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.
6. Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights)
Alongside Dylan Brown, the signing of Sandon Smith has been huge for the Newcastle Knights and provided depth in their halves following the eventual season-ending injury to Brown.
Smith has appeared in 22 games this season with finals chances still alive; he has also been very handy as a goal-kicker with Kalyn Ponga taking a step back from conversions this year.
Smith was playing well at the Sydney Roosters in 2025, but with whispers of the Cherry-Evans signing, Smith did not see himself getting much game time in 2026. His signing at the Hunter has proved very beneficial for both himself and the Knights.
He finds himself in the starting halfback position within the Newcastle Knights' finals campaign, and the Knights are only one match away from a grand final. There has only been one side in the NRL era to go from wooden-spooners to grand final winner in one season; could Newcastle make it two?
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…………………………………..