The off-season is a very important period for NRL coaches to try and strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
Every NRL club dipped into the player market in the last few months but some were busier than others.
Here's a ranking of how each club fared with player signings ahead of the 2019 season.
16. Melbourne Stormย
Signings: Tom Eisenhuth, Marion Seve, Albert Vete
No major signings for the Storm with two youngsters Tom Eisenhuth (Penrith) and Marion Seve (Broncos), along with Albert Vete (Warriors) the only new additions upon an already strong squad.
Tom Eisenhuth, Albert Vete and Marion Seve discuss their switch to Storm!
๐ https://t.co/MTAKF7bHat #purplepride pic.twitter.com/tu8G8yAI04
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) July 5, 2018
Newcastle recruits are great and make this team knocking on the top four, Cronulla snaring Johnston will give Cronulla a magic halves pairing with Moylan reverting to his best position at fullback, Roosters have bought smart, Saints have done well, Parra has also bought exactly what they need, big prop, big winger Big second rower. Parra can make the eight but every thing rests on the 5/8 position.
Souffs have collected a heap of nothingness and Brisbane has not done well either.๐ช๐๐
Brizzy are betting on young guns and a promising but untested coach.
It could be a masterstroke or disaster…. or somewhere in between.
How’s that for sitting on the fence?
Brizzy are betting on young guns and a promising but untested coach.
It could be a masterstroke or disaster…. or somewhere in between.
How’s that for sitting on the fence?
????
Yep, Brisbane have some great young talent coming though for sure, particularly in the forwards with Fifita, Pangai Jnr and Haas. You don’t always need to go to market to strengthen the team.
From the way I see it, good coaches don’t bolster their ranks with big names, they bring them through the ranks as young unknowns and help turn them into stars. I always think the coaches who buy in the big names for a lot of dollars neither have the skills to bring the young ones forward or the ability to spot natural talent.
Much easier to coach a guy at the top of his game than mould the star of tomorrow.
I have a feeling this may be the year of surprises.
Tevita Pangai Junior was already at the top of his game when he signed with Brisbane in 2016 after leaving the Raiders. He had already captained the junior Australian team 3yrs in a row and when he hit Brisbane they basically played him straight into first grade almost immediately playing in 14 NRL games in 2016. But you are correct Brisbane have a few players coming through their one horse capital city team town. And with 2.5 million people they should ALL be Brisbane born and Bred๐ต๐๐๐๐คฃ๐ฉ๐ช๐๐
Warriors Offseason:
Departures:
Vete Released (mid season)
Mannering Retire
Lino Signed with Knights
Gavet Signed with Knights
Johnson Released
CNK Signed with Raiders
Issac Luke signs with Eels (reportably)
Signings:
Lesson Ah Mau (good reserve prop)
Lachlan Burr (not NRL Standard)
Adam Keighran (Panthers 4th choice halve)
Jackson Frei (unheard of)
Taane Milne (unwanted/caught on drugs twice)
Literally the worse recruitment and offseason from any club in a longggg time. Losing 3 key players and leaders, along with 4 cheap but handy depth players and in return make 5 inadequate replacements.
Whatโs going on
You manly fans love sitting on fences.
Newcastle just need a good coach and they will play a GF.
Yes, the warriors seem to be in a mess.
Banking on 2020 for some BIG signings?
Manu Mau, Joseph Manu, Zane Tetevano, Joe Ofahengaue and TPJ.
they gotta sit on the fence at Brookie, the seats are all broken or rotted so its only the fence left.