NRL market place rankings: How your team recruited for 2022

The August 1 trade deadline has been and gone, Michael Carayannis, Brent Read and David Riccio, rate how your club recruited for the 2022 season.

Coen Hess and Chad Townsend have had been strong the Cowboys. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

From the high-flying Cowboys to the struggling Titans. Michael Carayannis, Brent Read and David Riccio take a look at your clubs 2022 recruits.

Despite sitting around the top eight, the Sea Eagles have been whacked with the poorest grading of any team after signing just one player – Ethan Bullemor, who has been in and out of the top grade.

The Dragons led by recruits including Moses Suli, Francis Molo and Jaydn Su’A are one of the better placed teams based on their recruitment this year.

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Moses Suli has been a strong addition to the Dragons’ backline this season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The gamble by North Queensland and Brisbane to fork out huge cash for halves Chad Townsend and Adam Reynolds respectively has paid off nicely.

Premiers Penrith did not need to add much to their squad but have enjoyed great value from their main off-season recruit in half Sean O’Sullivan.

There is little wonder why the likes of Newcastle, Tigers, Gold Coast and the Warriors sit at the bottom of the ladder given their poor additions.

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Rating: E

2022 signings: Ethan Bullemor (Broncos)

Who they lost: Curtis Sironen (St Helens), Moses Suli, Jack Gosiewski (Dragons) Tevita Pangai Jr Funa (Waratahs), Zac Saddler (released).

Not much to write about given the Sea Eagles focused much of their attention towards retaining and upgrading their rising stars. Bullemor started the year in first grade and played the opening three games before losing his spot. Has featured in eight games this year.

PENRITH PANTHERS

Rating: C

2022 signings: Sean O’Sullivan (Warriors), Chris Smith, Christian Crichton (Canterbury).

Who they lost: Matt Burton, Brent Naden, Tevita Pangai Jr Junior (Canterbury), Kurt Capewell (Brisbane), Paul Momirovski (Roosters) Tyrone May (Catalans).

Didn’t have a lot of scope to move in terms of their salary cap and have shown they didn’t need to land any big fish. They made some smart purchases led by O’Sullivan, who has shown he is more than a handy back-up. Will now have the job long-term given Jarome Luai’s knee injury and Nathan Cleary’s suspension. Smith has played just one game and Crichton is yet to play in the top grade.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Rating: A

2022 signings: Peta Hiku, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Warriors), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Brendan Elliot (Leigh), Luciano Leilua (Tigers)

Who they lost: Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill, Javid Bowen, Lachlan Burr (retired), Francis Molo (Dragons), Corey Jensen (Brisbane), Peter Hola (Canberra), Shane Wright (Salford), Michael Bell (released).

Chad Townsend’s signing at big money prompted much derision but he has been one of the recruits of the season, giving a young Cowboys side some direction and experience. Likewise Peta Hiku in the outside backs. The Cowboys also struck gold when they were able to extract Luciano Leilua from his contract six months early.

Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend has been one of the buys of the season. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

CRONULLA SHARKS

Rating: B+

2022 signings: Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes (Storm), Cameron McInnes (Dragons), Matt Ikuvalu (Roosters), Lachlan Miller (rugby union), Jayden Berrell (Wynnum)

Who they lost: Aaron Woods (Dragons), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Billy Magoulias (Warrington), Will Chambers (rugby union, 2022), Josh Dugan (released, retired), Nene Macdonald (released).

Not exhaustive due to a stringent salary cap, but shrewd recruitment from rookie coach Craig Fitzgibbon in key areas has proven dynamic for the finals-bound Sharks. The signing of an untested Hynes as the club’s first-choice halfback was layered with uncertainty, but now sits on the podium for buy of the year. Finucane’s experience in big-games has proven paramount while the cheapie, rugby union convert Lachlan Miller, has also delivered a return with a superb round 11 solo try.

BRISBANE BRONCOS

Rating: A+

2022 signings: Adam Reynolds (South Sydney), Kurt Capewell (Penrith), Brenko Lee (Melbourne), Cory Jensen (Nth Qld), Jordan Pereira (Dragons), Billy Walters (Tigers), Ryan James (Canberra)

Who they lost: John Asiata (Canterbury), Xavier Coates (Melbourne), Brodie Croft (Salford), Danny Levi (Huddersfield), Ethan Bullemor (Manly), Alex Glenn, Ben Te’o (retired), Richie Kennar (released), Jamayne Isaako (Titans)

Adam Reynolds is a contender for signing of the season given the way he has transformed the Broncos from also-rans to premiership contenders. Capewell has been a star as well while Walters has been a regular fixture in the side, helping in a variety of roles. Lee, Jensen and Pereira have also stepped up when required as part of the Broncos’ rejuvenation.

Adam Reynolds has sparked a Broncos’ revival this season. Picture: NRL Images

MELBOURNE STORM

Rating: B

2022 signings: Xavier Coates (Brisbane), Nick Meaney (Canterbury), Josh King (Newcastle), Jayden Nikorima (Redcliffe), William Warbrick (rugby union). David Nofoaluma (Tigers)

Who they lost: Josh Addo-Carr, Max King (Canterbury), Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes (Cronulla), Aaron Pene (Warriors), Brenko Lee (Broncos), Aaron Booth (Gold Coast), Ryley Jacks (Tigers – QRL), Isaac Lumelume, Daniel Atkinson, Judda Turahui, Tyson Smoothy (released).

The Storm’s recruitment is generally among the best in the game and it is hard to argue with the production they have got out of Meaney and King. Both have been consistent performers in first grade. Coates was flying as well before he got injured while Warbrick was always a project and has shown progress in the second tier.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Rating: C+

2022 signings: Isaiah Tass (Broncos), Michael Chee-Kam (Wests Tigers) Siliva Havili (Raiders), Kodi Nikorima (Warriors)

Who they lost: Adam Reynolds (Broncos) Jaydn Su’A, Tautau Moga (Dragons) Dane Gagai (Knights) Josh Cook, Braidon Burns (Bulldogs), Patrick Mago (Wigan), Troy Dargan, Brock Gardner, Steven Marsters, Dean Hawkins (released), Benji Marshall (retirement).

Given the huge amount of star power that they lost, the Rabbitohs deserve credit for remaining in finals contention when you consider the influence of departed big guns Adam Reynolds, Dane Gagai, Jayd’n Sua and Benji Marshall. Their buying this season was focused away from the A-list and on depth-buys with the recent addition of Nikorima and Havili offering the side value and versatility.

Kodi Nikorima has added depth to the Rabbioths’ halves. Picture: NRL Images.

PARRAMATTA EELS

Rating: C

2022 signings: Bailey Simonsson (Raiders), Mitch Rein (Titans).

Who they lost: Joey Lussick (St Helens), Will Smith (Titans), Blake Ferguson (Rugby Union), Michael Oldfield, Sam Hughes, Jordan Rankin (released), Keegan Hipgrave (retired).

Largely due to a stacked roster, the Eels were far from active in the player market ahead of 2022. Bailey Simonsson has produced a strong season as a direct replacement for Blake Fergsuon while veteran hooker Mitch Rein has only been used in the NRL twice. However, Eels fans don’t need reminding the value of a quality back-up dummy-half come finals time.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Rating: B-

2022 signings: Connor Watson (Newcastle), Renouf Atoni (Canterbury), Paul Momirovski (Penrith), Kevin Naiqama (St Helens), Matt Lodge (Warriors), Oliver Gildart (Tigers)

Who they lost: Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Dale Copley (retired), Isaac Liu (Gold Coast), Matt Ikuvalu (Cronulla).

The Roosters lost some big names at the end of last season but Connor Watson and Paul Momirovski have done a reasonable job in their returns to the club. The real coup for the Roosters was signing Matt Lodge before the August 1 deadline. Lodge has already looked a canny pick-up, adding power and aggression to the Roosters.

Matt Lodge’s arrival adds extra power to the Roosters’ pack.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Rating: C+

2022 signings: Jamal Fogarty (Titans), Peter Hola (Cowboys) Adam Elliott, Nick Cotric (Bulldogs)

Who they lost: George Williams (Warrington), Ryan James (Broncos), Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs) Caleb Aekins (Leigh), Bailey Simonsson (Eels), Sia Soliola (retired), Curtis Scott, Dunamis Lui, Darby Medlyn (released).

The Green Machine are finally getting what they paid for in playmaker Jamal Fogarty after both player and club were left shattered by an 11-week knee injury to start the year. Fogarty will be instrumental to any success the Raiders want to have in the home run. Adam Elliott was viewed as a polarising signing, but has proven valuable at-times this season. The Raiders would love if Cotric could find the form that saw him selected for NSW in 2019.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Rating: B+

2022 signings: Jaydn Su’A, Tautau Moga (South Sydney), Francis Molo (North Qld) George Burgess (Wigan), Moses Mbye (Wests Tigers), Moses Suli, Jack Gosiewski (Manly), Aaron Woods (Cronulla)

Who they lost: Tyran Wishart (Melbourne) Cameron McInnes (Cronulla), Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan (Canterbury), Adam Clune (Newcastle), Jordan Pereira (Brisbane) Corey Norman (Toulouse), Gerard Beale, Billy Brittain (released)

Their big-name recruits have all added significant value. Only injuries have robbed Su’A and Suli from really hitting their strides this year but they have shown they will be good long-term players at the club. Molo has been solid. Burgess has been a disastrous signing while their bargain recruits in Woods and Gosiewski have proven to be nothing more than depth players.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Rating: B

2022 signings: Josh Addo-Carr, Max King (Melbourne), Matt Burton, Brent Naden (Penrith), Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan (Dragons), Tevita Pangai Jr Junior (Broncos), Braidon Burns (Rabbitohs)

Who they lost: Nick Meaney (Melbourne), Will Hopoate (St Helens), Renouf Atoni (Roosters), Adam Elliott, Nick Cotric (Canberra), Christian Crichton, Chris Smith (Penrith), Dylan Napa (Catalans), Ofahiki Ogden (Eels), James Roumanos (Sea Eagles), Sione Katoa, Lachlan Lewis, Dean Britt, Brad Deitz, Falakiko Manu (released)

Mixed results. Struck gold with Burton while King is also proving to be exceptional value for money. Addo-Carr has come into his own after a slow start and Tevita Pangai Jr Jnr has shown he can be the enforcer they want him to be. But there were also some poor signings. Naden lasted just eight games and Dufty 12. Paul Vaughan will also leave after just one season.

Matt Dufty was given an early release after falling out of favour at the Bulldogs. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Rating: D

2022 signings: Dane Gagai (South Sydney), Adam Clune (Dragons)

Who they lost: Blake Green (retired). Connor Watson (Roosters), Josh King (Melbourne), Starford To’a (Wests Tigers) Gehamat Shibasaki (rugby), Mitchell Pearce (Catalans).

Failed to replace Pearce and that has hurt them. Clune has given the Knights exceptionally value for money given he was signed as a depth player. Gagai started the season on fire but struggled after fracturing his cheekbone.

NZ WARRIORS

Rating: D

2022 signings: Shaun Johnson (Cronulla), Aaron Pene (Melbourne) Jesse Arthars (on loan from Brisbane), Ash Taylor (Gold Coast).

Who they lost: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Rugby), Paul Turner (Gold Coast), Sean O’Sullivan (Penrith), Peta Haiku, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Cowboys), Kane Evans (Hull FC) Tom Ale, Jackson Frei (released), Leeson Ah Mau (retired).

Taylor’s return lasted just one game before he was forced into retirement. Johnson has failed to find any consistency and is a shadow of the player he was during his first stint at the Warriors while Pene and Arthars have done reasonable jobs.

Ash Taylor played one game for the Warriors before retiring from the NRL. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

GOLD COAST TITANS

Rating: D

2022 signings: Isaac Liu (Roosters), Paul Turner (Warriors), Aaron Booth (Melbourne), Will Smith (Parramatta).

Who they lost: Tyrone Peachey (Tigers), Jamal Fogarty (Canberra), Ash Taylor (Warriors), Mitch Rein (Parramatta), Anthony Don (retired), Jai Whitbread, Sam Stone (Leigh), Jonus Pearson (CQ Capras).

Isaac Liu has played the vast majority of the season for the Titans but their other recruits have barely struck a blow and the club has suffered badly from the decision to allow Jamal Fogarty to leave at the end of last year. As a result, their recruitment has come under the microscope. It has been nothing short of a disaster.

WESTS TIGERS

Rating: D+

2022 signings: Jackson Hastings, Oliver Gildart (Wigan), Tyrone Peachey (Titans), Starford To’a (Knights)

Who they lost: Moses Mbye (Dragons), Billy Walters (Broncos), Michael Chee-Kam (Rabbitohs), Joey Leilua (Featherstone), Reece Hoffman (Bulldogs), Tom Amone, Zach Cini, Russell Packer (retired).

Would have got an E, if not for the involvement of Jackson Hastings and round three signing Starford To’a. Gildart and Peachey have proven terrible buys, with both being shopped to rivals clubs overseas. Poor recruitment was factored into dismissal of Michael Maguire, leading Tigers management to place their faith in the pulling power of Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall.

Originally published as NRL market place rankings: How your team recruited for 2022