The 2023 season now seems like it ended many, many months ago.
With a large number of players returning to pre-season training, attention has quickly and firmly turned to the 2024 campaign.
With a new season comes new hope, new opportunities and most importantly of all, new recruits!
Today I'm going to rank the ins, outs and re-signings of each of the clubs who finished outside of the finals in 2023.
Not every player will be mentioned, just the ones I see making an impact.
9. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Major ins: Jack Wighton, Sean Keppie
Major outs: Hame Sele, Blake Taaffe
Re-signed: Jai Arrow, Thomas Burgess, Damien Cook, Campbell Graham, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Tevita Tatola, Cody Walker
I am fully aware of the fact Souths missed the finals last year. I cannot understand it, I don't know how it happened, but here we are.
The Bunnies boast a title contending squad. A squad they've managed to largely hold onto for the forseeable future.
Keon Koloamatangi's re-signing is a huge lift for the club. He would have been chased by 10 clubs if allowed to hit the open market.
A host of big names have been retained including their three stars in the spine.
Loss wise, both Sele and Taaffe played their part but will receive better opportunities at their new clubs.
Sean Seppie is a very handy pickup.
Jack Wighton though is a future altering signing. His move into the centres gives them one of the game's best centre pairings.
It's frightening to think this side just landed an Origin level player.
I can't see a world where they miss the Finals in 2024.
Grade: A
Jeez Dan – Get Terry to proof-read the content before you publish it !
Wraps for Raps (did the guy arrive in a big ball of cotton-wool?)
They’re for Their
Due for Duo
Broncos for Bronson etc
Anyway:
– D for the Dragons is really mean. They’ve got rid of Hook and signed Flanagan Senior. They haven’t let Ben Hunt walk. The attitude and motivation in the squad has go to be much higher than it was this time last year. Even if they didn’t sign anybody new, those two actions alone have got to be worth a comfortable B
– C for the Titans is a bit mean. They’ve re-signed Mo and Tino and five good guys. They didn’t break the bank (somehow!) and could still afford Palasia. That has to worth a B at least.
– C for the Dogs is generous. The quality of the guys leaving is greater than the quality of the recruits, (even with Crichton). D for me.
– C for Parra is generous. Signing only Morgan Harper (no offence to him) is not good enough for a pass mark. D for me.
– C for the Cows is equally generous.
– Bunnies look like a B to me, but I won’t squabble over the A