WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Kalyn Ponga of the Cowboys makes a break during the round seven NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys at WIN Stadium on April 15, 2017 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
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.
In: Mahe Fonua (Hull FC, 2019), Tyson Gamble (2019), Tuimoala Lolohea (New Zealand Warriors, 2019), Ben Matulino (New Zealand Warriors, 2020), Chris McQueen (Gold Coast Titans, 2020), Taane Milne (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2019), Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2021), Josh Reynolds (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2021), Corey Thompson (Widnes Vikings, 2019), Alex Twal (Parramatta Eels, 2020), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers, 2018)
The Tigers have recruited with real aggression and have produced some positive results. Josh Reynolds is the exact kind of player they need to partner Luke Brooks in the halves. Ben Matulino and Russell Packer's signatures completely change the look of their forward pack, which was very much needed. Chris McQueen is a handy signing and will add experience and ability in the back row. Lolohea is the prize signing for mine, after hugely underachieving across the Tasman. He will play fullback next season you'd imagine. He's a special player.
Out: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne Storm), Jordan Rankin, Ava Seumanufagai (Cronulla Sharks), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Aaron Woods (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Unfortunately, the Tigers have lost their captain and their best player, as well as Mitchell Moses, three of the four supposed 'big four'. Tedesco is set to become the best number one in the game and is a mammoth loss, but to be honest the Tigers needed a shift in attitude and moving those three players on may provide long-term benefits.
Re-signed: Josh Aloiai (2019), Luke Brooks (2019), Michael Chee-Kam (2019), Jacob Liddle (2019), Matt McIlwrick (2019), David Nofoaluma (2021), Moses Suli (2020)
Brooks re-signed early and was key after the club invested so much in his development. Chee-Kam and McIlwrick are handy players, while Moses Suli looks something special. Nofoaluma's signature was huge and cannot be understated. For mine, he was the fourth member of the ridiculous 'big four'.
Off Contract: Matt Ballin, Joel Edwards, Tim Grant, Watson Heleta, Justin Hunt, Jamal Idris, Jack Littlejohn, Kyle Lovett, Kevin Naiqama
Naiqama aside, the Tigers have achieved the bulk of their re-signings. Expect a few of these to pen new deals, but I'd expect the recruitment spree to continue.
Should Target: Gideon Gela-Mosby, Charlie Gubb, Blake Ferguson
The Tigers look perhaps an outside back short and should have the funds to chase the likes of Blake Ferguson. Whether or not he'll be interested is another story, but young Gela-Mosby might be willing to make a move for regular first-grade football and could be a target. Charlie Gubb would be the kind of young forward who can play off the bench, and wouldn't break the bank.
Grading: B
They lost three big-name players, including a man who will play rep footy for as long as he feels like it in James Tedesco. Aaron Woods, who has the team's postcode on his backside, sees the heart of the club moved on. Mitch Moses has hardly been missed. They are big outs, but the club has worked tirelessly to replace them. In Lolohea they have signed a brilliant fullback. Reynolds is an upgrade on Moses. Matulino and Packer probably cost, combined, just a little over what Woods would have cost them by himself. Nofa is a huge re-signing, with McQueen also a brilliant move. Tedesco aside, they look a better side on paper heading into next season.
In: Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters, 2020), Kalyn Ponga (North Queensland Cowboys, 2021)
The Knights have opted for quality over quantity to date. In Guerra, they have a rep forward with a wealth of experience and plenty to offer. In Ponga, they have signed a genuine game changer. Some say they had to offer him 'overs' to sign, but I think it will be a case of ever cent well spent. Ponga is a freakish talent and a potential decade-plus fullback. They need to get busy, but so far, so good.
Out: Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jarrod Mullen (released)
Mullen's suspension means that neither he nor Trend Hodkinson, the much lauded, Knights halves pairing is a feature right now. The club seems to be looking toward the future, which is a positive. Gagai is a big loss, but to be honest, has never really lived up to his potential in a well-beaten side. He has been a star at Origin level but has been shifted around positon-wise in the Hunter.
Re-signed: Mitchell Barnett (2020), Danny Levi (2020)
Mitch Barnett has been a revelation for Newcastle and deserves his contract extension. Danny Levi is a clever, young number nine with a big future. He needs some bigger, more experienced, forwards leading the way, and an experienced half to take charge of the play. Both are great re-signings.
Off Contract: David Bhana, Brendan Elliot, Jaelen Feeney, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Jacob Gagan, Tom Hughes, Peter Mata'utia, Sam Mataora, Mickey Paea, Pauli Pauli, Will Pearsall, Dylan Phythian, Tyler Randell, Josh Starling, Jack Stockwell, Anthony Tupou, Luke Yates
Expect the Newcastle brass to get busy and look to re-sign the likes of Feeney, Fitzgibbon, Mataora, Pauli, Phythian, and Yates, as well as a few others. I'd expect them to look to sign some more experienced NRL players before looking to re-sign too many others.
Should Target: Blake Ferguson, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Jacob Lillyman, James Roberts
The Knights need that marquee signing. Cooper Cronk is obviously their number one target, but they'll have to pay through the nose and be willing to allow plenty of concessions to be even a shot. Blake Ferguson, at centre or fullback, needs to be made a priority sooner rather than later. Hoffman is the kind of second rower they need. Hundreds of games of experience, plenty to offer, and someone who won't break the bank. Lillyman likewise. They need some size up front or they're long odds to return to finals footy anytime soon, even if they land Cronk or Ferguson. If I were the Knights, I'd ask James Roberts what it would take to sign today, then I'd add $10,000 to that number, shake his hand and sign the deal. He is EXACTLY the player they need.
Grading: C
The Knights need to get busy and sign some more experienced players, especially in the halves and forwards. The two signings to date have been brilliant, and the re-signings two pieces of clever business. They are being patient, which I love, but I would be very surprised if there aren't some big moves very soon. They need a marquee half, that is very obvious. Another forward or two are also needed to join Guerra, Buhrer and Barnett. Expect a few re-signing also. Good so far, but need more.
In: Keegan Hipgrave (Brisbane Broncos, 2018)
Not much in terms of ins, but the club didn't need a huge squad overhaul. They need to recruit more doctors as the casualty ward reached ridiculous proportions. To be honest, I don't know much about young Hipgrave, but fair to say his signing won't replicate the immediate success of Haynes arrival last season.
Out: Chris McQueen (Wests Tigers), Leivaha Pulu (New Zealand Warriors)
McQueen is a big loss but has been a fringe player this season, so won't be felt too harshly. Likewise, Pulu isn't a loss the Titans will celebrate, but it is hardly going to tear their squad apart. As good as McQueen and Pulu are, off contract players elsewhere were rightfully made priorities.
Re-signed: Jarryd Hayne (2018), Konrad Hurrell (2019), Ryan James (2020), Paterika Vaivai (2018)
The Titans have managed to re-sign the big three off-contract stars and have done very well to do so. Hayne probably didn't have a whole lot of options, but his re-signing should be marketed as a monster deal. Hurrell is playing brilliant footy, and Ryan James is a future rep forward. They've done well.
Off Contract: Karl Lawton, Agnatius Paasi, Nathan Peats, Eddy Pettybourne, Tyrone Roberts, Ryan Simpkins, Oshae Tuiasau, William Zillman
I can't believe Will Zillman is off contract. Seems like only yesterday he signed that monster deal with the Titans. I'm not sure if his retention will be met with such fanfare this time despite his talents. Nathan Peats is the deal the club needs to get done. Roberts is playing well.
Should Target: Bodene Thompson
The Titans squad is pretty much complete, but they do look an experienced, hard working second rower short. Bodene Thompson offered that, and more. Given the 'ins' headed to Auckland, it'll be tough to hold onto Thompson, Hoffman or Gubb, so the Titans could pounce there. Thompson should be the one.
Grading: B
The Titans didn't need to recruit big in key areas. Hayne, Taylor, Elgey and Peats are their long-term spine, so Peats re-signing needs to happen, almost at any cost. If they can extend their number nine's deal, they're well set. They have mega talent out wide, and plenty of depth. They look a forward or two short, but names will come up. Re-signing Hayne, Hurrell and James was an obvious priority. Get the Peats deal done now.
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.