Pairing Greg Inglis with Mark Gasnier in the centres at the Dragons. Impossible?
When Mark Gasnier returned to the Dragons, it appeared St George Illawarra were effectively locked out of any bidding war for Melbourne Storm's superstars.
However, recent contractual developments suggest chief executive Peter Doust and the board are keeping one eye on developments in the shocking salary cap rorts.
Full coverage of the Dragons So how could the Dragons pay Gasnier about $1.7 million over four years after squeezing him under the salary cap for about $120,000 this season - and still chase the premium Storm talent?
The answer is the club would need to offload at least three and possibly four members of its squad, which would almost certainly include two players who have been household names in Wollongong for the best part of a decade.
Considering the emerging talent coming through the Dragons' ranks and the status of some of their ageing stars, there is a view they could yet chase some stars from Melbourne, including marquee players Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith or Inglis.
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett entrusted the captaincy and No 7 jersey to Ben Hornby in the chase for the premiership that continues to elude the club.
But while a new deal between Hornby and the club was close almost three months ago, he still remains off contract for next year.
The common belief is that Hornby will remain at the Dragons as a reward for being a reliable hand who has played every game since the (c) was put next to his name.
However, there is concern among officials and fans about whether his style is dynamic enough to lead the Red V to the title.
Offloading Hornby, as well as 31-year-old Matt Cooper and New Zealand internationals Jeremy Smith and Jason Nightingale, could open the door to a deal with a Storm superstar.
Smith and Nightingale both have another year to run on their Dragons contracts.
But Smith - who won a title with Melbourne in 2007 before it was stripped by the NRL because of the systematic rorting - has already been told to look elsewhere in 2011.
Cooper has had significant injury worries in the past two years, but is sure to attract interest from cashed up Super League clubs and possibly NRL rivals when he comes off contract at the end of next season.
Queensland second-rower Neville Costigan has already signed with Newcastle, while winger Michael Lett and utility Nick Emmett are also probably on the way out.
The release of more than $1 million of talent would leave enough cash to include Cameron Smith ($650,000), Inglis ($600,000) or Cronk ($400,000) under the cap.
The brilliant form of Darius Boyd means it is unlikely the Dragons would be interested in signing Queensland and Melbourne fullback Billy Slater.
The Mercury has made repeated efforts to contact Doust this week about any pursuit of Melbourne players, but has been unable to speak with the Dragons boss.
Doust has previously denied the delays in Hornby's re-signing were linked to the lengthy negotiations to secure Gasnier's signature for the next 4? years.
But the increasing uncertainty over the future of Hornby and Smith shows the Dragons aren't ready to rule out taking a shot at one of the Storm's superstars.
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