I've said it before and I will continue to repeat it - recruitment drives can make or break seasons.
We've seen the Bulldogs transform from competition also-rans to Finals competitors mainly due to a season upon season recruitment drive.
Meanwhile the Tigers signed a host of players over the past three seasons and finished last on all three ocassions.
Today we're here to run a look over nine of the 17 NRL teams and their recruitment decisions for 2025.
Some teams will attract average grades due to a lack of activity. Keep in mind that not all teams need to go out and sign five quality players.
That said, below are recruitment grades for the remaining eight teams heading into 2025:
In: Josh Addo-Carr, Dean Hawkins, Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax, Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani, Jack Williams
Out: Matt Arthur, Daejarn Asi, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Zac Cini, Clinton Gutherson, Morgan Harper, Jirah Momoisea, Lorenzo Mulitalo, Ky Rodwell, Ethan Sanders, Maika Sivo, Blaize Talagi
Re-signed: Matt Doorey, Charlie Guymer, Brendan Hands, J'maine Hopgood, Dan Keir, Bailey Simonsson, Jake Tago
The Eels went to market in a big way. They managed to sign some genuine future shaping signings. Zac Lomax being at the very top of that list.
Lomax was brilliant for both NSW and Australia last year while staring in an average Dragons outfit. His move back to the centres could make or break the Eels season.
Josh Addo-Carr was a luxury signing but a huge upgrade on anyone else available on the wing. Isaiah Iongi looks a real get after showing tremendous promise for the Panthers in the junior grades. Jack Williams is one of the most underrated pickups for 2025.
They have lost some serious cattle though. Reagan Campbell-Gillard was comfortably their best forward in 2024 while Blaize Talagi's loss will sting for a decade.
The King has departed, which, as a neutral, hurts me to type.Otherwise, though, no real harm done.
Re-signing J'maine Hopgood was key for their future. That bloke is enormous in the middle and will help set the platform for the Eels. There are no excuses for the Eels after adding three genuine stars for 2025.
Grading: A
