They say change is as good as a holiday and with only a bit over a month until the 2013 NRL season kicks off, I take a close look at six potential signings that could help carry your club to glory in September.
1. James Segeyaro
Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said the club had done “all they could” to extend James Segeyaro’s stint in North Queensland. However, Segeyaro had a “burning desire” to live in Sydney, which was the catalyst for him to instead sign a three-year deal with the Penrith Panthers.
Second-last finish in 2012, salary cap pressure, and no guarantee of a starting spot. Those were the circumstances Panthers recruit Segeyaro knows full well as the club continues to completely restructure how it operates.
The livewire No.9 said he believed both he and the western Sydney club had a “bright future.”
An energetic young player with a great deal of potential, Segeyaro, who has had his off-field issues, will need to focus on the job at hand if he is going to make the most of this opportunity. Coach Ivan Cleary and CEO Phil Gould have stamped their authority on a club that seemingly lacked the discipline needed to take their football to the next level.
Dangerous from dummy-half and strong in defence, Segeyaro will add another dimension to the Panthers attack in 2013.
2. James Maloney
The Sydney Roosters beat off six other clubs to sign red-hot Warriors playmaker James Maloney on a three-year-deal.
Maloney replaces Braith Anasta at five eighth for the tricolours with Anasta joining the Wests Tigers and one can’t help but feel the club’s decision to recruit Maloney is a masterstroke.
An established playmaker in the prime of his career at 26 years of age, it has been a case of being out of sight and out of mind at the Warriors as the reason why he hasn’t yet had a taste of State of Origin.
Instrumental in the Warriors’ 2011 charge to the grand final, in which proved to be a breakthrough year for Maloney, I have him taking his game to the next level at the Roosters, forming a strong, long-term partnership in the halves with Mitchell Pearce.
3 and 4. Jeff Lima (Wigan) Ben Te’o (Broncos)
With just 26 players used in 2012, South Sydney enjoyed a pretty decent run when it came to injuries, although it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Rabbitohs in 2013.
Suffering up front for a large chunk of the season, both Roy Asotasi (missed 15 games) and Scott Geddes (played only 12 games – now retired) left the Rabbitohs short of troops. Add a lack of finals experience and the Rabbitohs season came to a disappointing end.
Welcome Jeff Lima and Ben Te’o.
The club has taken some big strides forward in recent years and these two signings will only enhance that.
Lima will return to the NRL following a successful stint with English Super League giants Wigan where he won the 2011 Challenge Cup under the guidance of now Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire. Te’o, previously from West Tigers and Brisbane will replace departing second-rower David Taylor.
Although Taylor left his mark, Te’o is the disciplined type of player coach Maguire is looking for.
Lima in particular has been a very consistent performer right throughout his career and will bring a wealth of experience to the club next season, while Te’o will add a running game on the fringes of the Rabbitohs pack already boasting some talented juniors.
5. Braith Anasta
Clubs buy players for various players. The decision from the Roosters to not re-sign Anasta and the Tigers decision to recruit him is a shrewd one from both parties.
Having tried nine different halves pairings and four different fullbacks on the way to missing the finals last season, the signing of Anasta will alleviate some of the pressure that is continually thrust upon Marshall and Farah whenever the Tigers aren’t performing.
Having authority, a good kicking game and as an added ball player, Anasta will bring experience to the spine.
Anasta is held in very high regard for his leadership at the Roosters – both on and off the field. After the horror 2009 season in which the Rooters were constantly in the headlines for the wrong reasons, he took it upon himself to restore the reputation of the club by setting standards for player behaviour.
His leadership, professionalism and knowledge of the game will be invaluable to the West Tigers in 2013.
6. Scott Prince
The Broncos confirmed the signing of former Gold Coast skipper Scott Prince on a two-year contract late last year, ensuring the 32-year-old halfback will end his NRL career in Queensland.
Surprised? Not at all. A good buy from a club who lacked leadership and direction throughout the 2012 season.
Peter Wallace, the current no. 7 and Corey Norman, who played most of the 2012 season at five-eighth struggled to lead an inconsistent Broncos outfit at times.
Arriving at Red Hill earlier this month knowing he’d have to earn a place in coach Anthony Griffin’s squad next season, Prince is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
“Who would have thought? I’m very happy to be given this opportunity by the Broncos. I’m looking forward to getting back on the horse and proving myself again,” Prince said.
Despite Prince’s eagerness to impress, coach Anthony Griffin wasted no time in reminding him that he would have to work hard to secure a starting spot in the Broncos halves this season.
“(To get a start) Scott will have to be better than the guys we’ve got here.”
“My job is to make our club a bit stronger, and I think, by bringing Scott Prince here, that will help,” he said.
Whilst Griffin has guaranteed nothing for the former international, I expect to see Prince running out for the Broncos come round one.
dishes
Guest
Luke Lewis is a better signing than Scott Prince and Braith Anasta
Haz
Guest
The biggest signing missing from this list is: Andrew Johns. I think Manly's deal to lock up Andrew Johns exclusively as halves coach is going to lift DCE and Foran's game from good (2012) to brilliant (2011), and lift Manly from a top 8 team to being genuine premiership contenders.
mt.wellington
Guest
As a Warriors fan Im disappointed we couldnt sign Maloney as his attacking prowess was one of the key ingredients during our 2011 campaign. Sadly though, his defence is an absolute shambles and that aspect of his game wont be missed. He led the NRL for missed tackles last season missing an average of 5.1 a game. 5.1! Hope the Roosters have appointed 2 babysitters for him. He's going to need it... As for this 'out of sight out of mind' comment I've now seen in 3-4 different articles, as far as NSW goes, yes its true. The same cannot be said for Queensland. They never have a problem selecting Warriors players for Origin. They also never have a problem winning!
neily_b
Roar Rookie
I agree with a lot of these as great signings. I think Lima and Te'o will be great to fill the void left by David Taylor and Eddy Pettybourne. Maloney will give a bit of structure to the Roosters but may be a liability in defence as previously mentioned. I never really rated Anasta when he was at the Roosters but he could be handy to fill a gap in the 2nd row now that Ellis and Heighington have left but it won't really help cure their overuse of flair. I really rate Scott Prince. He is unlucky that he is playing at a time when Thurston and Cronk are ahead of him for rep duties. The Broncos are in dire need of some stability and direction and his experience might be what they need. Segeyaro I see as a great signing from the Cowboys perspective as they've freed up money for someone who won't always be suspended for discipline reasons and they're new hooker, Scott Moore, from England could be one of this year's guns. A signing that many are overlooking which I think could be great is Darcy Lussick going from Manly to Parramatta. He struggled for game time with a strong Manly second row but could be just what the Eels are looking for to step into the massive shoes of Nathan Hindmarsh.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Segayaro offers explosiveness off the bench but I wouldn't have him as a starting 9. The Panthers recruitment in general seems to be just to grab whoever they can. I reckon Te'o got rotated too much because of how many good backrowers the Broncos had. He'll take his game to the next level if he gets more game time in the back row. He's very good now with potential to get better. Shame to see Lima and his 'rolling pins' back in the NRL. Smith and Scott combo should be good for the Knights reuniting with Costigan. I would rate the signing of Lewis as one of the most significant. Sharks forward pack will be awesome this year. Centres are pedestrian. I wonder what will happen to Gardner now Gordon has been promised No 1 jumper...? Speaking of awesome packs...what about the signing of T-Rex...?
oikee
Guest
Planko, the Broncos have been bringing through young players now for 3 years. Gillet, YeeYow, Copley, Macguire, Hala, Whitechurch, Hofman, Norman, Reed, Dodd's and a few more. We cant keep them all, but the future of these kids are bright. We also let a few good one's go, Teo, Taylor, Stag (who is back now), Beale (big loss), Not to mention the guys who slipped the net, Williams, (NFL) Kasiano, Barba, and then you have the Raiders catching the Papalii's and Lee's, and a few more went to the Storm when they were feeder club. Brisbane has more than one team to support, we feed alot of players through, and as i said, cant keep them all, but you have to bring them through, so i expect a few lean years while the younguns find their feet, but gee whiz they are some good kids in that lot at the Broncos now. Young Copley could be the best kid ever. He is super impressive.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Finch is hopeless. He was cut by both the roosters and eels. He played well at the roosters when he had Fitler in the team. He went ok at the storm becuase of Cronk and Smith being the main play makers. If your looking to him to mentor young players your looking in the wrong place.
Matt
Guest
Bloody Souths. Took Taylor, now T'eo. The broncos have a wealth of 2nd rowers, though. Even in the NRL xbox game! Had to flog off a few to get the cap down so I could boost other positions.
Matt
Guest
They are average across the park. Other than Hodges, I can't think of any "stars". They're just a good, solid unit. They don't have a bunch of no-names to compensate for big-earners like most other teams. They also lost Cino, not sure how much he was getting.
rl
Guest
He could easily prove to be the season' best acquisition. Great recruiting by Souths - Lima's explosiveness and T'eo's workrate will quickly make Dave Taylor a distant memory.
rl
Guest
I reckon Finch was brought in for exactly that purpose - aging but proven performer who knows the system and most of the players, and can provide cover during SOO time. Anything more from him is a bonus.
peeeko
Roar Guru
i think anasta will play in the backrow, i think lewis could be the player that takes the sharks to the next level and is twice the player braith is
planko
Guest
If you believe some of Roarers on here they have spent their cap. I agree with you they could be a darkie for Thurston ?
Morfs
Guest
Finch was signed not just for his playing ability, but also as a mentor for Widdop and Storm's other young halves. There has been a bit of talk from the club, and Finch himself, that he may end up in an off-field role in the near future. Therefore, it doesn't matter if he doesn't get much game time, as he is still a canny signing for the impact he will have on the future halves of the club.
Jake
Guest
Brett Finch will be lucky to get off the bench for the Storm. Only injuries and SOO will allow him some game time thus he won't have as much impact as these other players.
Matt
Guest
I wonder who they're holding out for. It seems other clubs have already spent $5m or so expecting the cap will go up. Bronoc's only "big signing" was Prince this year, and shed another couple.
Johnno
Guest
Jeremy Smith is a good player , one of my favourites, a real leader inspires his teamates , every team he improves, and is a hard man too.
Matt
Guest
That's what the Tigers need - another playmaker! They don't have enough loose passing as it is. Perhaps he's been brought in to try and tighten the team up, get a bit of grit and % plays into the team instead of constantly trying to overdo it.
Matt
Guest
Cut about losing T'eo, he's good.
Adam
Roar Guru
I'd have Jeremy Smith in there... has brought success to every club he's been with and Knights were short a couple of strong back rowers last season.