Brandon Smith.
Here's your weekly look at the biggest issues in the NRL, courtesy of The Fair Dinkum Department.
Check out the full episode in the YouTube links below.
Are there too many leaks in rugby league?
The latest drama in the NRL centres around the Bulldogs, who finished in the bottom-four once again and are now dealing with internal leaks and training punishments.
After similar issues arose at South Sydney recently, it poses the question as to the amount of leaked news in the game right now.
FAIR DINKUM DEPARTMENT - REAL OR RIDICULOUS? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Can a team from outside the top-four win the NRL premiership?
In the NRL era, no team has ever come from outside the top-four to the a premiership and many are backing Brisbane or Penrith to be there on grand final day on October 1st to continue that trend.
But with the recent form of the Knights and Roosters, could the trend finally be bucked?
FAIR DINKUM DEPARTMENT - REAL OR RIDICULOUS? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Was the rugby league world wrong about Brandon Smith?
Brandon Smith has been maligned for a lot of this season, but his recent form since returning from a thumb injury has helped the lead the Roosters to an unlikely finals berth.
While the big-money long-term deal has opened the door for criticism, there may have been a bit of an early crow.
FAIR DINKUM DEPARTMENT - REAL OR RIDICULOUS? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Did the Broncos make the wrong call by resting players?
Heading into the final round of the season, Brisbane were on top of the NRL ladder and two points clear of the Panthers, meaning a victory would have secured their first minor premiership since 2000.
Instead, the club opted to rest some of their biggest stars in Round 27 and will now face a tougher task in the opening weekend of September.
FAIR DINKUM DEPARTMENT - REAL OR RIDICULOUS? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Should Tom Trbojevic move to centre next season?
It's no secret that Tom Trbojevic has struggled with injury for a large chunk of his NRL career - and there's a genuine case to be made for Manly to move their million-dollar man to the centres long-term.
The recent form of both Reuben Garrick and Tolu Koula in the No.1 jumper has only added to the push for Tommy Turbo to find a new home and get back to finals footy in 2024.
FAIR DINKUM DEPARTMENT - REAL OR RIDICULOUS? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Do the Rabbitohs need to sign a new halfback?
The capitulation of South Sydney in the back-half of the season will be analysed for months to come, with an internal review of the club's struggles set to take place.
One man who has come under scrutiny is young halfback Lachlan Ilias and there will be many involved at the Bunnies questioning whether the decision to let Adam Reynolds walk away was the right one.
FAIR DINKUM DEPARTMENT - REAL OR RIDICULOUS? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
