Jayden Berrell is leaving Cronulla before the 2027 NRL season, leaving the Sharks to consider their options as cover for Blayke Brailey.
The League Scene reported Berrell will return to Queensland and seek a contract with a club in that competition needing a hooker.
Brailey made his NSW Blues State of Origin debut this year and is among the competition's best dummy halves, but Cronulla has limited backup.
Berrell has provided cover, while coach Craig Fitzgibbon also used ball-playing lock Hohepa Puru at hooker this season.
Puru is likely to begin 2027 on the bench, and Newtown has Josh Cook, Kobie Wilson, Penaia Leveleve and Xavier Ndaria as possible options.
Zach Dockar-Clary, Zaidas Muagututia and Jake Turpin remain unsigned for 2027 and could be considered for a backup role.
Any signing would be for depth rather than a major acquisition, though cover could matter if Brailey misses games through injury or Origin selection.
Berrell captained Newtown in its NSW Cup grand final loss to Penrith on Sunday. He has played seven first-grade games since joining Cronulla, debuting in 2024; four came this season, all from the bench.