Before every NRL titan that dominates the competition is a struggling side trying to rebuild.
Whether a club is struggling to retain talent, has failed to manage its cap properly, or simply isn't winning footy games, a rebuild is necessary for a franchise to reclaim its competitive edge in the NRL.
While there are a few squads every year in need of a roster overhaul, few have managed to construct a premiership-contending roster as well as these clubs.
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs (2006-2014)
One of the longest and most emotionally draining rebuilds of all time, the South Sydney Rabbitohs' rise in the late 2000s was incredible.
After receiving their third wooden spoon in four years, the Rabbitohs were a basket case in desperate need of correction.
A lot of work went into the Rabbitohs' rebuild in 2007. After Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes à Court bought a 75% stake in the club, they began to shift the culture.
The club would go on to sign key recruits in Roy Asotasi, Nigel Vagana, and David Kidwell, players who brought a level of class and discipline the side hadn't seen before.
The club would go on to make their first finals appearance since 1989, a huge shift for the struggling club.
Over the next few years, the South Sydney Rabbitohs' management focused on building a winning environment and strong foundations.
The club brought in superstar Greg Inglis and paired him with one of the most dominant forward packs of all time, featuring the likes of Asotasi, Sam Burgess, and Dave Taylor.
To round out this impressive squad, the club signed Michael Maguire in 2012, whose coaching mentality focused on discipline and winning systems.
The club began to pick up speed over the next two years, making the prelim in 2013 and claiming the premiership in 2014.
With stars like Adam Reynolds and Inglis hitting their straps, as well as the inspirational leadership of Sam Burgess, a premiership was almost guaranteed by the time they reached the Grand Final, smashing the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30-6.
