Top 10 Signings of 2017

As with previous seasons, 2017 has seen a number of players making a huge impact for their new club. Check out the Top 10 signings of 2017 below! Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos) [caption id="attachment_28229" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 01: Korbin Sims lines up for a run during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session on March 1, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Korbin Sims has been great for Brisbane this year being a leader in the young, inexperienced forward pack. He has shown aggression up front, which has helped build momentum for the Broncos. He has been dominant in tackles which have helped slow the play the ball. The move from Newcastle has been great, transforming him to a new player. Honourable Mentions: Tautau Moga, Brenko Lee, Tyrell Fuimaono, Zane Tetevano Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm) [caption id="attachment_27893" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Josh Addo-Carr of the Melbourne Storm runs with the ball during the round eight NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park on April 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] This guy has speed to burn. Arguably the fastest in the NRL, "The Fox" is 4th for tries (13) and equal 2nd in line breaks (15). Addo-Carr is a massive threat for the opposition and has an unbelievable ability to find the try-line. Having a player with this much speed on the edge of the Queensland spine will always spell success. He is having a one-on-one battle with Suliasi Vunivalu as the Storm has one of the most dangerous backlines in the competition. Replacing Koroibete is no easy task but Addo-Carr has done a sensational job of that. Michael Gordon (Sydney Roosters) [caption id="attachment_28140" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 28: Michael Gordon of the Roosters makes a line break during the round 12 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roostrers at GIO Stadium on May 28, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] This veteran fullback has been one of the reasons that the Roosters are now a premiership threat. Last year at Parramatta, Gordon was not up to his high standards. However, this year Gordon is one of the best fullbacks in the NRL. Michael Gordon is kicking at 79%. Gordon is so valuable to the Roosters, in attack and defence. Without Gordon, Roosters would certainly not be sitting in the top 8. Jarrod Wallace (Gold Coast Titans) [caption id="attachment_27774" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Jarrod Wallace of the Titans looks dejected during the round six NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)[/caption] Jarrod Wallace has been sensational for Gold Coast this season. He has averaged 146m and 34 tackles per game. His performances in 2017, have forced Queensland selectors to pick him for the Maroons. Wallace has been a standout in the Titans forward pack that has struggled due to many injuries. At only 25, his best years are yet to come. Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels) [caption id="attachment_28230" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Nathan Brown of the Eels in action during the round five NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Parramatta Eels at GIO Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Nathan Brown has shown real aggression this season and his stats back up his on-field performances. In 2017, Nathan Brown is ranked 10th in total run meters, averaging a crazy 148 meters per game. On top of that, he has averaged 32 tackles. He has played 80 minutes 5 times this season, and 3 in as many weeks. He keeps getting better and better every week and has been discussed as a possible origin replacement if Cordner and Frizell prove to be unavailable. Brown has been unbelievable this year and has been one of Parramatta’s best players this year. Akuila Uate (Manly Sea Eagles) [caption id="attachment_28231" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Akuila Uate of the Sea Eagles celebrates victory after the round nine NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium on April 28, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Playing reserve grade for the team coming last is not a good thing. Akuila Uate has switched clubs in the off-season and now is one of the competition's best wingers. Uate is averaging 116 meters per game and is equal 5th for tries (10), and equal 9th for line breaks (11). Uate has re-discovered his old form which earned him a spot in State of Origin. This has been a quality buy from Manly. Matt McIlwrick (Wests Tigers) [caption id="attachment_27925" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Matt McIlwrick of the Tigers passes the ball during the round 13 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on June 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)[/caption] People may not think this signing deserves a spot on this list, but it definitely does. Matt McIlwrick has been one of the Tigers best players and he often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. McIllwrick has great service out of dummy half, which gives much more time to Luke Brooks and Tuimoala Lolohea. The hooker is also not afraid to have a run if there are no markers. He is the Tigers best defensive player as he is able to hit the ball carrier, drive him backwards, wrestle him to the ground and slow the play the ball. Many players do this, butMcIlwrick does it every week. In a Tigers pack that lacks in size, strength and ability, McIlwrick has been an amazing buy for the Tigers. Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters) [caption id="attachment_26353" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Luke Keary of the Roosters passes during the round four NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on March 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Luke Keary has been a revelation for the Roosters. In the pre-season, Keary made the switch to the cross-town rivals and it has paid dividends. Keary is equal 1st for line break assists and equal 3rd for try assists. Keary has been a major threat in attack for the tri-colors and has impressed many players and fans. This has been a great buy for Trent Robinson and may bring the Roosters a premiership. Cameron McInnes (St George Illawarra Dragons) [caption id="attachment_25951" align="aligncenter" width="2141"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Cameron McInnes of the Dragons passes during the round two NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium on March 12, 2017 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Unlucky to miss out on State of Origin, Cameron McInnes has been a contributing factor to why the Dragons are now a top 8 side. He is ranked 2nd in total tackles with 740 and is averaging 46.3 per game. He has played every game for the Dragons and has a tackle efficiency rate of 98%. McInnes has improved the Dragons side from a wooden spoon contender to a genuine top 8 side. Cameron McInnes has been a great buy and great value for the Red V. Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons) [caption id="attachment_28222" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 19: Paul Vaughan of the Dragons charges forward during the round 11 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Waikato Stadium on May 19, 2017 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] Paul Vaughan has been the arguably the buy of the season. He has contributed to the Dragons improvement in the forwards and was very unlucky to miss out on a Blues jumper. After struggling to cement a starting spot in the nation’s capital, Vaughan went to the Dragons and has been their best forward (ahead of Russell Packer, Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell). Vaughan was equal 4th on the Dally M Leaderboard with 14 points before the voting went behind closed doors. Paul Vaughan is in the box seat to win 2017 buy of the season.