With the NRL season coming to a close, those who started a new chapter in their rugby league career have been given ample time to prove their worth to their new teammates, clubs and fans.
Naturally, some have disappointed, with veterans failing to live up to their reputations, or young talent thrown in the deep end too quickly.
However, some have been just as good on the pitch as they originally seemed on paper.
Whether it be bargain buys, diamonds in the rough or blockbuster signings, these are the players who have not only met expectations but exceeded them, transforming their teams in both subtle and spectacular ways.
So, in no particular order, here are the eight best signings of the 2025 NRL season.
7Blaize Talagi
A signing who had huge shoes to fill, Blaize Talagi was brought in as the long-term replacement for four-time premiership-winning five-eighth, Jarome Luai.
However, his Panthers career got off to a slow start. After succumbing to a shoulder injury in pre-season, he lost the race start in the halves, only featuring off the bench twice in the opening five rounds.
Talagi finally got the nod in Round 6, starting at five-eighth, yet was quite disappointing in both attack and defence, with coach Ivan Cleary even admitting his performance wasn't perfect.
However, the 20-year-old kept working at it, building his combination with Nathan Cleary and in Round 10, delivered a man of the match performance, scoring one try and producing four try assists in a 30-30 draw against the Cowboys.
In total, throughout 20 appearances this season, Talagi has registered a total of 6 tries and 11 try assists, which may not seem like much. Still, in comparison, during his final season with the Panthers, Luai featured 24 times, scoring only four tries and registering 15 try assists.
So while comparison may indeed be the thief of joy, in this instance, it proves that Talagi is undoubtedly well on par with his predecessor, with the potential even to surpass him.
