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Top 5 NRL recruits for 2019

Who makes your Top 5?

Published by
Chiranth Krishnakumar

Every diehard rugby league fan knows that NRL pre-seasons are always the worst.

On the positive note, it gives us a chance to salivate at the prospect of new recruits at different clubs.

Here I rank what I believe to be the Top 5 signings of season 2019.

Leeson Ah Mau

Moving over to the NZ Warriors to stay in touch with his family, Ah Mau has largely been an unheralded figure for the Dragons in the last few seasons. For St George, Ah Mau was typically coming off the bench and utilised in a power role by Mary McGregor. Now playing potentially 55 mins a game as starting prop, with a terrific offload in his arsenal, I'm expecting Leeson to be the forward leader of the Warriors pack and potentially become one of the premier props in the league.

TOOWOOMBA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Leeson Ah Mau of the Dragons takes on the defence during the round three NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Clive Berghofer Stadium on March 25, 2018 in Toowoomba, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

John Bateman

Coming over from the Super League, and recognised as a candidate for the Man of Steel Award, I'm expecting big things from this Bradford born Englishmen. I've watched Bateman quite closely over the last few seasons, and have waited for the opportunity to watch him play in the NRL. An old school dynamic edge backrower possessing a very strong work rate. A perennial tackle breaker with a terrific offload, look for Bateman to potentially spark the attack for the Raiders through the middle.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: John Bateman of Wigan Warriors celebrates victory following the BetFred Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford on October 13, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

David Klemmer

The Novocastrians look to be a completely different roster to the one that finished in the bottom 8 last season. One of Nathan Brown's premier moves has to be signing David Klemmer from the Bulldogs. Already considered as one of the premier props in the league, I see Klemmer improving his offloading ability at the Knights which could open up a lot of gaps for speed men like Connor Watson and Kalyn Ponga.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: David Klemmer of the Bulldogs in action during the round 16 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canterbury Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium on June 30, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Angus Crichton

The man they call 'Gus' heads over to the oldest rival of his former club in the South Sydney Rabbitohs. With the loss of Ryan Matterson, look for Crichton to fill the 80-minute void seamlessly. Since his debut, Crichton has been an extremely consistent workhorse as an edge back-rower, possessing great second phase. With the likes of Tedesco improving his ball playing ability and the experience of Cronk on his inside shoulder, I'm expecting a lot more tries and try assists to his tally.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Angus Crichton of the Rabbitohs celebrates victory during the NRL Semi Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Shaun Johnson

Johnson is arguably the best runner of a football in the league. His footwork and sharp step on both feet are absolutely second to none. Moving across the ditch to the Cronulla Sharks I see SJ going to another level. On the back of a very formidable and experienced forward pack providing the yardage, along with the departure of Valentine Holmes to the NFL, look for Johnson to be the focal point in the attack in the Sharks backline.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 06: Shaun Johnson poses during a Cronulla Sharks NRL media opportunity at Sharks Leagues Club on December 06, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Published by
Chiranth Krishnakumar