After passing the halfway mark of the season, those sides in the bottom few are starting to look to next season.
Below we take a look at those sides including their recruitment to date, and those players who they should target.
Related: 2018 Recruitment Gradings - Bulldogs, Warriors, Raiders, Eels
It's a little bit of fantasy booking per say, and I've tried to keep those potential targets realistic. 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.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
In: Jesse Arthars (Melbourne Storm, 2019), Dean Britt (Melbourne Storm, 2019), Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights, 2021)
In Dane Gagai the Bunnies landed their marquee man, and a solution in the fullback position should Greg Inglis make the expected move back to the centres. Reports indicate they certainly had to pay up to do so, but the Origin star is a man well worth the money. More signings are expected.
Out: Bryson Goodwin (Leigh Centurions)
Bryson Goodwin has been solid again in 2017, but his loss won't break the hearts of Bunnies fans. He has been a brilliant servant to the club and deserves his new deal in England. Souths have invested in their young players, and they will now be given a chance to move on through.
Re-signed: Campbell Graham (2019), Mawene Hiroti (2019), Alex Johnston (2020), Siosifa Talakai (2019), Kyle Turner (2019
Fans in the Burrow can breathe a sign of relief, as it looked for a time as though Alex Johnston may walk across Sydney to the Sharks. His re-signing is the jewel in the crown and should provide some confidence. Kyle Turner is a versatile player and a good man to have locked in. Look for the Bunnies to re-sign Sutton, and that is about it.
Off Contract: Anthony Cherrington, Jack Gosiewski, Aaron Gray, Brett Greinke, Luke Kelly, Dane Nielsen, Robbie Rochow, John Sutton, David Tyrrell
John Sutton's new deal is likely only a matter of formality, and I can't see him playing anywhere else in his remaining seasons. Aaron Gray looks as though he will be wearing black, white and blue next season. They may re-sign some others on this list, but their 2018 side looks pretty much set.
Should Target: Jeremy Lattimore, Lachlan Fitzgibbon
I can't see the Bunnies have a whole lot, if any cap space left for 2018 given the names on their roster, the upgrade to Johnston and the Gagai signing, but they look a forward short. Either Lattimore or Fitzgibbon could offer plenty of youth and ability to a slightly ageing pack and would present value.
Grading: C
A pass or the Bunnies after the re-signing of Alex Johnston and the announcement of Dane Gagai's arrival. Their current side has massively underperformed thus far and is capable of far better. The injury to Greg Inglis hurt massively, with Code Walker moved out of position. Gagai's signing fills a problem position, but not too much else is needed. They need to get more out of their stars in the Burgess twins, Adam Reynolds and co, before they look elsewhere.
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