Although the premiership party remains in full swing in Redfern, much of the NRL’s attention has swiftly turned to 2015 and beyond.
Every club has dipped into the transfer market, some far more than others. Teams such as the Sharks, Titans and Tigers have recruited in decent numbers, reflecting their need to overhaul their rosters to achieve success.
I have saved you all valuable time by taking a look at the comings and goings, and have broken it down into what I consider to be the 10 biggest transfers heading into 2015.
To clarify, the below isn’t just down to the best players who are being transferred, but more so the importance of each transfer for the future club’s needs etc.
For the purpose of this, I haven’t considered rumoured transfers that the media have ‘confirmed’ are going to happen. Rather, I’ve made the call based on moves that have been officially been confirmed by the clubs themselves.
Blake Green (Wigan Warriors to Storm)
Blake Green went from fringe NRL first grader to a premiership-winning half in the Super League in a short space of time. Although there is no comparison of quality between the competitions, enjoying success can do wonders for a player’s career.
Green is coming home to play five-eighth at the Storm after Melbourne struggled in their attempts to find Cooper Cronk a partner this season. Ben Hampton has been re-signed and looks like Green’s biggest challenger but the latter should get the nod.
If he fires like he did for Wigan, the Storm will be a much-improved outfit. If he fails, it could mean the number six jersey is passed around for yet another season.
Jack Bird (Dragons to Sharks)
This may be a little out of left field considering Bird is yet to play first grade, but there have been significant wraps on the youngster. Having played representative football during his junior career, Bird has been recruited to join the youth movement at the Sharks.
A young back-rower who will likely slot into centre if he plays first grade early in the season, Bird has all the tools to become a star.
Dragons fans have taken to social media to express their frustrations over the club allowing Bird to move to their local rivals, which is probably the best sign of a player’s ability.
A backline consisting of young Valentine Holmes and Bird, both set to feature for the Junior Kangaroos in the upcoming test against the Junior Kiwis, has an exciting feel about it for those in the Shire.
Michael Lichaa (Sharks to Bulldogs)
The Bulldogs have arguably taken the biggest recruitment punt of all sides in allowing former NSW number nine Michael Ennis to leave in order to sign this unproven, albeit talented, youngster.
Lichaa has long been seen by Sharks fans as a player of great potential and at times in 2014 he looked the goods in a struggling side.
He has been given a fairly lengthy multi-year contract and will be expected to fit straight in come round one next season.
It is a huge gamble, but there is no doubt that Lichaa has plenty of ability. Whether he can rise to the level of Michael Ennis in 2015 is a big question, and one plenty have had their say on. It could be a master stroke, it could be a huge failure, but we probably won’t know for at least another 12 months.
Blake Austin (Tigers to Raiders)
This is a move that only went down in the last 48 hours or so, but the news is extremely important to fans of the Green Machine. The Raiders’ recruitment success has been lukewarm at best, but the signing of Austin is a gem.
His last game was an amazing effort against a depleted Sharks outfit, but the way he filled in for the Tigers at times in 2014 will have Raiders fans buzzing.
Austin is capable of playing in the halves or in the backline and is a very real option at the troublesome fullback role, although he may very well partner halfback Mitch Cornish.
Tigers fans didn’t seem too happy at the news of Austin’s release, for good reason. The club’s loss is Ricky Stuart’s gain and Austin will prove to be more than a handy pick up.
Ben Hannant (Broncos to Cowboys)
Hannant’s switch seems to have gone under the radar. The former Origin and Kangaroo prop struggled to hold down a first grade spot in 2014 for the Broncos, but his move to the Cowboys could reignite his career. His addition to the squad will form a fearsome prop rotation with international props Matthew Scott and James Tamou.
Given it is a one-year deal that has reportedly not broken the bank, this is a low risk, high reward move for the northern Queenslanders. Once rated amongst the elite front rowers of the game, he is far too talented to be jumping in and out of the top grade. This is a big signing, literally.
Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles to Rabbitohs)
On his day, there are few more damaging players out wide than Glenn Stewart. The only question is: what type of Glenn Stewart are the Rabbits getting? The Stewart who is capable of changing a game with brilliant skill, or the injury affected back-rower who spends more time in the headlines for gossip rather than footy?
The Bunnies have lost a genuine superstar in Sam Burgess, but in Stewart they have gone a long way to replacing him. If you thought the premiers’ centres were dangerous now, wait until the man who has formed the best back-row/centre combo in the game with Jamie Lyon comes on board.
Ryan Hoffman (Storm to Warriors)
This was something that caught me a little off guard as I genuinely thought it was a formality that Hoffman would re-sign for the Storm. It’s a huge coup for the Warriors, who really could have used another experienced head this season. Hoffman has done it all and is still firing on all cylinders despite just turning 30.
He will join Simon Mannering to form a fearsome Warriors back row in 2015. His addition to the side suddenly makes his outside men all the more dangerous and when you consider Konrad Hurrell is one of them, the signs look ominous for the New Zealanders. It would take a disaster for this signing to be anything but a huge success.
Michael Ennis (Bulldogs to Sharks)
The addition of former Bulldog Michael Ennis should finally put an end to the Sharks’ ridiculous shared hooking duties in recent years. Having lost John Morris, Isaac De Gois and Lichaa, the Sharks needed to land an experienced number nine to help guide their young backline around and in Ennis they achieved just that.
Cronulla’s problems in 2014 has been well-documented, but in 2015 there is a clean slate and Ennis will be key if they are to achieve any level of success. He will make plenty of tackles, provide invaluable experience and, most importantly, will pass on his knowledge of the role to Shark young gun Brad Dietz, who should be ready to take the reigns at the end of Ennis’ two-year contract.
Tariq Sims (Cowboys to Knights)
The Knights desperately needed a signing in the mould of Tariq Sims after a horror 2014 season. An ageing forward pack was in need of youth and aggression and in the young Origin hopeful they have found both in spades. Sims, whose development was stunted by a horrible run of injuries, may finally realise his potential in the Hunter.
The 24-year-old can play anywhere in the forward pack and will be looked upon to make a big impact early in 2015. A player who is big, fast, and talented with the ball in hand, Sims has the potential to become a great. He provides great entertainment with and without the ball and Newcastle should win big here.
Anthony Milford (Raiders to Broncos)
Milford has shown signs that he may become the next superstar in our game. The Raiders made every effort possible to keep their talented number one, however, the Broncos ultimately won out and should reap the benefits for the next decade. Milford is on the cusp of Maroon selection and would be considered almost a certainty if not for the presence of Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.
Having been earmarked to move into the halves to solve the Broncos’ five-eighth woes, Milford is the most important signing of any thus far for 2015. If he fires, he and Ben Hunt could fire the Broncos deep into the finals.
If he doesn’t live up to expectations, it will prove to be a costly investment, with the Broncos expected to offload Josh Hoffman. Under Bennett, Milford could quickly transform from a hot prospect to a genuine superstar.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The NRL's match officials announcement on Tuesday lunchtime is usually cause for little fanfare, but sparked debate this week with top ref Ashley Klein…
It had all been going so well. Canberra were by far the better side for ten minutes, with Jamal Fogarty giving the Brisbane back…
Like most clubs, the Brisbane Broncos have had their fair share of big boppers over the years, many of them legends of the game.…
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
My American mate wants a Canberra Raiders jersey. If someone had told me a couple of months ago that I’d have friends in the…
Derbies are often rated on intensity rather than quality, and that was very much to the fore at Suncorp for the third Battle of…
