After a long off-season break, its finally time to get back into the swing of things. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 for your club’s transfer performance rating.
Newcastle Knights
Best signing: Jamie Buhrer (Manly Sea Eagles)
The former Manly back-rower will bring plenty of much-needed experience to the young Knights.
Buhrer has already shown leadership at the Nines, and will be keen to get Newcastle back in the winners’ circle.
Biggest loss: Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Although they lost Sims mid-season in 2016, he is still the biggest name to leave the club, and his size and skill has and will be missed.
Possible star signing: Ken Sio (Hull Kingston Rovers)
Formerly in the NRL with the Parramatta Eels, Sio comes back after a stint in the English Super League.
A quick and athletic outside back, Sio is sure to feature in the Knights 2017 campaign.
Key re-signing: Nathan Ross (2018)
The star of the Hunter last year, speedy back Nathan Ross has inked himself a new deal with the club.
An exciting prospect, Ross is set for another big year in 2017.
Transfer perfomance rating: 6
North Queensland Cowboys
Best signing: Ben Hampton (Melbourne Storm)
The former Melbourne utility will head north for season 2017 as he joins up with North Queensland.
Hampton will be a key signing for the Cowboys, who lost former utility Rory Kostjasyn to the Knights.
Biggest loss: James Tamou (Penrith Panthers)
Australia and New South Wales representative forward James Tamou finds himself at the foot of the mountains in 2017.
One of the most damaging forwards in the game, Tamou’s presence will be missed in the North Queensland line-up.
Possible star signing: Ben Hampton (Melbourne Storm)
Hampton has been given limited opportunities to shine so far in his career, but some fresh scenery might kick-start some form.
If used correctly by coach Paul Green, Hampton could be a revelation.
Key re-signing: Ethan Lowe (2018)
One of the best second rowers in the competition last season, Lowe will again be a key component of the Cowboys side this season.
The club will be happy to have him committed, as they look to push for their second premiership in three years.
Transfer performance rating: 4
Parramatta Eels
Best signing: Nathan Brown (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The barnstorming front rower comes to Parramatta with big expectations.
He proved in his time with South Sydney that he is a damaging ball runner, and he will fit right in with an already frightening Eels pack.
Biggest loss: Nathan Peats (Gold Coast Titans)
Losing Peats mid-season to the Titans was painful for Parramatta fans, as a future Origin representative exited the club.
Without many experienced options at hooker this season, Peats will be sorely missed.
Possible star signing: Frank Pritchard (Hull FC)
The former Panthers and Bulldogs bulldozer is making a return to the NRL after a short, successful stint in the English Super League.
He will add even more power to the Eels forward pack, and will be dangerous if he can re-kindle his old form.
Key re-signing: Bevan French (2019)
The most exciting prospect to come through Parramatta since Jarryd Hayne, French will have all eyes on him this season.
The club will be happy to secure his signature, as they will look to build around him over the next few years.
Transfer perfomance rating: 6
Penrith Panthers
Best signing: James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
The Panthers forward pack looks like one of the best in the NRL with the addition of Tamou.
The former Cowboy can do massive damage, and on his day in near impossible to stop.
Biggest loss: Suaia Matagi (Parramatta Eels)
The Panthers have done well to have only let go of a few first graders from last season, one of which was powerhouse forward Matagi.
He played a solid role of the bench in 2016, and could be hard to replace.
Possible star signing: Mitch Rein (St George Illawarra Dragons)
With Peter Wallace shining in the 9 jumper last season, it will be interesting to see where Rein ends up playing.
Whether it’s off the bench or in the starting side, he has potential to spark the Panthers’ attack.
Key re-signing: Matt Moylan (2021)
Moylan had a brilliant 2016, debuting for the Blues and playing finals football.
His signature is a valuable one for the western Sydney club, who will be aiming for big things in 2017.
Transfer perfomance rating: 9
billyg
Roar Rookie
for all the wraps that Tariq and Korbin get, they really have yet to deliver and don't look like it. Ashton is probably the best of the 3. To me there must be an issue with all of them, they get picked up by good clubs and promise the world, but halfway through their contracts their clubs are always looking to off load them.
Brendon
Guest
My understanding is it's a heavily back ended deal. What he loses in his first year, he makes back in the second. So he better kill it for them in his 2nd year at least Very overrated forward IMO
Norad
Guest
There are no 'transfers' in the NRL peeps. It is called contracts.
Kenw
Guest
A handy player and a better option than some other teams have in that position.
Ben
Roar Guru
Is there something about Jamie Buhrer that I've missed?! I've never rated him. Tamou is a massive signing at Penrith. Mitch Tein on the other hand. It's great the the Cowboys have dished off Kostjasyn, and replaced him with a decent utility in Ben Hampton. Pritchard is a massive signing for Parramatta.
GC Dave
Guest
Agree. I think his brilliant and tough performances in the past has taken its toll on his body and he had a quiet year last year. North Qld other representative front rower is in the same boat. He has a couple of amazing years but his body looks broken and that is a big punt for thew Panthers. Nth Qld will probably offload Scott to the knights as well. A great move, getting rid of the two great front rowers that took them to where they are now, but are at the tail end of their careers. They only have problems because they were so good and played so tough. I would never have bought Tamou.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
He is on 85k less than his Knights deal.
Mike from tari
Guest
Jamie buhrer, don't rate, Simms, how did the Salary Cap Auditors let this guy go to the Broncos on contract for $85,000 when he was on around $350,000 with the Knights, surely his current market value is more than $200,000, are the NRL giving Newscorps team favours again. Hampton, don't rate him neither, bit of white line fever there & I mean the try line. Agree with you on the Eels. Tamou at the Panthers might be the change he needed.
andrew
Guest
Isaac De Gois is Parramatta's first choice hooker. Not a rep player I grant you but not experienced? He has been in first grade for 10 years and without knowing contract details I reckon he is probably significantly better value for what you get than a lot of other over paid hookers in the competition.
Adam
Guest
Pretty sick of hearing all the hype over Tamou tbh - Completely overrated and overpaid. The guy made 30m in 50 mins during game 3 SOO from memory. Definitely should be dropped in favour of Ryan James for upcoming series. That being said the Panthers are going to have a cracker year - very exciting team to watch.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Pretty Accurate.