THE State of Origin decider is certain to be Ricky Stuart's swansong with the NSW Blues.
There is too much interest around NRL clubs, which are ready to pounce once the Origin series is over.
Stuart has made no secret of the fact he wants a full-time role.
The Parramatta Eels are now certain to part company with coach Stephen Kearney. It's just a matter of whether it happens within a fortnight or at the end of the season.
There is also constant speculation at the Roosters about Brian Smith's future. Stuart has remained close to Bondi Junction powerbroker Nick Politis.
At St George Illawarra, first-year coach Steve Price is under the pump and so too is David Furner at the Raiders. Stuart's name has been linked to all four clubs in recent days.
The victory over Queensland last Wednesday night has boosted his credentials big time.
On paper, the Maroons have a much stronger outfit but NSW could easily be up 2-0 in the series.
Somehow Stuart has coaxed the best out of struggling club players like Michael Jennings and Jarryd Hayne. Even Greg Bird was playing ordinary footy at the Titans until Stuart backed him to be a Blues leader.
All the players admire and respect him - and they love playing for him.
Stuart has grown as a coach since he left Cronulla towards the end of 2010 in bitter circumstances. He is more mature, more relaxed and more experienced to cope with pressure.
I still say his performance to take the no-frills Sharks to the equal minor premiership with a salary cap-cheating Melbourne Storm and Manly in 2008 was one of the great coaching performances of the modern era.
Better even than his premiership victory in his first year as head coach at the Sydney Roosters.
Of all the clubs, I'd be tipping Stuart to finish up at the Parramatta Eels.
Saturday night's loss to South Sydney proved once and for all a coaching change needs to be made. Kearney is an absolute gentleman and one of the most decent men I've ever met in the game.
Somehow, Parramatta are trying to let him down softly.
They'd like him to resign, negotiate a payout, and then see him continue as the Kiwi Test coach.
Stuart's appointment will be good for the club both on and off the field.
He can get the best out of players like Hayne and Chris Sandow on a week-to-week basis. He can start fresh after the retirement of old-stagers Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt.
He is so highly respected by Origin players that he will have no trouble attracting a couple of big names that are so desperately needed.
In recent years, since the Denis Fitzgerald dismissal, the club has been a public relations nightmare.
Stuart will change all that.
He's very close to the club's harshest critic, radio broadcaster Ray Hadley, who has been absolutely relentless on the board.
Parramatta have to make the move now.
Chairman Roy Spagnolo bumped into Stuart about a month ago at a function. They chatted but it was more a casual conversation than anything else.Spagnolo is fully aware of the interest from other clubs and he is certain to speak to Stuart again, possibly as early as this week.
And this time the talks will be more formal.
