FIRST James Tamou left for Penrith.

Now Ben Hannant has been forced into early retirement - so what does that mean for North Queensland’s forward pack in 2017 and recruitment strategy?

With the premature exit of Hannant giving the Cowboys about $150,000 to play with, they have several options to consider.

They can:

Round 20

• Play save the money and play with what they’ve got

• Sign a fringe forward to boost their stocks

• Make a play for a under contract forward and push for an early release

Here are the scenarios and how they could play out:

SAVE THE MONEY FOR A BIG DOG

Over 52 forwards are off-contract next season including the likes of Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean, Ryan James, Dylan Napa, Adam Blair, Ben Matulino, Ava Seumanufagai and Aaron Woods.

It’s no secret the club are keen on Melbourne prop McLean.

The 25-year-old is one of the best promising young forwards in the game.

Jordan McLean of the Storm in action. Source: AAP

The Storm have a difficult job ahead of them with Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Will Chambers, Dale Finucane, Tohu Harris, Felise Kaufusi, Suliasi Vunivalu and McLean all coming off contract.

You’d have to image that the club won’t be able to keep them all.

This leaves the Cowboys as a serious threat to McLean but there’s no doubting that he won’t be the only one on their hit-list.

EARLY RELEASE

With the off-contract list for 2016 offering up slim pickings, the Cowboys’ most likely option is to make a play for someone already under contract.

Foxsports.com.au reported earlier in the year that the club was chasing exciting Warriors forward Charlie Gubb.

The Warriors however had an option on Gubb for 2017 and took that up, blocking talk of an early exit.

But there’s no shortage of clubs trying to push players out the door.

Charlie Gubb of the Warriors is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Newcastle have made no secret of their desire to get Jack Stockwell off their books for 2017 thanks to his hefty salary.

The Cowboys were one of a handful NRL clubs who showed interest in the former Dragon who has been linked to the Super League too.

Wests Tigers prop Joel Edwards is another player who has been quietly shopped around as the Tigers prepare to fight for the retention of their brightest young stars.

The 28-year-old made eight games appearances in the top grade in 2016.

Manly’s Brenton Lawrence has also been told he’s free to leave the club if he can secure his long-term future elsewhere.

Brenton Lawrence listens at Sea Eagles headquarters. Source: News Corp Australia

Throw in Canberra lock Shaun Fensom, Canterbury forward Lloyd Perrett and Eels forward David Gower who are also free to explore their options and there are options available if the Cowboys were interested.

STICKING TIGHT

While they’ve lost two of their most experienced men, the Cowboys do have a host of promising young guns climbing the ranks.

With John Asiata and Coen Hess set for bright futures in the backrow and all but certainties for the bench, it will be down to Patrick Kaufusi, Sam Hoare and rookie Braden Uele to fight for the remaining two spots in the squad.

Kaufusi is expected to be the man Paul Green will call on, with the 22-year-old needed to step up in 2017.

Ethan Lowe and Patrick Kaufusi training. Source: News Corp Australia

Kaufusi has played 13 career games, while Hoare spent 2016 sidelined with a knee injury but will be pushing for a bench spot next season.

The 25-year-old made his NRL debut back in 2014 and has played 14 games.

WITHOUT AN NRL DEAL FOR 2017

Former Cowboy and Manly utility Blake Leary knocked back interest from the Super League in order to remain in Australia.

He’s signed a deal with Cowboys feeder club Townsville after 27 games over two seasons with the Sea Eagles.

While he’s not a forward, he can play lock or backrow.

If Paul Green was willing to move Jason Taumalolo into the starting forward spot alongside Matt Scott, that would open up an opportunity for Leary at lock.

We must stress – this is purely hypothetical.

Alternatively, they could start Scott Bolton and shift Taumalolo into the forwards when the starting props come off for a break.

That same scenario could play out if they were to make a play for Wests Tigers lock Elijah Taylor.

The former Kiwi international is close to re-signing with the Tigers but technically remains a free agent.

Tigers Elijah Taylor goes off the field. Source: News Corp Australia

If you look to the Intrust Super Cup, former Rooster turned Super League journeyman Setaimata Sa is running around with Mackay next season.

He’s a former Kiwi international but also a backrower. Former Broncos and Titans prop David Hala has joined Redcliffe after an injury interrupted few seasons.

Veteran forward Matt White is still without a deal for next season after finishing up with Melbourne.

A former Knight and Titan, White has over 150 NRL games to his name and looms as a cheap option if the Cowboys decide to walk that path.