We next analyse the Storm, Roosters, Sharks and Broncos over their recruitment decisions for 2018. Is there a need for mass changes? Who can they recruit to find that advantage?
Related
- 2018 Recruitment Gradings – Tigers, Knights, Titans, Rabbitohs
- 2018 Recruitment Gradings – Bulldogs, Warriors, Raiders, Eels
- 2018 Recruitment Gradings - Panthers, Cowboys, Dragons, Sea Eagles
Without knowing the exact salary cap position of each side, take the suggestions with a grain of salt, but given reports, and common sense, they are players each side would likely be able to recruit.
Cronulla Sharks
In: Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2021), Ava Seumanufagai (Wests Tigers, 2019)
Out: Jack Bird (Brisbane Broncos), Fa'amanu Brown (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Manaia Cherrington (New Zealand Warriors), Daniel Mortimer (Super LEague)
Off Contract: Gerard Beale, Kurt Dillon, Jordan Drew, Paul Gallen, Chris Heighington, Jeremy Latimore, Joseph Paulo, Sam Tagataese, Tony Williams
Re-signed: Kurt Capewell (2019), Sosaia Feki (2019), Wade Graham (2019), Valentine Holmes (2019), Matt Prior (2020), Chad Townsend (2020), Luke Lewis (2018)
The Sharks have swapped like for like in Bird and Dugan in that they've signed a representative right centre to replace one. The fact Dugan also plays fullback presents super value for the signing, given it frees Valentine Holmes to play out wide if needed. Bird aside, the Sharks haven't lost much, and in Seumanufangai they've signed another first grade ready forward. That's a win overall.
Should Target: Blake Ferguson
I threw out a poll recently to see if Sharks fans would welcome back the enigmatic former member of the club, and although the majority agreed his comments before leaving the club overrule his talents, Ferguson's signing would complete a super back-line. His partnership with Dugan at rep level is dangerous to say the least if they were to link up week to week, on field hopefully, there may be no stopping them. It would be a huge punt but could be well worth it.
Grading: A
There has been plenty of debate, but the general feeling is that Dugan is a slight upgrade on Bird, and Ava is a good pick up. The Sharks can certainly live without Brown, Mortimer and Cherrington. It is in the re-signings where the Sharks have laid the groundwork going forward. Capewell is criminally underrated as a player. Feki improves year on year. Wade Graham is a future club captain and NSW mainstay. Chad Townsend is a local boy and premiership-winning halfback. Matt Prior is one of the best value for money props in the game. Valentine Holmes is still the most exciting young player going around. With reported deals for Gallen and Lewis to be announced soon, the Sharks have kept the huge majority of their title-winning side together.
