As expected, William Hopoate has announced that he will be pulling on the blue and white of the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in 2016. This was a story that was simmering away under the surface, as behind the big name player speculation Hopoate and his little crew were enduring a legal battle with the Parramatta Eels for the second half of the year with the Bulldogs always favourites to win the race for Hopoate's signature.

For the Eels losing Hopoate is going to hurt, although we never really saw the best of Hopoate during his two-year stint in Parramatta. Fans always want value for money and Hopoate certainly didn't offer that as he struggled to influence games, albeit in an Eels team which wasn't very good last season. The loss of Hopoate should be countered with a greater push for Peta Hiku, who is still looking for a club and with Hopoate gone, I've got Hiku joining the growing crew of former Manly Sea Eagles in Parramatta.

From a Bulldogs perspective they have basically chosen Hopoate over Tim Lafai which itself offers plenty of intrigue. Hopoate should slot in at right centre for the Doggies and as the Bulldogs have a far better forward pack than the Eels, Hopoate should benefit from more time and space as well as more attacking opportunities with off-loads and slick passing from the Bulldogs' forwards. Cue visions of Sam Kasiano rampaging down the right edge with the ball in one hand putting Hoppa into space.

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There isn't too much difference between Hopoate and Lafai as Hopoate's quiet form for the Eels has been balanced out by solid representative displays while Lafai is on the way up and they are fairly similar as players. Des Hasler knows Hopoate very well so that connection plus the fact that Hopoate is still only 23 years old make this a relatively risk-free signing form the Dogs.

This does however put Lafai on the market with the Dragons, Titans, Panthers and Warriors apparently chasing his signature. Lafai's movement will be heavily influenced by what Hiku does as well as recent news of James Roberts stepping away from the Gold Coast Titans after the forged signature drama. Roberts is greater attacking threat than Lafai, Hopoate, Hiku and Dylan Walker so this is a massive development that only complicates an already tricky summer.

Roberts showed with the Titans this season that he can immediately impact a team with speed and power a huge asset to have in the centre position, especially when you're considered one of the fastest players in the NRL. It's odd that Roberts is looking to move on from the Titans after enjoying personal success there and settling down - Roberts has had off-field issues in the past - so expect his personal welfare to be high on the agenda for him and prospective clubs. The same clubs are in the mix for Roberts (Dragons, Eels, Warriors) which means we have an epic game of dominoes waiting to begin.

Here's my gut feeling on how this will play out: Hiku to the Eels, Lafai to Panthers, Roberts to the Dragons/Knights.

There's two clubs that deserve a mention here as well. First the Gold Coast Titans who are now suddenly missing their strike-weapon and could be heavily active in the player market before Christmas. This could see them make big plays for Hiku or Lafai, or it could see them stay quiet and build from within - which isn't a bad thing and the Australian media are fascinated with the need to sign players but the Titans are rebuilding their club, nothing wrong with slow and steady. I wouldn't be too surprised if the Titans didn't sign a replacement for Roberts ... mainly because no one can replace Roberts, he's that good.

Another club that keeps getting mentioned as a possible destination for players is the Warriors. Apparently the Warriors need an outside back, despite having a plethora of players capable of doing the job and they can apparently afford to snap up these players who are on the market. Jim Doyle and the Warriors will be fairly happy with the roster they have right now, especially as they have collected some of the game's best players - which isn't cheap. You may see the Warriors thrown around as a suitor for various players, I'm going to believe it when I see it though.

I'm also weary about the Dragons and their apparent desire for a signing #JustSayin.

In low key signing news, the Eels have snapped up kiwi Honeti Tuha from the Knights and he'll be out to impress over the summer on a Train and Trial contract. The former Fox Memorial Fullback Of The Year looks the goods and hopefully he trains the house down over summer, thrusting himself into the Eels squad for the 2016 season.