Recruitment and retention can literally make or break a season.
We've seen the Bulldogs evolve from competition also-rans into a Finals force thanks to aggressive recruitment drives.
We've seen the Sharks routinely play Finals footy under Craig Fitzgibbon based mainly on a retention strategy.
Today, we look at five teams that have signed or re-signed extremely well for next year. Please note that re-signings only include players who re-signed for the 2025 season.
For instance, Briton Nikora and Braydon Trindall have re-signed at Cronulla but as both were contracted for the 2025 season anyway, they won't be taken into account.
Below are the top five recruitment and retention drives for the 2025 season:
Honourable Mention: New Zealand Warriors: Ultimately they lost too much to land on the top five list but the James Fisher-Harris pick up was marquee business. Erin Clark is supremely underrated and young Samuel Healey looks a future star in the number nine.
Ins: Isaiah Papali'i, Blaize Talagi
Outs: Tyrone Peachey, James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva
Re-Signings: Izack Tago, Paul Alamoti, Luke Garner, Casey McLean, Jesse McLean, Daine Laurie, Luke Sommerton, Mitch Kenny, Preston Riki
Truthfully, I don't even look at the outs anymore. Ivan Cleary has proven it doesn't matter who the Panthers lose; the next Avenger is ready to step up.
Penrith have lost two genuine superstars but they were quick to replace them. Isaiah Papali'i will magically re-find his career-best form, while Blaize Talagai will become the game's next star in the six.
Casey McLean somehow looks an upgrade on Sunia Turuva. The freak rookie scored four tries for the Kiwis and you just know he'll cross for tries for laughs in 2025.
Penrith managed to re-sign both their centres in Tago and Alamoti despite plenty of interest. Luke Garner was magnificent last year and has also extended his stay in Penrith.
This, much like Cronulla, was a case of quality over quantity. Other teams have signed more players but Penrith have managed to replace their two major outs and re-sign some of their future stars.
The entire Rugby League world, outside of those at the foot of the mountains, is crying out for a Penrith down year.
Doesn't look like it'll happen any time soon!
I would have had Panthers and Sharks as my “top two” because, as you say, they have recruited quality rather than quantity.
Good luck to Parra trying to integrate seven new faces, or Wests trying to fit in six. With that many, no-one knows what the others are going to do.
Anyway, I’d be interested to read a follow-up article, saying who you think are the five _worst_ recruiters for 2025