Top 10: Best performing recruits

The player market heading into the 2018 season was crazy. I can't remember a season where so much big name talent changed clubs and made such a big impact. Although some big name recruits failed to live up to their reputation, there have been some incredible signings. Below we look at the top 10 recruits from 2017 into the 2018 season. The below is based on form, results and impact on the club they joined. Let us know if (and why) we have it wrong in the comments below. Corey Thompson (Tigers) With all due respect to the Tigers' winger/fullback this is probably a shock. His signing went largely unnoticed in the mayhem that was the Tigers' recruitment merry-go-round, but he's been arguably the club's best all season. Able to score a try from anywhere, Thompson has been equally as effective on the wing or in the number one jersey. Huge fan. [caption id="attachment_35107" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Corey Thompson of the Tigers celebrates scoring a try during the round one NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Connor Watson (Knights) Watson's signing didn't come with the fanfare of the likes of Pearce or Ponga, but for mine he has been almost as important. He took the reigns during the month-plus that Pearce was sidelined with injury, and has lit up the competition at times. He's still learning his game in the halves but no one in the Hunter can feel let down by his efforts to date. [caption id="attachment_35106" align="alignnone" width="696"] Connor Watson during the round 19 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Gold Coast Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium on July 21, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia.[/caption] Tohu Harris (Warriors) What do they put in the water at the Storm? There's a joke on social media that players who leave the Storm suddenly forget how to play, but Harris has been amazing for the Warriors. He's been their best forward all season and has added a route of attack the club hasn't had in recent seasons. Unfortunately injured at the moment, the Warriors need him back for the finals. [caption id="attachment_34391" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Tohu Harris of the Warriors runs the ball during the round 15 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the New Zealand Warriors at 1300SMILES Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] James Tedesco (Roosters) I'd be lying if I didn't admit Teddy's start to the season was a little underwhelming. That said, the past two months or so, Tedesco has clicked into gear and now looks like taking the Roosters a long way. He's already made 11 line breaks, scored five tries and set up six, and you'd argue he still hasn't hit peak form. That's pretty scary. [caption id="attachment_34930" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: James Tedesco of the Roosters uns as the ball as Isaah Yeo of the Panthers looks to tackle during the round 15 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)[/caption] James Maloney (Panthers) Maloney's form has dipped in recent weeks but the Panthers number six has still delivered in a big way. He's laid on eight try assists and eight line break assists but it's his experience that cannot be measured. His combination with Cleary helped guide the Blues to a series win and has seen the Panthers all but guaranteed finals footy. He will need to re-find his form soon if the Panthers want to go deep into September but so far so good. [caption id="attachment_33204" align="alignnone" width="696"] PENRITH, NEW SOUTH WALES - APRIL 27: James Maloney of the Panthers prepares to catch the ball during the NRL round eight match between the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs on April 27, 2018 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Matthew Moylan (Sharks) After a slow start the Sharks' five-eighth is now breathing fire. 14 try assists, 14 line break assists and 10 forced drop outs show his attacking flair, but his defense has improved beyond words during his time in the Shire. Moylan's left hand combination with Wade Graham has fired the Sharks into top four contention. He has polled at least three man of the match efforts without any thought, and took his former club the Panthers apart just two weeks ago. [caption id="attachment_32489" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Matthew Moylan of the Sharks runs the ball during the round two NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Southern Cross Group Stadium on March 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Jai Arrow (Titans) Arrow has gone from fringe first grader to Origin starter in the space of one half-season at the Titans. Don't get me wrong, he was hardly a toiler for Brisbane but his has flourished on the holiday strip since his move. A defensive machine, Arrow has also managed to find the try line on three occasions. He is the first player picked in most fantasy sides but his impact goes well beyond stats. His efforts in Origin three have set up a huge rep future. [caption id="attachment_35105" align="alignnone" width="696"] during the round 14 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium on June 8, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.[/caption] Blake Green (Warriors) Green isn't the kind of player who will light up the competition with freakish plays. He is however the player who will do the little things right and improve those around him. Look at how bad Manly are struggling to replace him since his move. Look how much Shaun Johnson has improved in terms of consistency and attacking output his since his arrival. These are not coincidences. [caption id="attachment_32349" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 17: Blake Green of the Warriors looks on during the round two NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium on March 17, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] Ben Hunt (Dragons) A few readers will no doubt point to his sub-par Origin two performance but in truth Hunt's season should be judged more on the fact he's completely transformed the Dragons. The Red V's form of late has slipped slightly but they still remain firmly in the top four and that comes on the back of work from Hunt and Widdop. Hunt's ability to control the game has allowed Widdop to free himself up to carve openings for his outside backs. He has 13 try assists, ten line break assists, four tries and 11 forced drop outs. Good return. [caption id="attachment_32788" align="alignnone" width="696"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Ben Hunt of the Dragons in action during the round four NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights at WIN Stadium on April 1, 2018 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Kalyn Ponga (Knights) The undisputed king of the recruits is young Kalyn Ponga. Ponga's stats are impressive; five tries, 10 try assists, nine line breaks, and 141 average running metres, but they don't sum up the difference he has made at Newcastle. Ponga's signing has completely transformed the club on and off the field. He made his Origin debut in game two and had an amazing game, defending in the middle for over 40 minutes. There is nothing this kid cannot do. It's almost impossible to believe he's still not even 21 yet. [caption id="attachment_35094" align="alignnone" width="696"] Kayln Ponga during the round 14 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on June 9, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia.[/caption]