Top 13 NRL recruits of 2024: Manly Sea Eagles boast best, bargain buy after nine rounds

After nine rounds, the big names and cost-price recruits are starting to show their true value across the NRL. Here are the 13 best buys of 2024.

They’re the best buy and bargain buy of the year, brought together at Manly through an unexpected twists of fate.

In 2013 Luke Brooks and Nathan Brown ran onto the Sydney Cricket Ground in Wests Tigers colours to make their NRL debuts together in a 34-18 win over St George Illawarra.

They’d spent years playing club juniors together, progressing through the under-20s system as teammates thinking they’d spend the rest of their careers playing for the Tigers.

Almost 11 years and several life changing events later, they’re both reaping the benefits of a sea change at Manly as two of the best recruitment calls of 2024.

“I’ve known Browny for a long time and I know what he can bring to a side, and it’s really good to see him playing some good footy,” Brooks says of his close mate, who has turned into something of a cult figure for a cut-price cost on the beaches.

Brown joined the club on a train and trial in the pre-season but worked his way into a full-time contract after being let go from the Roosters at the end of last season.

In a remarkable success story, he just needed to find a club that fit him.

Luke Brooks has been rated the best recruit through nine rounds.

“He bounced around the last couple of years at a few clubs but I feel like he’s found a home here at Manly and he’s really been able to play his style of footy,” Brooks says.

“He suits our style of play perfectly.

“He’s that ball-playing middle but has some aggression, he comes out wants to put shots on, his kick off runs have been outstanding and the crowd really gets behind him.”

Family, including seven-week old son Luca, has been a huge inspiration for the Italian international’s improvement.

“He gave me a new life, every footy player wants to play for their friends and family and teammates, but that just helped me bring some joy back into rugby league and just to have some fun,” Brown says.

BELOW: SEE THE 13 BEST NRL RECRUITS OF 2024 AND HAVE YOUR SAY

“It’s a purpose, all of it is not just for me, it’s for someone else. It’s been perfect timing.”

From day one at the Tigers Brooks was considered a halfback of the future, an expectation that followed him around like a weight as the club struggled for success.

At Manly he is playing like a free man next to Australia and Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, helping the club to fourth spot on the ladder after nine rounds.

“It’s been the right move for him, he’s an important part of the team, his connection with the spine it just getting better,” Brown says of Brooks.

“We started day one at Manly together this pre-season. Sometimes you need a fresh start, new teammates, a new coach to help you get better.”

BEST NRL BUYS OF 2024

1. Luke Brooks (Manly)

Best stat: 6 try assists

He was encouraged for years by outsiders to leave the Tigers, and now that he has, he’s playing like a free man again. With Daly Cherry-Evans firmly in charge, Brooks has revived his running game and at 29 he has a second chance to enjoy his NRL career.

2. Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)

Best stat: 6 linebreak assists

As Bulldogs captain, the three-time premiership-winning centre has brought class and confidence to a side that desperately needed to learn how to win. Although his form on the field is wonderful, it’s his attributes off the field and that are having the biggest impact. His six linebreak assists and two try assists so far this season shows he makes his teammates better players, too.

Stephen Crichton is ranked second on the best buys so far this season. Art: Boo Bailey

3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)

Best stat: 175 metres per game

The 2018 Dally M Medallist once set records for running metres per game and remarkably he’s still contributing to the same standards. There was question marks over how he would return to rugby league in a new position after spending time in rugby union, but he’s been one of the standout players of the competition in a side that has been hot and cold to start the year.

4. Josh Curran (Bulldogs)

Best stat: 34 tackles per game (58 mins game avg)

The ex-Warriors forward was an underrated signing this year, but his aggression and tenacity has added some mongrel to the Bulldogs pack that so far has punched above its weight. The 24-year-old is exactly the kind of player the Bulldogs needed, agile, hardworking and tough.

5. Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles)

Best stat: 84 running metres per game

In six games this season the former Tigers, Eels and Roosters forward has completely turned around his whole NRL career, which was hanging on by a thread when he arrived at Manly in the pre-season on a train and trial deal. The turn around is a credit to his hard work, but also a huge asset to Manly’s pack.

Nathan Brown charges the ball up for Manly. Picture: NRL Imagery

6. Jake Averillo (Dolphins)

Best stat: 3 tries in 6 games

He missed selection in round one but the former Bulldogs centre has nailed down his spot in Wayne Bennett’s 17 since, with three tries in six games and a lethal combination with in-form towering winger Jack Bostock. Between then they’ve helped the Dolphins to a good start to the year.

7. Shawn Blore (Storm)

Best stat: 10 offloads

Let go by the Tigers in a swap deal for Justin Olam, Blore is rediscovering his potential under Craig Bellamy’s guidance after several years of ups and downs. He battled injury through the pre-season and has only started playing 80 minutes in the second-row but has already showed massive improvement in a short amount of time.

Dominic Young has been hampered by suspension. Picture: NRL Imagery

8. Dominic Young (Roosters)

Best stat: 25 tacklebreaks in 5 games

If not for a two-week suspension, the towering Roosters winger would be much higher on the list. Coming across from Newcastle, Young picked up where he left off with the Bondi boys this season, tearing it up on the right edge with 140 metres a game along with three tries in five games.

9. Justin Olam (Wests Tigers)

Best stat: 120 metres per game

Tigers’ signing of the ex-Melbourne centre was a smart move and he’s made a commendable impact already, chipping in three tries and lots of involvement with the ball. His experience on the field is the biggest contributor to the club and that will continue to grow as the season goes on.

Newcastle's Kai Pearce-Paul. Picture: NRL Imagery

10. Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights)

Best stat: 2 try assists

The towering Englishman has been a handful in the Knights pack which has been dealt some huge injury blows to start the season. His big presence and slick ball skills have kept the Knights in games they should have lost.

11. Zac Hosking (Canberra)

Best stat: 2 try assists

It was a ripping start to the year for the former Penrith and Brisbane second-rower, who scored two tries in five games and set up a couple as well to land among the top buys of the season. A shoulder injury in round six came as a huge blow for the Raiders (and SuperCoach fans) which is a credit to his impact in a short amount of time.

12. Jack Wighton (Souths)

Best stat: 19 tackle busts

Purely for his uniting personality and utility value, the former NSW and Australia star has been a huge addition to Souths in what is turning into a season from hell. He’s been named in the centres on Thursday night but could shift into the halves where he is just as comfortable in the coming weeks.

13. Luciano Leilua (Dragons)

Best stat: 9 tackle-busts in 4 games

He’s only played four games for the Dragons since returning to the club but the 27-year-old adds another dynamic and point of difference to the pack which is still finding their feet under new coach Shane Flanagan. A calf injury has kept him sidelined but he is a chance to return against Cronulla in round 9.

Others: Jayden Sullivan, Kyle Flanagan, Tom Eisenhuth, Morgan Smithies, Morgan Harper, Tom Flegler, Herbie Farnworth, Blake Taaffe, Drew Hutchison, Kurt Mann, Fletcher Baker, Keenan Palasia, Brad Schneider, Will Pryce, Kurt Capewell, Paul Alamoti