The recruitment decisions of the Warriors, Raiders, Dogs and Eels are the next to come under the microscope, as well as look to those off-contract players each club should target.
Related: 2018 Recruitment Gradings – Tigers, Knights, Titans, Rabbitohs
Without knowing the exact salary cap position of each side, take the suggestions with a grain of salt, but given reports, and common sense, they are players each side would likely be able to recruit.
In: Fa'amanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks, 2019), Kieran Foran (New Zealand Warriors, 2020), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers, 2021)
Out: Josh Reynolds (Wests Tigers)
Off Contract: Michael Doolan, Craig Garvey, Rod Griffin, Michael Lichaa, Tyrone Phillips, Andy Saunders, Chase Stanley
Re-signed: Adam Elliott (2020), Danny Fualalo (2019), Kerrod Holland (2020), Will Hopoate (2020), Marcelo Montoya (2020), Reimis Smith (2019), Renouf To'omaga (2020), Aiden Tolman (2020)
The Dogs have attracted two major signings that will help reshape their side, and hopefully their future, with Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods to join the side from 2018 onward. Although more departures are expected, at this time only Sam Kasiano and Josh Reynolds look set to exit Belmore. If somehow the Dogs can balance those books, then they become a far more dangerous side next season.
Should Target: Cheap forwards
Surely the Dogs spending spree is over. Surely Michael Lichaa is on his way out of the club, while Sam Kasiano looks set to join the Storm. Greg Eastwood is rumoured to be on his way also. The Dogs need to find bodies to provide depth, however, won't have a huge amount of funds to do so. They need to find value, likely from the graduating class of a club's NYC side.
Grading: B
Two amazing signings in Foran and Woods will provide a huge shot in the collective Bulldog arm next season. The Dogs lack an organisational half with a kicking game. Foran fills that exact role. They also lack a forward with a genuine punch as both Graham, Tolman and Jackson have lacked support. The cavalry arrives in the form of NSW and Kangaroos prop Aaron Woods. A few clever re-signings, mainly Will Hopoate, sees the Dogs only get stronger next season. Josh Reynolds isn't the biggest loss on the field, but his departure has ripped the heart out of the team and fans off the field. That loss sees the Dogs grading fall.
In: Manaia Cherrington (Cronulla Sharks, 2018), Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm, 2021), Leivaha Pulu (Gold Coast Titans, 2020), Zac Santo (Canberra Raiders, 2018)
Out: Erin Clark (Canberra Raiders), Kieran Foran (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Tuimoala Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Ben Matulino (Wests Tigers), Toafofoa Sipley (Manly Sea Eagles)
Off Contract: Matthew Allwood, Charlie Gubb, Ryan Hoffman, Jacob Lillyman, Ofahiki Ogden, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete
Re-signed: Blake Ayshford (2019), James Gavet (2019), Ata Hingano (2020), Shaun Johnson (2019), Mason Lino (2019), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (2019), Ligi Sao (2019), Patrick Sipley (2018), Lewis Soosemea (2019), Joe Vuna (2019)
The Warriors have landed one huge in, have re-signed arguably their best ever player, yet have lost a premiership winning half as well as an international forward. Their recruitment may come down to whether or not they can re-sign their talented off-contract forwards.
Should Target: Blake Ferguson/Jordan Kahu. Re-sign Gubb.
The Warriors lack a genuine freakish game-breaker in the outside backs. NSW and Roos star Blake Ferguson would provide them with experience, talent and try-scoring ability. Doing the sums, it wouldn't be impossible to imagine the club could match offers elsewhere, and given the inconsistent form of the likes of Kata, Ayshford and co, there'd be a first-grade spot available. Jordan Kahu is another option and another who may enjoy moving home to his native New Zealand. The club needs to re-signing Charlie Gubb, who is a much-improved player with plenty of upside.
Grading: C-
Tohu Harris is a brilliant signing. The Kiwi-born back rower rounds out a fearsome back row of Thompson, Mannering and the soon to be former Storm star. Shaun Johnson's re-signing was absolutely key, as to lose their favourite son would have been a near lethal loss. To lose Foran, Lolohea, and Matulino though means the Warriors about break even. If they lose Lillyman/Hoffman and/or Thompson, then there better be some young players coming through who are ready to step up quick smart.
In: Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors, 2019)
Out: Zac Santo (New Zealand Warriors), Jordan Turner (Huddersfield Giants)
Off Contract: Lachlan Croker, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Makahesi Makatoa, Kato Ottio, Scott Sorensen, Dave Taylor
Re-signed: Joey Leilua (2020), Jordan Rapana (2019), Jack Wighton (2020)
Three huge re-signings in Leila, Rapana and Wighton, three of the club's most potent attacking weapons. In terms of ins and outs, I honestly couldn't tell you a whole lot about any of the players involved. The Raiders don't need a whole lot more. This is a side that probably should have been there on Grand Final day last season.
Should Target: A utility
The Raiders have so much talent, but for some reason, they just aren't consistently getting the job done in 2017. You'd be crazy to rule them out after their 2016 heroics, but when things aren't going right, there's no plan B. The Raiders need an option off the bench to change things up if all is not going to plan. They won't have a whole lot of funds available, or a first-grade position to offer, so they'd need to target the likes of a Joseph Paulo, Tyrone Roberts or Kurt Mann. Slim pickings.
Grading: C
The Raiders get a C here for the simple fact that they've barely done anything. That's not that great, but it's certainly not bad. This isn't a side that requires wholesale changes. Players currently at the club can get the job done, they just need to do it more often. As mentioned, the re-signings of their right-hand side, plus their fullback, means the Raiders can continue to build toward something special without too much upheaval. Probably don't expect too many more movements, this is a settled side.
In: Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters, 2020), Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers, 2019)
Out: Jamal Fogarty, James Hasson (released), Semi Radradra (rugby union), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers)
Off Contract: Kirisome Auva'a, Nathan Davis, Bureta Faraimo, John Folau, David Gower, George Jennings, Cameron King, Cody Nelson, Marata Niukore, Rory O'Brien, Frank Pritchard, Jeff Robson, Scott Schulte, Will Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Honeti Tuha, Matthew Woods
Re-signed: Tepai Moeroa (2019)
Mitch Moses is the obvious big in, although I still maintain he doesn't make the side's genuine strongest 13. Semi Radradra is the obvious big out, although he looks like he will return next season following a stint in French rugby. They've re-signed Moeroa, a solid and clever second rower, and haven't really moved too quickly elsewhere. All looks almost settled at the Eels, and for good reason. Expect a few re-signings and a few bargain buys. The salary cap looks almost full out Parra way.
Should Target: Brenton Lawrence. Re-sign Auva'a/Folau
The Eels run on 13 is pretty dangerous. There isn't an obvious weakness there. Perhaps their depth is a little lacking, but the signing of Lawrence and the penning of Auva'a and Folau to new deals will help calm those concerns. Given the makeup of the side, there can't be a spare 350,000+ to sign a genuine star, but Brenton Lawrence offers another option off the bench, as well as value.
Grading: C
Another almost 'default' grading. The Eels haven't needed to do a whole lot as they look toward 2018 and beyond, although there are a few players off-contract that they'd like to tie down if possible. Another club who shouldn't expect too much in terms of action in the market. The Eels should have found a way to go all in for Nathan Peats, but have since withdrawn interest.