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.
5Erin Clark
Erin Clark was a decent enough forward at the Gold Coast Titans and was signed by the New Zealand Warriors in late 2024 as a replacement for the outgoing Jazz Tevaga, expected to merely fill the hole.
Yet, not even the most faithful of Warriors fans could've seen what was coming.
Clark became a man on a mission.
He is the form middle-forward this season and is guaranteed to take out the Dally M Lock of the Year award.
All of his numbers are up quite significantly: 3,579 total run metres (149 per game), 1,396 post-contact metres, 37 offloads and 64 tackle breaks.
Clark has been inspirational in leading the club to a surprise finals berth, filling the void of not only Jazz Tevaga but also Addin Fonua-Blake, who departed for Cronulla.
