It may only be July (coming into August) but each and every team is already looking to their 2022 seasons and beyond. It's the nature of the rugby league beast.
Nothing can turn around a team's fortunes as quickly as an aggressive, successful recruitment drive.
In reverse, nothing can stunt a team's forward momentum, or even send them backwards, like losing a string of important players without bringing in replacements.
This season we saw a number of big name players off contract. Unfortunately we've also seen players released due to a variety of reasons.
Teams have been busy shaping their rosters for next year on both the signing and re-signing side of things. We take a look at the five teams who had lead the way... to date:
4. Sydney Roosters
Another team who is yet to add players for next season, but honestly their re-signing spree has proven far more impressive than a host of clubs who have added names.
The Roosters fought off almost every other club in the NRL to re-sign Angus Crichton. It may only be for one year as the State of Origin star backs himself to prove his worth, but there was huge money on offer from other clubs.
Sam Walker is either going to win, or go very close, to rookie of the year honours. His re-signing was a coup for the club. They can now build around a young and elite halves partnership.
Daniel Tupou looked on his way out of the club but has re-mained. Sam Verrills looks the future of the number 9 in Bondi after extending his stay three seasons.
Up front they tied down future Origin regular Lindsay Collins and one of the game's brightest young stars in Sitili Tupouniua.
Every single one of those players looked in high demand and all had the skill to quickly change the fortunes of many teams.
Despite losing a host of stars to retirement, the Chooks future looks extremely bright as a result of an A+ re-signing spree.
Rugby League Outlaws talk the Dale Finucane signing
