The NRL's Top Ten Worst Signings of 2018: Part One

10. Charlie Gubb (Canberra Raiders)

Despite only 11 appearances for the New Zealand Warriors in 2017, many pundits rated Gubb as the Auckland based club's best forward.

After a bidding war between several clubs broke out once it became clear he was out of favour with Stephen Kearney; the Canberra Raiders beat out the likes of North Queensland and the Newcastle Knights for Gubb’s signature for the 2018 season.

Things haven’t eventuated for the 28-year-old however with the cult favourite again falling out of favour with his head coach. In his five appearances this season, Gubb averages just 61 metres per game which is well below the standards of an NRL front rower.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY - MAY 13: Charlie Gubb of the Raiders watches on during the round 10 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

9. Josh Reynolds (Wests Tigers)

Reynolds was one of the bigger signings of the 2017 off-season. A pre-season injury, however, derailed his early aspirations. Returning in Round 6, Reynolds, unfortunately, injured his hamstring and was ruled out for another six-week period.

Making his second return from injury in Round 12, Reynolds managed to string three consecutive games together but again suffered a hamstring injury in Round 14. He was fortunate enough to miss just the one game this time around but in Wests Round 16 defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans; Reynolds suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Reynolds makes this list due to his poor luck with injuries coupled with the fact that in the five games he featured in this season, his form wasn’t all that flash – and by the time he had returned from his first stint on the sideline in Round 6… Veteran half Benji Marshall had already usurped Reynolds as Ivan Cleary’s preferred five-eighth.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Josh Reynolds of the Tigers looks on during the warm up before the start of the NRL trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers at Barlow Park on February 17, 2018 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

8. Aaron Woods (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)

Woods' form for the Dogs was so bad, the club pulled their rich $3.2 million four-year contract from under his feet just six months into the deal.

In his 14 games for the Bulldogs, Woods managed just six tackle breaks, conceded 14 penalties, recorded 11 handling errors, missed 18 tackles and was well below his career average when it came to making yardage for his side with just eight metres gained per carry of the football.

After a mid-season switch to Cronulla, Woods is now an interchange forward with the likes of Matt Prior preferred ahead of him.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Aaron Woods of the Bulldogs leaves the field during the round two NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium on March 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

7. Taane Milne (Wests Tigers)

2018 was going to be the breakout year for ex-Dragons centre Taane Milne. Alarm bells began ringing however when Milne wasn’t named as part of Wests 21-man squad for the opening rounds of the season.

Everyone’s fears came to fruition when on April 6, Milne was released from the club after failing a second drug test. At this point in time, Milne is contracted to the Mounties in the ISP. Such a waste of talent.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 05: Taane Milne of Fiji looks to get past Christiaan Roets of Walesduring the 2017 Rugby League World Cup match between Fiji and Wales at 1300SMILES Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

6. Kane Evans (Parramatta Eels)

Due to poor form and injury, the Eels' big off-season forward recruit Kane Evans has managed just six first grade appearances this season.

Evans averages just 70 metres per game this season for the Eels and after a finals finish in 2017, Parramatta are somehow in worse shape this season, currently sitting second last on the ladder which has many pundits pinning the blame on the current state of the Eels forward pack.