Top 10 confirmed signings for 2018

A number of clubs have made big signings for the 2018 NRL season. With a large number of big name players off contract at the end of 2017, big money has been spent. These player movements could be extremely important in future seasons and will shake up the competition. Russell Packer [caption id="attachment_24692" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Russell Packer of the Dragons passes during the round 22 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Bronocs at WIN Stadium on August 4, 2016 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] St George Illawarra Dragons to Wests Tigers Russell Packer’s 2017 NRL season has been excellent. The front rower has helped lead the way for the Dragons, particularly early in the season when they were dominating opposition teams. Packer even earned a recall to the New Zealand international side this year. He will continue to lead the way from the front when he joins the Wests Tigers in 2018. Dane Gagai [caption id="attachment_27510" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Dane Gagai of the Knights in action during the round three NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Newcastle Knights to South Sydney Rabbitohs Dane Gagai has consistently been one of Newcastle’s best players and continues to be selected for Queensland despite playing in a weak team. In 2017, Gagai was named the man of the series for the State of Origin and is pushing for international honours. The Rabbitohs will benefit hugely from Gagai, who will be strong no matter what position he plays. Aaron Woods [caption id="attachment_26254" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Aaron Woods of the Tigers runs with the ball during the round five NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on April 2, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Wests Tigers to Canterbury Bulldogs Aaron Woods has been one of the Wests Tigers best in the last few years. His ability to provide go-forward for any side is valued by club and representative coaches alike. A move to the Bulldogs will allow him to play with a number of high quality forwards, while letting him still be a leader among the forwards. Kieran Foran [caption id="attachment_26394" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 02: Kieran Foran of the Warriors reacts during the round five NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium on April 2, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)[/caption] New Zealand Warriors to Canterbury Bulldogs Though Kieran Foran has been below his best in 2017, he as shown glimpses of the terrific player he was at Manly. The move to the Bulldogs will benefit both Foran and the club immensely. If Foran is paired with a quality partner in the halves, the Bulldogs could be a top side in 2018. James Graham [caption id="attachment_28748" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: James Graham of the Bulldogs leads his team out behind the Bulldogs mascot during the round one NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Belmore Sports Ground on March 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Canterbury Bulldogs to St George Illawarra Dragons James Graham has become known as an incredibly tough player in his time in the NRL and any club would love to have him. Seemingly forced out of the Bulldogs due to salary cap issues the Dragons have swooped on Graham, who is an excellent replacement for Russell Packer. Graham will provide an intensity that the Dragons lack at times. Jack Bird [caption id="attachment_25814" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Jack Bird runs the ball during the 2016 NRL Grand Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.[/caption] Cronulla Sharks to Brisbane Broncos At only 22 years, Jack Bird is already impressing experts with his representative career. The versatile and strong back is a big loss for the Sharks, who will be disappointed to lose one of their best premiership players. Bird will be huge for the Broncos in whatever position he plays. Kalyn Ponga [caption id="attachment_27992" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Kalyn Ponga of the Cowboys makes a break during the round seven NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys at WIN Stadium on April 15, 2017 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)[/caption] North Queensland Cowboys to Newcastle Knights The Knights have done an excellent job in attracting a talented young footballer in Kalyn Ponga. At just 19-years-old, Ponga has already demonstrated his ability in first grade football and will continue to improve in the coming years. This is a huge signing for the Knights and will go a long way to turning their fortunes around. Josh Reynolds [caption id="attachment_28407" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Josh Reynolds of the Bulldogs looks on during warm-up ahead of the round 18 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Newcastle Knights at Belmore Sports Ground on July 9, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Canterbury Bulldogs to Wests Tigers Ivan Cleary has done an excellent job in signing Josh Reynolds for the West Tigers. Reynolds has already won a State of Origin series and consistently plays hard for his side. His combination with Luke Brooks and Tui Lolohea in the spine could make the Wests Tigers a force next season. Ben Hunt [caption id="attachment_28497" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Ben Hunt of the Broncos runs with the ball during the round 20 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on July 20, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane Broncos to St George Illawarra Dragons The Dragons were within a win of the finals series in 2017 and many of their problems were due to the inconsistencies of their halves partners. In 2018, Gareth Widdop will partner with Ben Hunt, who has already taken the Broncos to a grand final and played in State of Origin. The Broncos halfback will add a lot to the Dragons, who will benefit massively from his ball playing skills. James Tedesco [caption id="attachment_27448" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: James Tedesco of the Tigers runs the ball during the round two NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on March 12, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Wests Tigers to Sydney Roosters James Tedesco continues to perform for the West Tigers in both offense and defence despite their struggles. Tedesco has already show he is a quality player in the State of Origin arena and no one could forget his performance in game one of the 2017 series. Playing alongside Luke Keary and Mitchell Pearce at the Roosters is an excellent move for Tedesco. The Roosters will have a deadly spine in 2018 and will become an even better side than they are now.