Good recruitment is the secret to any club’s success, and that doesn’t necessarily mean paying big dollars for an off-contract star or potential star just because of his reputation. That type of recruitment more often than not ends in buyer regret.
The key to recruitment is finding just the right player for your squad, a player who’ll do a job for you, and will provide just what’s needed to take your team to the next level.
With the benefit of hindsight, here’s my take on the top three most influential signings for the season, and interestingly, none of them came with a ridiculous price tag, and they didn’t all get to play finals football.
1. Reece Walsh (Broncos)
Walsh was nearly the one that got away for good from Brisbane when he left the club in 2021 for greener pastures with the Warriors. Fortunately for the Broncos though, he was granted an early release by the Warriors at the end of the 2022 season and they were lucky enough to re-sign him.
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
We all knew that Walsh was always going to be a star, provided he could get his discipline under control both on and off the field, but no one could have predicted the season he had for Brisbane this year. He’s a constant threat to the opposition with ball in hand, has the ability to pull off the unpredictable, has set the Broncos attack alight.
His mere presence in the backline creates space for the talented players around him and causes panic in opposition backlines. Without Walsh, I doubt that Brisbane be just one game away from their first Grand Final since 2015.
2. Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
When Jamayne Isaako was announced as one of the first players recruited by Wayne Bennett, many pundits thought that the old coach was losing his grip, as here was a player unwanted by the Broncos and coming off a very ordinary spell with the Titans.
Unsurprisingly, it turns out that Bennett knew what he was doing all along, and Isaako was a truly inspirational signing. He played nearly every game during the season, finished as the NRL’s top try-scorer with 24 tries from as many appearances, and also topped the NRL point-scoring ladder with 244 points.
Isaako added a touch of class to the Dolphins right edge and if a try was on he invariably found the line. Isaako’s point scoring feats were a big contributor to the Dolphins’ achievements in their inaugural season, and he invariably kept them in the contest right to the end.
3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors)
These days, every successful team needs a strong fullback, and they don’t come any stronger than CNK. His rugged, 80-minute performances are inspirational, and he’s set the standard for his team to follow.
Whether it’s kick returning off his own line, taking the hard runs when his team is in trouble, putting his body on the line under the high ball, or tackling like a forward, Nicoll-Klokstad has got it covered.
Some of his effort plays are next level, and his fitness and toughness can’t be questioned. He’s not the flashiest fullback in the NRL, not by a longshot, but in many ways he can take a large part of the credit for the Warriors long-awaited success this year.
Most clubs would have struggled after losing a player of the calibre of Reece Walsh, but I doubt if a single Warriors player would swap CNK for Walsh or any other fullback in the NRL.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I think he is a guy who thrives on confidence. When he played FB at the Broncs he lost it completely. Bennett has given it back .
jammel
Roar Rookie
I've always rated J Isaako myself!
jammel
Roar Rookie
Yeah exactly. We need at least 1 or 2 noteable signings. Doesn't have to be Luai. But something to improve our spine.
Tony
Roar Guru
Not just Wighton gone but also Croker. They have some money to spend, so it will be interesting to see if they can entice anyone worthwhile.
Tony
Roar Guru
So many players from the Dolphins would come into this discussion, the Hammer and Marshall-King among them.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Geez, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow would have to be a bit stiff to miss out on this top 3 wouldn’t he? As much as Isaako achieved in tries and points scoring, I’d argue the Hammer had probably as big an influence in their win/loss ratio & the icing on the cake was his state of origin contribution. Without having the statistical evidence to back it up, Hammer probably contributed more to those shock upset win than Isaako. He probably scored or had a hand in half the dolphin tries this year which enabled Isaako to either score his own or kick a bucket load of goals. For the importance of the contribution, Jack Cogger at penrith would be in the top half dozen.
jammel
Roar Rookie
the real question for mine is who are the raiders looking to bring in for immediate effect in 2024!? Plenty of youth and talent coming through. Great re-signings too. But with the Wighton cash in the bank ready to spend we really need to throw some cash and bring in a big name, preferably in the spine. Ie a Luai/Hunt calibre player. It is just so hard rn. No one is really available. And it is hard to entice people to canberra..........
Albo
Roar Rookie
I reckon Johnson has helped CNK's game with those right side backline plays.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes mate, sometimes a change of scene and/or a change of coach is all that a player needs to find his best form
Tony
Roar Guru
:happy:
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Lots of reasons Tony. CNK was injured for a lot of 2022 – hurt his neck if I recall in 2021 and missed most of the season – and when he did play was a shadow of the player he was in 2019 and 2020. Lost his confidence, kept making uncharacteristic errors. In 2022 he had a serious hamstring injury (6 weeks) and was replaced by Xavier Savage and hardly played another game for the seniors. His family also returned to NZ in 2022 so I can imagine he was down emotionally on top of injuries and poor form. He was much loved at the Raiders and you could see the emotion from CNK when he played his final game at Bruce. Everyone was sorry to see him go – players, coaching staff and supporters. Returning to NZ has been great for CNK and the Warriors but the Raiders miss the 2019 and 2020 version of him badly. They would have finished higher up the ladder this year if he had stuck around. As I’ve said elsewhere and Baz has said here CNK has added another dimension to his game with his ball playing since rejoining the Warriors. It was something he rarely showed with the Raiders. Maybe different coaching styles, the influence of Shaun Johnson? Whatever it is he is a much better player than he was and that was already very good.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I could ask you the same question, though you didn't use my zinger about CNK's relationship to the Earth's landmass, so I dunno.
Tony
Roar Guru
Thanks David....have you been hacking my computer again? :laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
Cheers Phil. Obviously there are quite a few others, but these three stood out to me. If only they were at the Dragons :happy:
Redcap
Roar Guru
Good article Tony - no arguments from me. I wrote something quite similar in terms of sentiment about CNK just last night, funnily enough. :happy:
Phil
Roar Rookie
Reece Walsh would be my No1 influential buy. He has influenced the Broncos attacking play to the stage they are now genuine title contenders. Also the media to rate him so highly, as well as Billy Slater to pick him over Kalyn Ponga. He influenced the judiciary to help him clean up his mouth so now he channels all of his energy into footy rather than whinging at match officials. The result being a more composed player. Can't find any reason to disagree with you on the others either Tony. Good choices.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
in the Cheese's case, that $ symbol is very apt.
Tony
Roar Guru
P#$$ poor?
Bernie
Roar Rookie
at the other end of the scale we have .... The Cheese. whats the opposite of influential?
Tony
Roar Guru
If I was including coaches, he's probably number one