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: Isaiah Papali'i, Blaize Talagi
Out: Jett Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Isaiah Iongi, Ativalu Lisati, Jarome Luai Francis Manuleleua, Taylan May, Tyrone Peachey, Sunia Turuva
Re-signed: Paul Alamoti, Luke Garner, Mitch Kenny, Daine Laurie, Casey McLean, Jesse McLean, Preston Riki, Luke Sommerton, Izack Tago
The Panthers have continued their quality-over-quantity approach in fixing their two needs.
In losing Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris they needed a halfback and a middle forward.
Isaiah Papali'i's signing with allow Liam Martin to move into the middle while Blaize Talagi could be literally anything in that Panthers system.
As usual, the Panthers have lost a lot. Luai and JFH are going to be near impossible to replace, while Turuva was a star out wide.
Flat chat though, I don't care who the Panthers lose. They've shown for three years they're able to replace them with the next Avenger to step up.
Alamoti, Garner, McLean x2 and Tago are all huge re-signings. So, too, Mitch Kenny, who just goes about his business with zero fuss.
I can't give them an A because they lost so much talent, but I just assume Cleary has nailed his recruitment until they stop winning titles for fun.
Grading: B
