While the battle for the 2017 Telstra Premiership trophy continues, clubs have one eye focused on building their roster for the 2018 season. With a stack of talent still to be signed up, which off-contract star does your club need for next year?
Brisbane Broncos – Kurt Mann
The possible departure of Tautau Moga to Newcastle coupled with Corey Oates' potential move to the second-row, Kurt Mann’s versatility would be invaluable in Red Hill. The young star is blessed with the ability to play fullback, centre, wing and even in the halves. Mann could even claim the Bronco’s bench utility role with Kodi Nikorima moving to halfback in 2018.
Mann could even claim the Bronco’s bench utility role with Kodi Nikorima moving to halfback in 2018.
Canberra Raiders – Brenton Lawrence
After a stellar 2016 season, Canberra has struggled at times this season, with impact on the bench a major issue. While Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo do an excellent job laying the platform early on, they need someone to inject some energy into the side when those men take a break. Blessed with speed for a big man, Brenton Lawrence has returned to form in 2017 and could really punish opposition teams at around the 30th-minute mark of a match.
Blessed with speed for a big man, Brenton Lawrence has returned to form in 2017 and could really punish opposition teams at around the 30th-minute mark of a match.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Michael Gordon
The Bulldogs have been nothing short of disappointing this year. Their halves have been unorganised, their backline has lacked strike, the service from dummy half has been sloppy, and as a whole, the team has been erratic. The signings of Kieran Foran, Aaron Woods and Fa’amanu Brown will steady the ship, but they need another calming influence. Enter Michael Gordon. The custodian has been a rock at the back for the Roosters and would allow Will Hopoate to move to the centres, adding more strike to the backline.
Enter Michael Gordon. The custodian has been a rock at the back for the Roosters and would allow Will Hopoate to move to the centres, adding more strike to the backline.
Cronulla Sharks – Aaron Gray
The South Sydney youngster has struggled with injury over the course of his first-grade career, but given a chance, Gray could prove to be an x-factor in the backline. Despite spending the majority of his career on the wing, Gray is a natural centre and would be the perfect replacement for Jack Bird at right centre. And if the reports are correct, Cronulla are close to securing their man.
And if the reports are correct, Cronulla are close to securing their man.
Gold Coast Titans – Ryan Hoffman
The veteran backrower has been told that he’s surplus to requirements for the New Zealand Warriors in 2018, allowing the premiership winner to look elsewhere to finish his career. Having played over 300 NRL games, Hoffman’s experience would prove invaluable to a young Titan’s team. The departure of Chris McQueen to Concord opens up a spot in the forward pack, and Hoffman would do a wonderful job on the left edge protecting Kane Elgey.
The departure of Chris McQueen to Concord opens up a spot in the forward pack, and Hoffman would do a wonderful job on the left edge protecting Kane Elgey.
Manly Sea Eagles – Tim Grant
Manly have proved the doubters wrong this year, a sudden resurgence of form has put the Sea Eagles in top four calculations. Despite all of this, one problem that the side has faced is depth, particularly in the forwards. Lanky backrower Shaun has been forced to play prop in the Intrust Super Premiership this year, but Tim Grant could help the team. Told by the Tigers he won’t be re-signed for next season, Grant would slot in nicely to the Manly pack, especially following reports Brenton Lawrence will depart the club at season’s end.
Told by the Tigers he won’t be re-signed for next season, Grant would slot in nicely to the Manly pack, especially following reports Brenton Lawrence will depart the club at season’s end.
Melbourne Storm – Joel Edwards
Granted, Melbourne Storm doesn't need much more than what they’ve already got. Billy Slater out? Cameron Munster. Cooper Cronk gone? Brodie Croft. Cameron Smith rested? Brandon Smith. But Melbourne has a reputation for getting the best of their props. Joel Edwards can play prop,
But Melbourne has a reputation for getting the best of their props. Joel Edwards can play prop, backrow or lock, and his high work rate would be perfect for the Storm. With Tohu Harris leaving the club, Edwards would be a more than capable replacement.
Newcastle Knights – Nelson Asofa-SolomonaÂ
Believe it or not, Newcastle have a better side on paper than you’d think. Ponga at fullback, Ross and Sio on the wings, Mata’utia and possibly Moga in the centres, the side seems strong. Especially the backrow, with Jamie Buhrer, Mitch Barnett, Aiden Guerra and Sione Mata’utia their strongest spot. But prop is a different situation, with Daniel Saifiti their go-to-man in the front-row. Asofa-Solomona would change all this and give the Knights some much needed go forward as they look to lift off the bottom of the ladder.
Asofa-Solomona would change all this and give the Knights some much needed go forward as they look to lift off the bottom of the ladder.
New Zealand Warriors – Adam Blair
Consistently inconsistent. It’s probably the best way to describe the hot and cold New Zealand outfit. Kieran Foran helped steady the ship a little, but his departure leaves an all too familiar hole in the side. Incoming recruit Tohu Harris will help fill the hole, but Kiwi captain Adam Blair would definitely go a long way to lifting the side. While Blair is a big fan of coach Wayne Bennett, the chance to end his career in his homeland could sway Blair into making a change.
While Blair is a big fan of coach Wayne Bennett, the chance to end his career in his homeland could sway Blair into making a change.
North Queensland Cowboys – Mose Masoe
The hulking prop hasn’t played an NRL match since Round 26, 2013 following a Super League stint before back-to-back knee reconstructions marred his comeback at St. George Illawarra. But with doubts over the future of Matt Scott,
But with doubts over the future of Matt Scott, Masoe could prove a very effective low-cost option for the Cowboys. With Scott Bolton another year older, what’s there to lose?
Parramatta Eels – Michael Lichaa
Parramatta has one of the most underrated sides in the competition. Their halves, the front row, the only piece missing from this puzzle is a quality hooker. They regrettably let go of Origin hooker Nathan Peats following their salary cap dramas., and fill-in hooker Kaysa Pritchard’s season has been ended following a knee injury last weekend. With back-ups Isaac De Gois and Jeff Robson set to hang up the boots at season's end, Lichaa would be an admirable pick-up for the building Eels side.
With back-ups Isaac De Gois and Jeff Robson set to hang up the boots at season's end, Lichaa would be an admirable pick-up for the building Eels side.
Penrith Panthers – Dylan Phythian
Penrith has arguably the most complete roster of the competition. A combination of star recruits and local juniors, Penrith have built an impressive side. Peter Wallace however, is an ageing man. While his form has been superb at hooker, his age will limit his future to the coming years. Mitch Rein is expected to move into the starting hooker role when he retires, meaning Penrith will need a back-up hooker. Phythian can play anywhere in the spine, and after debuting last year as a hooker, but would be a safe purchase for Penrith.
Mitch Rein is expected to move into the starting hooker role when he retires, meaning Penrith will need a back-up hooker. Phythian can play anywhere in the spine, and after debuting last year as a hooker, but would be a safe purchase for Penrith.
South Sydney Rabbitohs – Blake FergusonÂ
South Sydney have been a let down so far this year. Their forward pack has struggled to aim, Greg Inglis has featured for all of 50 minutes, and Adam Reynolds has struggled with his personal form for much of the year. They’ve signed Dane Gagai for 2018 to add strike, but they’re still one back short of a class backline. Set to lose both Aaron Gray and Bryson Goodwin at season’s end, the addition of Ferguson on the wing would see a backline of Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Hymel Hunt, Dane Gagai and Blake Ferguson, possibly one of the best backlines in the competition.
Set to lose both Aaron Gray and Bryson Goodwin at season’s end, the addition of Ferguson on the wing would see a backline of Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Hymel Hunt, Dane Gagai and Blake Ferguson, possibly one of the best backlines in the competition.
St George Illawarra Dragons – Kevin NaiqamaÂ
St. George Illawarra have lost a lot of quality in their backline already this year. Josh Dugan and Taane Milne have both confirmed their departures, while Kurt Mann looks increasingly likely to exit the Wollongong club at the end of 2017. Naiqama can slot in at fullback, centre or wing, and would add some strike into a backline losing a whole heap of it.
Naiqama can slot in at fullback, centre or wing, and would add some strike into a backline losing a whole heap of it.
Sydney Roosters – Sam Tagatese
The recruitment of James Tedesco propels the Roosters from premiership hopefuls to near favouritism, but to win a competition you need depth. They’ve already lost a fair amount of it in the shape of Aiden Guerra and Paul Carter, and quick forward Sam Tagatese could add some spark off the bench for the Bondi boys. While Jared Warea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa have the starting prop role nailed down, Tagatese could add some starch when the ‘bruise brothers’ take a breath.
While Jared Warea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa have the starting prop role nailed down, Tagatese could add some starch when the ‘bruise brothers’ take a breath.
Wests Tigers – Anybody
The Wests Tigers are in a deep hole following the exit of their three star players and have turned to quantity over quality, signing anyone and everyone they can to lessen the void. They’ve been linked to a new player every week, and will probably have a crack at half the players mentioned here. They just need to fill up that bus.
They’ve been linked to a new player every week, and will probably have a crack at half the players mentioned here. They just need to fill up that bus.
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