Every once in a while, a rugby league club makes a signing that shifts the balance of the entire NRL. Whether that leads to a premiership, a Dally M medal, or simply an inch closer to the finals, an elite talent can alter the fabric of an NRL franchise.
While not every club has had a premiership-winning acquisition in the last decade, here are the best signings of the last decade for every team.
12. Penrith Panthers: James Maloney
It's hard to remember a time when the Penrith Panthers weren't a powerhouse with Nathan Cleary leading the charge.
However, when James Maloney joined the club back in 2018, the Western-Sydney club was not in the best shape, and it could be argued they wouldn't have gotten much better if not for Maloney's arrival.
Maloney is a rugby league legend, with a decade-long NRL career that saw the elite half succeed at every level of the game. While his success is to be commended, his place on this list spans far beyond accolades.
Maloney was integral to Nathan Cleary's growth as an elite halfback. At the time, Cleary was relatively unproven, but with the help of the two-time premiership winning half, the young prodigy fulfilled, and perhaps exceeded, his potential.
When he joined the Panthers, the club didn't have the championship DNA it has now.
However, after bringing his premiership-winning pedigree to the club and taking the young guys under his wing, the club was in a much better position to succeed by the time Maloney had departed to the Super League.
Every one of those is a plausible contender.
Personally, I would have picked Wayne Bennett as the Dolphins’ greatest signing, but I expect you’re excluding coaches :=)
The only one I actually disagree with is Reece Walsh. I believe Payne Haas is more influential. Just my opinion, and you know what they say: “opinions are like a**holes – everybody has got one, and some are more smelly than others”.
Apologies to ZeroTacklers if I just stank out the room !