Recruitment can make or break a season.
Late last year we broke down the best recruitment drives, the best decisions and the clubs who look set to rise as a result.
Today we look at the individual recruits.
This isn't just a "best players to move" list. This is more based on which recruits help their team the most in 2025 and beyond.
As always, this is purely an opinion and not meant to guide any life choices.
With that said, below are the Top 10 recruits for 2025:
Most readers won't even know who Sam Healey is. Mark my words, this kid is electric out of dummy half and will prove to be something special.
He played a massive part in the Newtown Jets NSW Cup winning campaign in 2025 and should become an important part of the Warriors one-two punch at hooker.
Penrith, on the back of what is now like 15 straight Grand Final wins, went out and signed their bitter rival's best young talent.
Blaize Talagi lit it up for the Eels across multiple positions in 2024 and looks to have a monster future.
That future will be realised in the colours of the Panthers, who look set to partner the youngster with the game's premier playmaker.
He has all the talent to fit right in and help continue the Panthers run of great success.
Let me be brutally honest here in saying there are 15 better recruits in terms of where they are in their career, but Clint Gutherson's signing is pure genius from the Dragons.
The Dragons are a club lacking leadership. This was made obvious by the fact they made two recruits their co-captains.
Shane Flanagan is trying to re-build a culture for those wearing the Red V and Clint Gutherson is the perfect man to help lead that.
He literally sacrificed his body for the Eels, and I have no doubt he'll become a fan favourite on and off the field at the Dragons.
I was extremely dissappointed in big Stefano's 2024 efforts. He looked as though he didn't want to be at the Tigers and thus didn't live up to his enormous potential.
Doesn't that just scream Craig Bellamy success story!?
Bellamy has made a career out of turning decent players into stars and you can mark Stefano Utoikamanu down as the next player to be transformed.
Utoikamanu is an Origin-level prop who has now moved into a top-two system in the competition. Watch out!
The fact Cowboys fans made Val's leaving the club seem like a positive just doesn't land with me.
He was having a "down" season by his own lofty standards, but the Cowboys were shot ducks in their final game against the Sharks until a Valentine Holmes masterclass.
If Holmes hadn't gone down injured, who knows what would have happened?
The Dragons needed an Origin-level outside back to replace Zac Lomax. In Holmes, they absolutely nailed the assignment.
In terms of pure talent, I can be talked into placing Lomax a lot high on this list. I just worry that his best season came on the wing and he'll be returning to the centres.
Make no mistake, I believe Lomax will be a huge hit in the blue and gold and will improve their backline in a big way.
Again, though, the fact Shane Flanagan refused to move him back to the centres, a move that sealed his move to the Eels, says a lot.
My prediction is that he'll add an aerial threat that few can match. He'll score a heap of tries and should make the Eels must-watch in 2025.
The Tigers recent recruitment has been good, albeit not with the improvement that you'd have expected.
That said, they lacked a presence up front. A frightening middle who would have opposing middle forwards worried on their drive to the ground.
Terrell May was a gift-wrapped, perfect present dropped off at their doorstep by the Roosters.
His efforts and aggression up front will lay a platform for the Tigers creative players that they haven't had in years.
Ben Hunt was the most difficult to place here.
On the one hand, you have an Origin and Kangaroo regular who had 30 try assists for his club in 2024.
On the other hand, you have a 34-year-old, defensive liability who the Dragons and their fans seemingly couldn't wait to move on from the club.
Ultimately I believe Hunt will shift to hooker for the Broncos and improve them massively. He honestly shapes as the missing peace for a Brisbane side who should be among the title contenders in 2025.
When the Warriors lost Addin Fonua-Blake, the general feeling is that no player could replace him ... until James Fisher-Harris was announced as signing for the club.
This is the literal perfect replacement for AFB. Not only does JFH bring a similar game, but he brings experience, leadership and a winning mentality.
Set to form a fearsome front-row combination with Mitchell Barnett, I can't wait to see what the Premiership winner brings to the club.
On and off the park, the Warriors could not have added a better player or person.
If you asked every single Shark who their ideal signing for 2025 was, the names Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake would dominate.
The Sharks lacked one thing in 2024: a genuine, metre-eating pack leader. In AFB they have added one of the top two props in the game.
Fonua-Blake averaged 170 run metres a game in 2024 and hasn't had his average drop below 150 in six years.
The Sharks are a completely different beast with AFB leading the charge.
You want to talk about future-changing ability when it comes to signings, look no further than multiple time Premiership and Origin winning half Jarome Luai.
Luai excelled at halfback when called upon for the Panthers and will be a brilliant mentor for young gun Lachlan Galvin.
The only concern with Luai has been his attitude. Since arriving at the Tigers he has lead every media day and has spent hours, above and beyond, with fans.
Luai has 100% bought in and looks to be the signing of 2025.
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