I've said it before and I will continue to repeat it - recruitment drives can make or break seasons.
We've seen the Bulldogs transform from competition also-rans to Finals competitors mainly due to a season upon season recruitment drive.
Meanwhile the Tigers signed a host of players over the past three seasons and finished last on all three ocassions.
Today we're here to run a look over nine of the 17 NRL teams and their recruitment decisions for 2025.
Some teams will attract average grades due to a lack of activity. Keep in mind that not all teams need to go out and sign five quality players.
That said, below are recruitment grades for the first nine teams heading into 2025:
In: Sosaia Alatini, Tom Amone, Marcelo Montoya, Enari Tuala, Sitili Tupouniua, Patrick Young
Out: Josh Addo-Carr, Harrison Edwards, Poasa Faamausili, Joash Papalii, Chris Patolo, Hayze Perham, Jordan Samrani, Jeral Skelton, Zane Tetevano
Re-signed: Samuel Hughes, Max King, Jack Todd
The Dogs have been the most aggressive recruitment team in the competition for the past few seasons. They've built a side that returned to Finals footy over that time.
Sitili Tupouniua and Marcelo Montoya are clever pick ups. Both can fill roles and offer from Round One.
Jeral Skelton is a loss out wide, so is Addo-Carr, but neither are going to break any hearts by moving on.
Max King's re-signing was huge while Sam Hughes looks a real prospect.
A very quiet season by Dogs recent standards but truthfully they are set up now and just needed the final pieces. A C grade may sound rough but they didn't need a big influx.
Grading: C
