Today we look at the ins and outs for 2018 and beyond for the Dragons, Panthers, Cowboys and Sea Eagles. How have they recruited thus far? Who should they target?

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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.

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St George Illawarra Dragons

In: Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos, 2023)

Out: Josh Dugan (Cronulla Sharks), Taane Milne (Wests Tigers), Russell Packer (Wests Tigers)

Off Contract: Levi Dodd, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Siliva Havili, Jacob Hind, Drew Hutchison, Chris Lewis, Jake Marketo, Mose Masoe, Will Matthews, Tyrone McCarthy, Josh McCrone, Shaun Nona, Izaac Thompson

Re-signed: Euan Aitken (2020), Jack de Belin (2020), Jacob Host (2020), Tim Lafai (2020), Blake Lawrie (2019), Paul Vaughan (2021), Gareth Widdop (2021), Jason Nightingale (2018), Kurt Mann (2019)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 04: Ben Hunt of the Broncos looks on during the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Ben Hunt was signed to a monster deal, which considering his recent run in the QLD Cup, presents a massive punt. Hunt's ability to bounce back and debut for Queensland next Wednesday Night shows his resilience and talent. The club butchered the re-signing of Josh Dugan and will have to watch him run out for local rivals, the Sharks going forward. Gareth Widdop looked gone, so his re-signing, and current form should bring a big smile to faces of those wearing the famous Red V.

Should Target: Charlie Gubb or another prop forward

The loss of Packer leaves the Dragons looking a little light up front. I can't see the Dragons hoarding a huge amount of salary cap space to target a big name, ready made forward, so it may be smart to target a player the level of Charlie Gubb. I'm not privy to the makeup of the Dragons reserve sides, perhaps their is a big bopper ready to make the jump to first grade, but if not, the firebrand Gubb could be ready made.

Grading: C

The loss of Josh Dugan is heartbreaking, as he is without a doubt the club's biggest attacking weapon. The loss of Packer will hurt too. He has been a revelation at the Red V and repaid the faith shown by the club following his stint away from the game. Ben Hunt is a mammoth in, and along with Gareth Widdop, will form the nucleus of the club's attacking game for the next half-decade. de Belin, Lafai, Aitken, Vaughan's re-signings are also brilliant business. They need one more big signing for mine.

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