It's the question that's been on the tip of everyone's tongue since basically the start of the 2020 season.

And whether Cameron Smith retires or plays on - in Melbourne, or on the Gold Coast, or even at the Broncos - in 2021 and beyond is still a mystery.

The fate of Smith's future, though, is well and truly in his hands - the immortal-in-waiting could rock up to any club come the start of pre-season training next year and be welcome with open arms, never mind the salary cap squeeze. Make it happen.

But the same can't be said for a stack of other off-contract NRL players.

The 2020 season wrapped up on Sunday with Smith's Storm ending Penrith's 17-game winning streak with a 26-20 result in the grand final at ANZ Stadium, and still there's nearly 60 players currently without a contract in the NRL for next season.

There's just as many who've been told they won't be required by their clubs next season.

And there's around another 30 who have hung up the boots after both long and short careers.

Invariably, some of those players will land in the bush. It happens each year.

Last year, even if it was only for a few months of a 2020 campaign we've not seen the likes of before, Kyle Lovett (Blayney), Daniel Mortimer (CYMS) and Harry Siejka (Mudgee) signed on to play in Group 10.

The year before that Jack Littlejohn linked with the Dragons, while further west Travis Waddell (Wellington) and Justin Carney (Nyngan), too, ventured out to Group 11 to play footy in 2019.

So who'll join them in 2021?

In a perfect world, every Group 10 club is flush with funds from the NRL and there's enough available for every club to land an ex-NRL player each season ... so let's live hypothetically, even if only for a little while.

Which of the current group of retiring NRL players would look good in your club's colours next season?

Workies' pack is always its strength. Big, bullish and always up for the physicality, Lithgow's big men always give their side a chance. But direction is often an issue. King's a quality No.9 who would have no drama getting the Lithgow pack over the advantage line, and when needed could easily slot into first receiver for the mountain men.

Props are gold in the bush. Grab a good one and you're just about a lock to play finals footy. Grab a couple, and a top three spot is on the offering. St Pat's coach Zac Merritt, when fit, is one of those props. Place the likes of a Glasby next to Merritt and the Saints will go marching in.

Strong pack, great fullback, terrific halves with a mix of experience and youth ... Orange CYMS' squad was building nicely in 2020 and on the back of a knockout win at Bathurst confidence was high. COVID-19 cruelled that though. A versatile player like Buhrer would be great for Mortimer's side. He's capable out wide and could easily play in the middle too. An Origin player, too.

Panthers sides have a rich history of snagging top level outside backs, with great success too. Andrew Hinson and Bubba Kennedy was the centre pairing for the club in that break-through title win in 2006. Oldfield fits that bill - a three-quarter with speed to burn is an asset of the highest order in bush footy.

The Bears just need some direction. The club has often had decent forwards and backs that can find the line, but getting around the paddock and putting the icing on the end of a set has been missing. Roberts would suit King George Oval down to the ground.

The Dragons have halves. They've got speed too. And up front, the club is well stocked. But a ball-playing backrower in the ilk of Lowe would be a juicy addition. With State of Origin experience on his resume, and a premiership too during his time in North Queensland, this Queenslander is a player any club would be lucky to have.

Hawks have long chased an outside back who can slot into the fullback role and give them a bit of extra punch from the back. Kevin Locke was close a couple of years back, but it never came to fruition. Gerard Beale would be a great pick-up for the two blues, with experience at the international with New Zealand, and versatility, too.

The easiest one to place out of everyone - Boyd is a Magpies junior and has already moved. Boyd's best is elite. But whether or not the young bull has the drive to continue playing in the bush is the big question. If the Magpies can jag the former Raider then Cowra goes from outside of the five, to a title contender in the blink of an eye.