A successful recruitment drive can transform a side in a season. It can be the difference between a top-eight finish and a second bite of the cherry.
On the flip side, losing an important player can hinder a side and see them regress, sometimes quickly.
Heading into the 2022 season we saw the Bulldogs undertake one of the most aggressive recruitment drives in recent memory.
Across Sydney you had the Sharks shaking the ranks both on and off the field.
Brisbane landed the biggest fish of all, at least in terms of stature and contract value, when they announced the signing of Adam Reynolds.
Some big names flourished while others floundered. A number of recruits saw their careers take off and their sides benefit as a result. Others took up big chunks of the salary cap whilst offering little.
Below are the top five recruits based on their 2022 seasons. This doesn't only take into account pure results. For instance, some teams were building and despite not playing finals footy are now in better positions than this time last year due to a recruit's effort.
2. Chad Townsend
Hand on heart; I was a doubter. I scratched my head when this signing was announced. The Cowboys trumped up huge money to play a reserve grader to lead their side.
Fair to say Chad Townsend had dished up a massive serving of crow with a side of crow.
Townsend was the perfect signing for Todd Peyten's Cowboys. He simply didn't fit the game plan in Cronulla. The club had moved on from their title-winning halfback.
He fits the Cowboys system like a glove. The Cowboys system fits Chad Townsend with extreme comfort. It's a match made in rugby league heaven.
Townsend is never going to run for 300 metres or score highlight reel tries. It's not his style. Nor does it need to be.
Everything the Cowboys have asked him to do, he has done with near perfection. He kicks and chases. He dictates play. He leads.
You'll never, ever see Chad Townsend in negative headlines. The Cowboys needed a leader and a general and the Chad has provided just that.
Not to say he hasn't been an attacking force either; 20 try assists, 14 line break assists, 16 forced drop outs and almost 400 kicking metres per game. He also tackled at 86.9 per cent.
In many other seasons, Chad's taking the Cowboys from 15th to at least a preliminary final would have landed him in the number one spot here.
