When conversation ahead of the 2022 season has shifted to signings, the talk immediately goes to the likes of Adam Reynolds, Matt Burton, Kurt Capewell, Dane Gagai and Josh Addo-Carr.
While itโs true that they will be the names to set tongues wagging and have fans riding a wave of expectation at formerly struggling clubs heading into the new season, that doesnโt mean they are all their is to get excited about.
Every club has made off-season moves heading into the new season as they look to strengthen their squads, and with the exception of the Penrith Panthers, every club wants to have better performances and end results than they did in 2021.
Many of the bottom eight clubs from last year have recruited smartly, while others in the top eight have also made excellent signings.
Itโs the players who arenโt mentioned in every news story who could yet make the biggest difference to their new clubs as the 2022 season commences.
There were plenty to pick from as well, with the likes of Nick Meaney, Bailey Simonsson, Nick Cotric, Matt Ikuvalu, Ethan Bullemor and Xavier Coates all missing the top five, despite their strong credentials for the season ahead.
Here are the top five underrated signings heading into 2022.
4. Jamal Fogarty (Canberra Raiders from Gold Coast Titans)
This is the signing which is likely to either make or break the Raiders season.
If it comes off, then the Raiders have the talent to challenge for a spot in the top four come September and the end of the season. If it doesn't, then Fogarty will be lucky to have a spot in the run-on side and the Raiders will be lucky to be outside of the top four.
When George Williams left in the middle of the 2021 season, the Raiders were already struggling, but their dramatic fade out during the second half of the season, which eventually saw them miss the top eight altogether, was hardly an expected outcome for the Green Machine, who had been in most pundit's top six heading into the season, and had made the grand final at the end of 2019.
Fogarty, on the other hand, had been a star of the show in getting the Titans to the finals last year and while he was squeezed out of the club by plenty of young talent, it's now up to him to guide the Raiders back up the table.
Indirectly through his own form and kicking game, it will also be Fogarty's job to get Jack Wighton back to form, while he also will be responsible for directing traffic and ensuring the forward pack - which has a mountain more potential than it showed last year - get back to their best.
