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.
Melbourne Storm
In: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Wests Tigers, 2020), Sam Kasiano (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2020)
Out: Jesse Arthars (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Dean Britt (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tohu Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys), Cooper Cronk (Sydney/retirement)
Off Contract: Slade Griffin, Jeremy Hawkins, Nate Myles, Mark Nicholls, Billy Slater
Re-signed: Jesse Bromwich (2022), Kenny Bromwich (2020), Will Chambers (2020), Dale Finucane (2021), Ryley Jacks (2018), Felise Kaufusi (2019), Joe Stimson (2019), Suliasi Vunivalu (2018), Christian Welch (2019), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (2019)
Melbourne have to say goodbye to one of the two elite halves of the modern era, as well as a rep second rower and a talented prop forward on the fringe of making his rep debut. With no first grade, ready arrivals signed, that looks like signs of worry. Well, if anyone other than Craig Bellamy was in charge perhaps. They managed to re-sign Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Will Chambers, Dale Finucane, Felise Kaufusi, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Suliasi Vunivalu, all important players to their 2018 campaign. Expect another signing or two before the end of the season.
Should Target: Bodene Thompson
The Storm have ready-made replacements for almost everyone, but they do look a second rower short for 2018. They need someone with experience to replace the departing Harris, yet probably can't afford a walk-up rep level player. Thompson has a single Kiwi cap to his name but is arguably at that level. I don't know if the sums would add up, or if Thompson would even be interested, but I can see him turning into a New Zealand test regular under Bellamy if he were to make the move.
Grading: C
If any other club had lost the likes of Cronk, Harris and McLean, I'd say write them off for next season, but the Storm are a rule unto themselves in this case. They get a C grading thanks to their incredible list of re-signings. Arguably the best prop in the game, a regular rep centre, the game's most improved back rower, and the game's most potent try-scorer, not a bad round up. It will be interesting to see what Craig Bellamy can do with Sam Kasiano's size.
