After another bumper off-season of player movement, take a look below at who we think will have the biggest impact at their new club in 2019.
1. David Klemmer
Bulldogs born and bred, David Klemmer has joined the Knights on a mammoth 5-year deal following an early release from his contract with Canterbury-Bankstown.
Following consistent rumblings that he was not happy at Belmore, he was finally granted what he desired after the Bulldogs gained an adequate replacement for Klemmer in the shape Dylan Napa.
Following his debut for the Bulldogs in 2013, Klemmer has cemented himself as one of the game’s best and most aggressive middlemen, culminating in regular selections for the NSW Origin and Australian sides.
Although he may not have been all too happy at the Bulldogs last year, he didn’t let that affect his performances. Putting up a mammoth 181 running metres per game, coupled with an incredible 1650 post contact metres for the season (3rd in the NRL).
After being lured up to the Hunter by coach Nathan Brown, it is scary to think what Klemmer could be capable of in 2019 now that he is happy and where he wants to be.
In terms of Newcastle and what his acquisition means for their team, the importance can’t be overstated. He could well be the final piece of the puzzle that propels them back into finals contention, providing the Knights with the Paul Harrogan-esque aggression and meter eating ability through the middle that they have so desperately lacked in the past few seasons.
Seeing the likes of Pearce, Ponga, and Watson playing off the back of the consistent go forward that Klemmer will undoubtedly provide could be mouth-watering to watch.
Klemmer is a cat… he will make meters I give him that, but rarely wins a battle when it is taken to him
Fergo will smash up kick returns, quick ball plays to start sets in the best possible ways.
The rest of the team decides if he can finish sets with tries in the corner.
All five are great players. Good pickups.
I dont agree these are the 5 best recruits. These are the 5 best players changing clubs but outside of Ferguson i dont think these players are what their club needed.
E.g. cowboys already had a strong forward pack, did they really need McGuire??.
I think the top 5 recruits are Ferguson for reasons already mentioned.
Matterson, tigers havent had a quality 2nd rower since for years. He can really transforn that right edge, not only does he run great lines but also can create for the players around him.
Boyd, Gold Coast have been crying out for a quality big man. Hes early hit ups will take pressure of the likes of Wallace, James and Arrow by attracting more defenders so the others will be facing one and two man tackles rather than 3 and 4 man tackles the following play. This should lead to quicker play the balls which may well be the key to unlocking Ash Taylors talent.
Paulo, similar story to Boyd above. Whilst the likes of Alvaro, Mau and Brown arent big and strong enough to impact a defensive line themself, they could really benefit from following a player who can.
Norman, (possibly) hasnt had a decent pack to play behind before but will now that he is at St George. Gives St George the ball playing fullback (Widdop) theyve been wanting for sometime. But, questions about disrupting the team and keeping his ego in check (not being the dominant half he wants to be) need to be answered yet.
Now i dont expect these 5 to suddenly outperform the 5 in the article. For example Chrighton is in for a bigger year than Matterson, not only is he a better player but also in a stronger team but as i said these are not the best 5 players but the 5 who could be the most impactful at their new club.