Manly hooker Api Koroisau could see the writing on the wall at the NRL club so wasn’t surprised when coach Des Hasler told him he could look elsewhere.
The 26-year-old is set to leave the Sea Eagles at the end of the year, with young hooker Manase Fainu deemed ready to take on the key role in 2020.
Koroisau has received offers from both the Warriors and Canterbury, and an announcement on his future is possible as early as this week.
With Fainu developing Koroisau had anticipated the bad news before being called into Hasler’s office during a recent injury lay-off.
“It wasn’t unexpected, but it was something I haven’t experienced before,” Koroisau told AAP.
“It was more like I had a really good student behind me. My protege was playing some unbelievable footy.
“He is an unbelievable player, he is only 21 and out of all the positions in the squad it’s where we have the depth.
“In my mind I had been playing out that scenario. In the end it came true, but it still doesn’t make any easier to take on the chin.
“It is what it is, footy is footy, it’s a business now and you’ve just got to roll with the punches.”
Koroisau has been with the Sea Eagles since 2016 and has two years left on his contract but Fainu has made an impression while the Fijian international battled foot and ankle injuries.
“I have no bad blood with the club or anything, Des handled it amazingly,” he said.
“He (Hasler) made it very clear he wants me here this year and it instilled a lot of confidence in me.
“That means a lot to me and obviously we are looking to have a big year at the club.”
He and Fainu remain close, with the rookie identifying Koroisau as a valuable mentor on and off the field this season.
“He has taught me a lot and I hope he doesn’t go. I want to keep learning off him,” he said.
“We text each other all the time, call each other and talk about stuff.”