Heta said yesterday he planned to move to the city, with Newcastle one of the most likely destinations for the three-time premiership player.

“I think I’ve done my spell here,” Heta said.

“I’ll probably move on.

“It will be in the city somewhere.

“I will make a decision in the next week or so.”

Heta was one of Albury’s stars in its phenomenal run over the past three seasons, with the New Zealander saying it was a difficult decision to leave Greenfield Park.

He laughed off speculation he could line-up for a rival Group 9 club.

“I couldn’t play against Albury,” he said.

Heta returned to Albury yesterday after playing in a national Maori competition in New Zealand.

Thunder coach Ben Jeffery faces a busy off-season, with the star fullback needing to fill holes left by Lou Goodwin, Mitch Davis, Jake Grace, Daniel Jacobs and Heta.

Several prospective recruits are believed to be in the pipeline.

Fellow premiership contenders Southcity and Gundagai have also been hit hard since the end of the season.

The Bulls have lost coach Daniel Fitzhenry, while Tigers’ star Rulon Nutira has joined St George-Illawarra.

Cootamundra has been the biggest mover with Ben and Tom Warner crossing from Brothers and Dave Buttriss coming out of retirement.

Meanwhile Thunder president Rick O’Connell has been elected for an 11th term.

Training starts on November 18.