The 2023 season now seems like it ended many, many months ago.
With a large number of players returning to pre-season training, attention has quickly and firmly turned to the 2024 campaign.
With a new season comes new hope, new opportunities and most importantly of all, new recruits!
Today I'm going to rank the ins, outs and re-signings of each of the clubs who finished outside of the finals in 2023.
Not every player will be mentioned, just the ones I see making an impact.
Major ins: Aidan Sezer, Jayden Sullivan, Declan Casey, Latu Fainu, Samuela Fainu
Major outs: Luke Brooks
Re-signed: Jahream Bula, Apisai Koroisau, Starford To'a
The most interesting recruitment move for the Tigers in '24 if the departure of Luke Brooks. This felt well overdue for both player and club alike.
Replacing him are both Aidan Sezer and Jayden Sullivan, although Adam Doueihi's return from injury will also feel like a new arrival.
I'd imagine Benji Marshall's halves combination will be made up with two of those three players. Young Latu Fainu arrives with monster wraps but isn't ready yet.
Declan Casey adds depth to the Tigers outside backs. Starford To'a re-signed and looks a more than capable long-term option.
The club simply had to re-sign future star Jahream Bula, and did so very quickly. Api Koroisau's contract extension should be celebrated from the rooftops.
Both Latu brothers arrivals will be looked back upon as club changing, albeit in a few seasons time.
All the moves made were positive but unfortunately it doesn't fill me with confidence that the side is anywhere near Final contenders next season.
Grade: C
Major ins: Kyle Flanagan, Hame Sele
Major outs: Jayden Sullivan
Re-signed: Jack de Belin, Blake Lawrie, Jacob Liddle, Mikaele Ravalawa
Incoming coach Shane Flanagan very obviously sees deficiencies in his squad. I've lost count of the amount of players he and the Dragons have been linked to.
In Kyle Flanagan they have brought in a halves partner for Ben Hunt. That was the number one need. Flanagan played his best footy to date under the guidance of his father.
Hame Sele's arrival adds aggression and size to a pack that was loudly yelling out for help.
The only player of note to depart the club was Jayden Sullivan, a player that replaced and probably even upgraded upon.
Blake Lawrie had a monster 2023 while Jacob Liddle was among the red V's best almost every week. Both clever re-signings.
With the greatest of respects to Flanagan and Sele, neither look capable of dragging the Dragons out of the bottom few next season.
Watch this space because Flanagan Sr has his eyes on some superstar recruits. As it stands though, the Dragons have hardly improved at all.
Grade: D
Major ins: Stephen Crichton, Josh Curran, Bronson Xerri, Blake Taaffe
Major outs: Tevita Pangai Junior, Kyle Flanagan, Jake Averillo, Luke Thompson
Re-signed: Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Jacob Preston, Blake Wilson
For the seemingly tenth season in a row, the Dogs have undertaken an aggressive recruitment drive.
The jewel in the crown is very obviously Stephen Crichton, who brings with him an incredible pedigree. The result of his move to fullback will have a huge say in how the Dogs go in 2024.
Broncos Xerri arrives after serving out a four year ban. If he can rediscover his form then he'll be a very handy pickup. Expect him to start in NSW Cup to get his legs.
Josh Curran is a brilliant inclusion and adds power to an often beaten pack. Blake Taaffe is far too good for NSW Cup and is a very handy signing.
In terms of loses, they've moved on three players I wouldn't see too many tears shed over. Unfortunately they were unable to retain Jake Averillo but you can't keep them all.
Preston and Kiraz were magnificent last season and their re-signings were vital in building the club.
The Dogs absolutely needed a roster refresh after a dire 2023 season. They've signed an out and out superstar, albeit to play a different position, two very good additions and a string of squad players.
They've legit signed five or six clever utilities. You can only really play one. I guess there's a plan there somewhere.
Crichton's signature lands them a high grade but this could very much go either way.
Grade: B-
Major ins: Keenan Palasia
Major outs: None
Re-signed: Jayden Campbell, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Moeaki Fotuaika, Brian Kelly, Phillip Sami
Truthfully this campaign was more about re-signing their mega star forward due, they're two young guns and some very talented, rep quality players.
Keenan Palasia is a clever pick up. A big, young forward coming off a good season. There's always a place for that.
They've managed to ensure they're not losing any players of note.
Re-signing wise, they had to move heaven and earth to ensure club captain Big Tino remained on the holiday strip. For the next decade no less.
Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira both have huge futures at the Titans.
Sami, Fotuaika and Kelly were all celebrated re-signings, and rightly so.
They enter 2024 with pretty much the same squad as 2023. Des Hasler will have to work some miracles given they never looked like genuine Finals contenders.
It's for that reason that they get a passing grade and nothing more.
Grade: C
Major ins: Herbie Farnworth, Jake Averillo, Thomas Flegler
Major outs: None
Re-signed: Tom Gilbert, Jamayne Isaako, Connelly Lemuelu, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tesi Niu, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Straight up, I think the Dolphins recruitment haul is the best across the entire competition for 2024.
They signed arguably the game's best centre in Herbie Farnworth as well as an Origin starter in Thomas Flegler.
They also added Jake Averillo, who was clearly the Dogs best player last season. His injury is supremely unlucky but his future is still very, very bright.
They moved on a few players but no one of great importance.
Wayne Bennett and co were also able to re-signing 2023 standouts Tom Gilbert, Jamayne Isaako, Connelly Lemuele, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tesi Niue and the Hammer.
A brilliant job done by the NRL's new boys. They should see a huge improvement in 2024.
Grade: A
Major ins: Luke Brooks, Jaxson Paulo
Major outs: Latu Fainu, Sean Keppie
Re-signed: Ethan Bullemor, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Lachlan Croker, Reuben Garrick, Tolutau Koula, Taniela Paseka, Josh Schuster, Toafofoa Sipley, Christian Tuipulotu
Manly needed a halves partner for Daly Cherry-Evans. Josh Schuster, despite all his talents, just didn't translate in 2023.
Luke Brooks needed a change of scenery after an up and down stint with the Tigers that ended with him awkwardly accepting a BBQ.
This feels a match made in heaven and I would not be shocked to see Brooks play his best footy in new colours.
They also managed to re-sign of a host of future stars, including their two breakout big men from 2023 and Sipley and Paseka.
Sean Keppie is an unfortunate loss but is well covered.
In young Latu Fainu they have lost a potential star. Brooks is very much more ready to go now, and with DCE approaching the end of his career, I absolutely understand the move.
I would be shocked if we see anything other than a big improvement from Manly in 2024.
Grade: B-
Major ins: Jake Clifford
Major outs: Peta Hiku
Re-signed: Tom Dufty, Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson
The Cowboys return to the paddock after missing the Finals in 2023. They needed a squad refresh but unfortunately it hasn't come.
Peta Hiku's loss will be felt but there's more than enough there to cover.
Jake Clifford's return to the club improves their halves stocks and gives an option if they decide to move on from Chad Townsend.
The Cowboys fought off a host of teams to re-sign Jeremiah Nanai. Robson and Chester were also extended.
Other than that though, there's not too much to be excited about.
Grade: C-
Major ins: Morgan Harper
Major outs: Josh Hodgson
Re-signed: Dylan Brown, Bryce Cartwright, Wiremu Greig, J'maine Hopgood, Mitchell Moses, Will Penisini, Maika Sivo
I still cannot believe the Eels missed Finals footy in 2023. How could that side possibly finish below nine sides?
Despite the final finishing spot, I believe there is a top few finish in this squad. So it's encouraging they enter 2024 with an almost identical list.
Josh Hodgson is a big loss, on paper only.
Morgn Harper is an option out wide, I guess. Eels fans weren't holding any parades for the announcement.
Re-signing wise they've nailed down their starting halves, two starting forwards, their try scoring freak out wide and their starting centre.
The squad is strong, but recruitment wise ... uninspiring.
Grade: C
Major ins: Jack Wighton, Sean Keppie
Major outs: Hame Sele, Blake Taaffe
Re-signed: Jai Arrow, Thomas Burgess, Damien Cook, Campbell Graham, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Tevita Tatola, Cody Walker
I am fully aware of the fact Souths missed the finals last year. I cannot understand it, I don't know how it happened, but here we are.
The Bunnies boast a title contending squad. A squad they've managed to largely hold onto for the forseeable future.
Keon Koloamatangi's re-signing is a huge lift for the club. He would have been chased by 10 clubs if allowed to hit the open market.
A host of big names have been retained including their three stars in the spine.
Loss wise, both Sele and Taaffe played their part but will receive better opportunities at their new clubs.
Sean Seppie is a very handy pickup.
Jack Wighton though is a future altering signing. His move into the centres gives them one of the game's best centre pairings.
It's frightening to think this side just landed an Origin level player.
I can't see a world where they miss the Finals in 2024.
Grade: A