There were several signings this year that proved profitable for players in their new environments, as well as clubs building towards something bigger.
From taking their clubs to finals to making a name for themselves in the competition, here are the recruits of 2026.
7. Cody Ramsey (Sydney Roosters)
Cody Ramsey has represented one of the league's miracle stories to date. After being diagnosed with life-threatening ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, no one would have thought he would return to the NRL.
He dropped significant weight and underwent more than ten surgeries, with warnings from doctors that his NRL career was over. Despite these warnings, he defied medical advice and made his return to reserve grade in 2025 for the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Dragons were unwilling to retain Ramsey, and at the end of last year, the Sydney Roosters swooped in and picked the fullback up.
Since then, he has proved useful for the Roosters, starting at fullback in several matches when James Tedesco was out. Ramsey has shown that he still has the rapid pace and attacking threat he had before his illness. It would be wonderful to see him win a premiership this year.
I would not include Dylan Brown in the list of “10 best signings”. Why? Because Newcastle has signed him for far too long and for far too much money.
He will be 35 when he starts the last year of his contract.
Don’t expect him to be anywhere as near as good then as he is now.
I see him as a second Jason Taumalolo. Signed for ten years on about a million per year. He might have been worth the money in his first few years, but now he nowhere near worth the money.
I think Brown will end up just the same.
Where’s Coby Black…………………………………..