As per the annual tradition, around the ten game mark, we are going to take a look at the top 10 recruits, to date. At the end of the season we will take another look and compare to the early form of the recruits.
Looking at the current list, there are some huge names missing, and some real surprises.
Although Holland has only played the five games for the Bulldogs since his move from the Knights, his efforts have been newsworthy. Few will forget the goal he kicked after the siren to get his side home in his NRL debut. He has scored three tries and made four line breaks and has slotted conversions from everywhere. There is a lot more to come for the 23 year-old, who has started his NRL career brilliantly.
Beau Scott has wound back the clock in the opening rounds of the 2016 season and has proved himself to be a brilliant purchase. Although the Eels off-field troubles are dominating headlines, Scott’s performances so far are likely to see him in the NSW run on side. His stats are impressive with a try, try assist and over 30 tackles per game. He’s been arguably the best recruit amongst a brilliant bunch for the Eels.
Hiku’s late signing by the Panthers was met with mixed reactions but his efforts to date have drawn almost universal praise. He has scored five tries in nine fixtures and provided a constant threat out wide. He earned a New Zealand call up due to his early season form, although he was forced to drop out through injury. Hiku has suffered to an extent due to the inconsistency of the Panthers halves, but overall has enjoyed a more than solid start to the season.
Hopoate’s time at the Eels was criminally underwhelming, but his time at the Dogs has helped rid many fans of those memories. Thrust into the fullback spot following an injury to Brett Morris, Hoppa has played above expectation. He has scored six tries, including a try in each of his first five games, and has put on two further. He will miss plenty of footy coming up due to religious beliefs which may affect his overall value, but to date Hoppa has been an astute signing.
Although the majority of recruits who ended up on the northern beaches have failed to match the hype in which they arrived, Matt Parcell has stood head and shoulders above. Although he missed two games through injury, his efforts across his seven games to date have given Manly fans something to smile about in a tough opening two or so months. Although he only has one try and one try assist to his name, his defence has been top quality and his distribution has been very good.
Maloney, despite being a little down on form compared to his late 2015 for the Roosters, has helped lead the Sharks to a seven and two start to the 2016 season. Encouragingly for the Sharks he seems to play better every week, and probably sits favourite to claim a return to NSW rep honours. Four tries and four try assists go a long way to proving why the Sharks made him their top priority after missing out on Cherry Evans. Looking at the start to the season, the Sharks look as though, with a little luck, they made the right call.
Roberts is one of those players many expected to excel at his new club, and although he hasn’t yet hit top form, he has been very good at the Broncos. He may only have the three tries in nine games but he also has four try assists and a ridiculous eight line breaks. He has helped ease the pain that the departure of Justin Hodges was expected to inflict. To think that he is yet to fully hit his straps for the Broncos is scary.
Ash Taylor’s emergence has helped offset a season-long injury suffered by Kane Elgey in the pre-season. He has five try assists and two tries of his own in his eight games and has played well beyond his age and experience. At only 21 year of age, Taylor was thrown into the deep end so to speak and has performed very well. Judging by his first eight games on the Gold Coast, it’s safe to say the former Bronco has a monster future ahead of him.
Whitehead’s recruitment went under the radar with the likes of RTS, Roberts, Burgess and Maloney shifting clubs, but he has been an absolute revelation in the capital. Amazingly his best footy probably came when he was forced into the halves, although he has consistently been one of the Raiders best no matter which number he has worn on game day. Two tries and three try assists show his worth in an attacking sense, although it is the work that goes largely unnoticed that has made him a vital cog in the green machine. Making almost 40 tackles a game and 70+ meters, Whitehead is both flashy and hard working.
Prior to the season kicking off, if you had told me that Chad Townsend would be top five recruits, let alone top spot, I would have laughed you off, but instead it is the returning Shark who is laughing. Townsend has been the main man in the Sharks excellent start to the season, outplaying his more fancied partner and recruit in Maloney. His efforts saw him earn his first City rep jersey, and if Origin was picked purely on form, Townsend’s name would be in the mix. His kicking game has been on point but it has been hit running game that has sparked the Sharks. The improvement in his game during stints at the Sharks is almost beyond belief. Chad is outplaying a host of much bigger, and more highly paid, recruits. His four tries and six try assists have helped make the Sharks are far more dangerous side to defend against.