NRL free agency ratings: Experts rate each club’s 2024 recruitment drive
From the dismantling of both of last year grand final teams to the recruitment blitz at the bottom-feeders, our NRL experts rate the free agency moves of every team in the league.
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A combined 11 players from the teams which contested last year’s enthralling grand final contest have joined new clubs for 2024.
But have cellar-dwellers St George-Illawarra and the Wests Tigers recruited enough to close the gap? Our panel of NRL experts have taken a deep look at each team’s free agency moves ahead of the 2024 season.
BRONCOS
Ins: Fletcher Baker (Roosters), Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons).
Outs: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Tom Flegler (Dolphins), Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
The Broncos have been one of the least active clubs in the NRL recruitment market, opting to put a focus on retention.
They have lost four grand final players – Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to the Dolphins, Keenan Palasia to the Titans, and veteran Kurt Capewell to the Warriors – who all had exceptional 2023 seasons.
The Broncos have only replaced them with unproven NRL performers in Fletcher Baker (Roosters) and Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons).
Instead, they have emphasised retaining top talent like Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Deine Mariner.
Rating: B-
- Travis Meyn
RABBITOHS
Ins: Jack Wighton (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Manly)
Outs: Hame Sele (Dragons), Blake Taaffe (Bulldogs), Jed Cartwright (Knights)
Huge signing in Jack Wighton. The Origin representative provides more x-factor to a South Sydney side already filled with talent. The late addition of Sean Keppie gives the Rabbitohs another big body on the bench.
Rating: A
- Michael Carayannis
DRAGONS
Ins: Hame Sele (Rabbitohs), Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs), Corey Allan (Roosters), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm), Jesse Marschke (NSW Cup)
Outs: Jayden Sullivan (Wests Tigers), Zane Musgrove (Warrington Wolves) Jaiyden Hunt (Broncos), Billy Burns, Tyrell Fuimaono (unsigned), Tautau Moga (retirement), Talatau Amone (deregistered)
Local junior Hame Sele returns to the club as a seasoned first grader and will provide some much needed punch to the forward pack. Kyle Flanagan was originally bought to transition into hooker but will now be starting in the halves. Corey Allan has already suffered a season-ending injury, while the Ronald Volkman would-be signing was a disaster. Raymond Faitala-Mariner adds experience but has battled injury and form in recent seasons.
Rating: D+
- Michael Carayannis
TITANS
Ins: Keenan Palasia (Broncos), Harley Smith Shields (Raiders)
Outs: Kruise Leeming (Wigan Warriors), Joe Vuna (released)
New coach Des Hasler walks into a club with a ready-made roster and little room to move.
The Titans have already filled their top-30 squad and have six players on their development list, giving Hasler little flexibility to make changes for the 2024 season unless he can release contracted players.
They have got 13 players signed on long-term deals until at least 2026, including Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Beau Fermor and Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
The Titans have a stable future when it comes to their squad but they are missing one big piece of the puzzle – depth in the halves.
Rating: B
- Travis Meyn
STORM
Ins: Shawn Blore (Tigers)
Outs: Tariq Sims (Catalans), Jayden Nikorima (Catalans), George Jennings (released), Jordan Grant (released), Tom Eisenhuth (Dragons), Justin Olam (Tigers)
Picked up Shawn Blore from the Tigers with Justin Olam going the other way for 2024.
Aside from that, Storm have been quiet in the player market but they have money to spend.
Rating: C+
- Brent Read
BULLDOGS
Ins: Bronson Xerri (return from ASADA ban), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Kurt Mann (Knights) Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Jake Turpin (Roosters), Josh Curran (Warriors), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins)
Outs: Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Tevita Pangai Jr Junior (retired), Kyle Flanagan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Dragons), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Ethan Quai-Ward (Broncos), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Declan Casey (Wests Tigers), Braidon Burns (Rabbitohs NSW Cup)
Undeniably the most active club in the NRL when it comes to off-season recruits with ten new recruits. In a tough market without a stack of quality, the Dogs have worked hard to add superior depth than what they had in 2023. Stephen Crichton is the most-prized signing of all, with Warriors forward Josh Curran a shrewd addition to a pack that remains a work in progress. They appear to still be short of a front-row enforcer. The likes of Mann, Taaffe, Salmon, Hutchison, Tracey and Turpin are an uplift to the Dogs squad, bringing NRL experience from strong clubs and who provide versatility and options. The concern though is, what role do they all play?
Rating: B
- David Riccio
WARRIORS
Ins: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby union), Chanel Harris-Tavita (retirement), Kurt Capewell (Broncos)
Outs: Josh Curran (Bulldogs) Viliame Vailea (Cowboys), Bayley Sironen (Catalans Dragons), Brayden Wiliame (retired), Ronald Volkman (unsigned)
Just 80 minutes away from a grand final in 2023, an even more dangerous squad will be the Warriors in 2024. The return from time away from the NRL of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita adds a huge layer of class, strike, experience and depth to the Warriors squad. Competition for spots will also be on in the backline and in the halves. The loss of Josh Curran to the Bulldogs is a blow, but the Warriors do have a long list of promising young forwards to fill his void and picked up veteran Kurt Capewell late from the Broncos.
Rating: B
- David Riccio
SEA EAGLES
Ins: Luke Brooks, Aitasi James, Tommy Talau (Wests Tigers), Jaxson Paulo, Nathan Brown (Roosters), Corey Waddell (Bulldogs)
Outs: Samuela Fainu (Wests Tigers), Kelma Tuilagi, Morgan Harper (Eels), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Rabbitohs), Morgan Boyle (unsigned)
Manly have most of their big names locked in until at least the end of 2025, which means they have a relatively stable squad and not a lot of room to move when it comes to free agency. They may add some fringe players before the start of the season but no big names. Luke Brooks could be a game-changer that defines their premiership assault.
Rating: B
- Brent Read
RAIDERS
Ins: Simi Sasagi (Knights), Kaeo Weekes (Sea Eagles), Morgan Smithies (Wigan), Zac Hosking (Panthers)
Outs: Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Matt Frawley (Leeds Rhinos), Jarrod Croker (retired), Harley Smith-Shields (Titans)
Made a calculated gamble not going hard to recruit an experienced but potentially overpriced replacement for Jack Wighton but instead invest in youth.
That will allow former Sea Eagle rookie Kaeo Weekes (12 NRL games so far) to step up with young gun Ethan Strange (1 NRL appearance) his main competition for the No 6 jersey. Englishman Morgan Smithies (boasting 100-plus games for Wigan) arrives with a solid resume but will have a tough job pushing his way into what is a very strong pack.
Rating: C-
- Paul Crawley
TIGERS
Ins: Aidan Sezer (Leeds Rhinos), Latu Fainu, Samuela Fainu (Sea Eagles), Jayden Sullivan (Dragons), Justin Olam (Storm)
Outs: Luke Brooks, Aitasi James, Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Shawn Blore (Storm), Rua Ngatikaura, Tuki Simpkins, Brandon Wakeham (unsigned), David Nofoaluma (unsigned)
The jury is still out on Marshall’s halves recruitment drive. Aidan Sezer has been out of the NRL for four seasons, and will need to lean on every bit of his 205-game experience if he’s to be successful in the no. 7 jumper. Jayden Sullivan only has 27-games under his belt and despite being viewed as the future at the Dragons struggled to hold down a starting spot in the halves. Sullivan will start at five-eighth with high expectations from Tigers fans given he was handed a 22-year deal and earmarked as a future mainstay in the halves. Latu Fainu is an unknown entity but a highly-regarded prospect. He’s a crafty playmaker and should benefit under the guidance of Marshall’s hefty experience as a career half.
Latu came as a package deal with older brother Samuela, who had caught the eye of rivals like Parramatta. But just like Latu, Samuela is viewed as a work in progress but should feature in the NRL side in season 2024.
The late Justin Olam and Shawn Blore switch is considered a win for both parties, giving the Tigers backline some much-needed know-how and strike.
Rating: B-
- Fatima Kdouh
EELS
Ins: Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles), Morgan Harper (Sea Eagles)
Outs: Jack Murchie (released), Josh Hodgson (retired), Andrew Davey (retired), Waqa Blake (released)
Relatively quiet in the player market but picked up some shrewd buys in experienced centre Morgan Harper and talented backrower Kelma Tuilagi. Also picked up highly-rated Panthers junior Ryley Smith, who will add huge interest to the hooking debate on the back of Josh Hodgson’s retirement.
Still on the hunt for an x-factor type weapon that could potentially see Clint Gutherson move to the centres long term.
Even if that doesn’t eventuate this is a squad with enough strike and experience across the park to challenge for the premiership, with some boom youngsters also on the horizon led by the likes of Ethan Sanders, Charlie Guymer and Blaize Talagi.
Rating: C-
- Paul Crawley
PANTHERS
Ins: Daine Laurie (Tigers), Brad Schneider (Hull KR), Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs), Riley Price (Cowboys)
Outs: Stephen Crichton, Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs), Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jack Cogger, Tom Jenkins (Knights), Zac Hosking (Raiders)
Penrith’s rich pathways has meant the club has not had to make a splash in the player market with a high profile signing. But coach Ivan Cleary’s recruitment strategy of signing quality depth players has paid off in the past and again the coach has shored up halves stocks with the signings of Daine Laurie and Brad Schneider. Laurie struggled to keep a spot at the Tigers but is expected to play a key role, beginning in the World Club Challenge as Nathan Cleary’s halves partner as Jarome Luai recovers from a shoulder injury. Teen prodigy Paul Alamoti is expected to take his game to the next level in a system like Penrith but the centre will have plenty of competition for a place in the centres against Taylan May.
Rating: B
- Fatima Kdouh
KNIGHTS
Ins: Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors), Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs), Tom Jenkins (Panthers)
Outs: Dominic Young (Roosters), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington Wolves), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Fa’amanu Brown (Hull FC), Oryn Keeley (Dolphins), Lachlan Miller (Leeds Rhinos), Kurt Mann (Bulldogs), Jack Johns, Hymel Hunt (unsigned)
After their best season in a decade, the Knights’ biggest loss is try-scoring winger Dom Young, but they’ve recruited smartly in other areas to keep the good times coming. The addition of Jack Cogger his season with Penrith just strengthens the spine, and English stars Kai Pearce Paul and Will Pryce will offer quality depth in the backline and forwards too. Rating: B+
- Pamela Whaley
SHARKS
Ins: Michael Gabrael (Bulldogs), Billy Burns (Dragons)
Outs: Wade Graham (retired), Matt Moylan (Leigh), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs)
There has been very little movement in the Sharks’ roster. Connor Tracey has departed for Canterbury in a swap deal with young centre Michael Gabrael, while veteran Wade Graham has retired.
Like a host of clubs, the Sharks have money to spend but it’s a barren transfer market. They desperately need to find a permanent halves partner for Nicho Hynes to get improvement out of a young and talented squad that needs a better season than their last.
Rating: F
- Pamela Whaley
ROOSTERS
Ins: Dominic Young (Knights), Spencer Leniu (Panthers)
Outs: Drew Hutchison, Jake Turpin (Bulldogs), Jaxson Paulo, Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles), Fletcher Baker (Broncos), Corey Allan (Dragons), Paul Momirovski (Leeds Rhinos)
Brought in two players and both are significant signings. Dom Young developed into a superstar at Newcastle in 2023, while rampaging front-rower Spencer Leniu became the aggressive x-factor of a pack which propelled Penrith to three successive premierships.
Rating: A
- Dean Ritchie
DOLPHINS
Ins: Herbie Farnworth, Thomas Flegler (Broncos), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs), Oryn Keeley (Knights).
Outs: Brenko Lee, JJ Collins (unsigned), Herman Ese’ese (Hull FC), Poasa Faamausili (Bulldogs)
This is as good as it gets when it comes to recruitment drives. The Dolphins have purchased brilliantly, luring Origin and Test stars Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth, the former one of the code’s best young props, the latter a strike weapon in the centres.
Even better, they poached them from the Broncos, eroding the roster of their fierce rivals. Throw in the addition of versatile and speedy Bulldogs utility back Jake Averillo, and the Dolphins have spent their salary-cap pennies wisely.
Rating: A
- Peter Badel
COWBOYS
Ins: Viliami Vailea (Warriors), Thomas Mikaele (Warrington)
Outs: James Tamou (retired), Peta Hiku (Hull KR), Mitch Dunn (released), Ben Hampton (released), Brendan Elliot (released), Riley Price (Panthers), Gehamat Shibasaki (released)
After some shrewd purchasing in recent years, the Cowboys have largely kept their salary-cap powder dry purchasing Viliami Vailea from the Warriors to help fill the right-centre void created by Peta Hiku’s move to England. The Cowboys have also lost 2015 premiership prop James Tamou to retirement, rising forward Riley Price – the son of Bulldogs legend Steve – has joined Penrith, while Mitch Dunn, Ben Hampton, Brendan Elliot and Gehamat Shibasaki have been released. As a result, the Cowboys’ depth chart looks a little skinny.
Rating: D
- Peter Badel
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