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: Jett Bryce, Ben Hunt
Out: Corey Oates, Jordan Pereira, Tristan Sailor
Re-signed: Coby Black, Ezra Mam, Brendan Piakura, Adam Reynolds, Jordan Riki, Josh Rogers, Tyson Smoothy, Martin Taupau, Reece Walsh, Billy Walters
Adding Ben Hunt is massive. It re-opens the premiership window that we saw slammed shut due to 2024s horror efforts.
That said, they had issues elsewhere that have not been addressed. Their bench looks to be one of the weaker in the competition.
Tristan Sailor is a talented back-up but neither he, Corey Oates or Jordan Pereira are monumental losses.
Re-signing Reece Walsh and Ezra Mama (prior to his off-field issues) were coups of the highest order. Both should hold their spots in the Broncos spine for many years to come.
The biggest recruit may have come off the field with Michael Maguire looking to return the Broncos to former glory.
Weird thing to type seeing as the Broncos should have won the 2023 Grand Final, but that is where the club us at right now.
Grading: C+
In: Myles Martin, Matty Nicholson, Shaun Packer, Owen Pattie, Joe Roddy, Ethan Sanders, Peter Taateo, Savelio Tamale, Manaia Waitere
Out: Nick Cotric, Peter Hola, Hohepa Puru , Jordan Rapana, James Schiller, Adrian Trevilyan, Elliott Whitehead, Zac Woolford
Re-signed: Michael Asomua, Jamal Fogarty, Ata Mariota, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo, Ethan Strange, Peter Taateo, Matthew Timoko, Kaeo Weekes
Ethan Sanders is a brilliant, young pick up. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do as a regular NRL starter.
Outside of that though, there isn't too much to be excited about in terms of instant impact.
In terms of the outs, it will be strange to watch the Raiders sans Jordan Rapana. Elliott Whitehead is a loss but you can't begrudge him retiring.
The real work has come in the re-signings. Kaeo Weekes is special, Matt Timoko is unstoppable on his day, Ethan Strange can be anything and Jamal Forgarty has been a revelation.
This legit feels like a scratch. No major improvement, no untennble losses. Given the Raiders missed Finals last season, that doesn't look good enough.
Grading: D
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
In: Addin Fonua-Blake, Hohepa Puru
Out: Samuel Healey, Royce Hunt, Jack Williams
Re-Signed: Jayden Berrell, Billy Burns, Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro, Oregon Kaufusi, Niwhai Puru, Toby Rudolf, Chris Vea'ila
The Sharks opted for quality over quantity whilst addressing their biggest need, a pack leader!
Addin Fonua-Blake is the literal perfect signing as he delivers the big, aggressive, metre-eating forward the Sharks lacked in 2024.
Hohepa Puru is a brilliant depth signing and looks set to fill in at lock when called upon. He'll, at least, add an an experienced head to the Sharks feeder club, the Jets.
Sam Healey is an exciting talent but with Chaz Jarvis in the ranks, something had to give. Royce Hunt and Jack Williams are big losses, literally, but are easily covered.
Kayal Iro and Jesse Colquhoun are going to play a massive part in the Sharks side over the next few seasons and are marquee re-signings.
Grading: A
In: Max Feagai, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Tevita Naufahu, Daniel Saifiti, Junior Tupou
Out: Euan Aitken, Jesse Bromwich, Lachlan Hubner, Edrick Lee, Tesi Niu, Tevita Pangai Junior
Re-signed: Jack Bostock, Kurt Donoghoe, Trai Fuller, Isaiya Katoa, Jeremy Marshall-King, Mark Nicholls, Kodi Nikorima, Max Plath, Ray Stone, Mason Teague
The Dophins added two genuine starters in Daniel Saifiti and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. They both improve the side right off the bat.
Loss wise, I rate Euan Aitken while Tesi Niu is one of the most underrated players on the day. Truthfully though, they haven't lost much.
The Dolphins extended three quarters of their starting spine as well as their back-up fullback. Isaiya Katoa looks set to be the next superstar in the halves.
Rookie of the year Jack Bostock extended while fellow rookie fun Max Plath also penned an extension.
They did tremendous work to keep the future of the club together while adding two rep quality forward.
Grading: B
In: Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tukimihia Simpkins
Out: Tanah Boyd, Erin Clark, Isaac Liu, Seth Nikotemo, Keenan Palasia, Aaron Schoupp
Re-signed: Jacob Alick-Wiencke, AJ Brimson, David Fifita, Kieran Foran, Klese Haas, Chris Randall
Reagan Campbell-Gillard is a huge in. He had a marvellous season for the Eels last year and will add another rep level quality forward to the side.
Erin Clark is a loss but otherwise, I can't find a Titans fan who is upset about their losses.
David Fifita's re-signing was the best piece of business. They managed to change their marquee player's mind despite him signing for the ROosters.
AJ Brimson is also a brilliant re-signing ... if they ever work out what to do with him.
The Titans needed to improve. They really didn't. Hard to get excited about their drive. Lucky to avoid an F if I'm being harsh.
Grading: D
In: Michael Chee-Kam, Simione Laiafi, Zaidas Muagututia, Chris Patolo, D'Jazirhae Pua'Avase, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Jazz Tevaga
Out: Ben Condon, Bailey Hodgson, Jamie Humphreys, Karl Lawton, Brad Parker, Jaxson Paulo, Josh Schuster, Aaron Woods
Re-signed: Josh Aloiai, Nathan Brown, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Haumole Olakau'atu, Taniela Paseka, Jason Saab, Ben Trbojevic, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
Manly welcome a host of players in; none of which really excite me.
Jazz Tevaga is 110% effort while Siosiua Taukeiaho was, at one point, one of the world's elite middles. That was a while back now though.
Re their losses ... again, I have almost no emotion. Josh Schuster promised so much but his leaving the club was a benefit to both parties.
Haumole Olakau'atu and Taniela Paseka re-signing long-term deals is massive. They will make up huge parts of the Manly pack for many years to come. Great business.
Overall they've gained little, most almost nothing and continue to rely on their superstars. Nothing has changed.
Grading: C
In: Moses Leo, Stefano Utoikamanu
Out: Chris Lewis, Aaron Pene, Reimis Smith
Re-signed: Grant Anderson, Joe Chan, Sua Fa'alogo, Alec MacDonald, Nick Meaney
The Storm, fresh off a Grand Final appearance, really didn't have many needs.
They did add a NSW Origin rep forward in Stefano Utoikamanu. You can almost guarantee he'll play his best footy whilst in Melbourne. The Craig Bellamy effect!
Chris Lewis is handy while Reimis Smith can have a good game, but truthfully the Storm haven't lost anything.
Sua Fa'alogo has a future that is oh so bright, if they can hold him in Melbourne. Alex MacDonald is one of my low key favourites in the competition. Nick Meaney has been brilliant in purple.
The Storm were quiet and recruited to their one need, a monster forward. Another brilliant round of business.
Grading: B+
In: Tanah Boyd, Kahu Capper, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Kalani Going, Samuel Healey
Out: Addin Fonua-Blake, Shaun Johnson, Marcelo Montoya, Jazz Tevaga, Setu Tu
Re-signed: Mitchell Barnett, Rocco Berry, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jacob Laban, Ali Leiataua, Freddy Lussick, Zyon Maiu'u, Luke Metcalf, Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
James Fisher-Harris is one of the only men who could replace Addin Fonua-Blake. The Warriors turned a potentially horror situation into a positive one.
Erin Clark is a brilliant pickup. Sam Healey is a freakish talent and as a Sharks fan I am filthy he was allowed to walk away.
AFB is a huge loss and there's no papering over that. Shaun Johnson had seen better days but is still magic on his day. Montoya and Tevaga can be replaced from within.
The Warriors went on a re-signing spree and have nailed down a host of talent.
Mitch Barnett is now a rep star, Wayde Egan is set to become a top quality number nine, Ali Leiataua is a brilliant prospect and Luke Metcalf is going to be special.
The Warriors had a horror campaign. I'm not sure they're that much better heading into 2025 but I'll lean ever so slightly positive.
Grading: C+