The NRL has long flirted with the idea of having a loan system, although it has never fully been used throughout the game’s history.

During the coronavirus pandemic, with more players sidelined than ever before, it was used at times, with the New Zealand Warriors in particular benefiting from its existence.

But there has been an ongoing discussion ever since that situation cleared itself up and the game got back to being somewhat normal.

Should a loan system exist, and be used more frequently by clubs?

While it’s commonplace in European football competitions, there are plenty of NRL clubs that could benefit from a rival club’s player for the remainder of 2026.

There are also players who could benefit from a move, extra minutes, a fresh coach and a change of scenery before returning to their current club in 2027.

Here are five players who simply make sense to be elsewhere for the remainder of 2026.

5. Owen Pattie (North Queensland Cowboys)

The North Queensland Cowboys came into 2026 with a new look at dummy half following the departure of Reece Robson and the arrival of Reed Mahoney, who left the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Xavier Kerrisk is in the system and seemingly the man being touted as the club’s long-term dummy half, but whether he is ready to go this year – and indeed ready for any sort of big minutes – is doubtful.

That ultimately means the Cowboys, who do have other utilities they can throw into the nine, but no recognised first-choice option behind Mahoney, are one injury away from disaster.

As it stands, the Cowboys have had an awful start to the year and the jury is out on virtually any player trying to play 80 minutes in the modern, fast-paced version of rugby league as a dummy half.

Pattie, who is now being left out of the Raiders’ side by coach Ricky Stuart to get more minutes at reserve grade level, would benefit from playing in the top grade for the Cowboys, mixing his time between the top side and reserve grade while being the first man in if Mahoney struggles.

The Raiders, on the other hand, have Jayden Brailey, who would likely be the starter if Tom Starling were injured, keeping Pattie to limited minutes.