Passionate Eels fan Mick joins us for his first article on NRL News, casting his eye over the player movements ahead of the 2015 season, the best buys and the dodgy buys. Who will succeed and do you agree?

As the season fast approaches, you may be wondering what has been happening since the Rabbitohs held aloft the 2014 Premiership. We’ve had the Four Nations, Jarryd flying the coop, more urination issues, stolen trophies and player movements galore!

It can always be a bit of a surprise when Round 1 comes around and your team looks nothing like it did the season before, so here is a cheat sheet as to the comings and goings of your teams’ players as well the signings to watch!

Brisbane Broncos

Gains

Anthony Milford (Raiders)
Mitch Garbutt (Storm)
Adam Blair (Tigers)
Greg Eden (Hull KR)
Travis Waddell (Knights)
Darius Boyd (Knights)
James Gavet (Wests Tigers)

Losses

Josh Hoffman (Titans)
Jake Granville (Cowboys)
Ben Hannant (Cowboys)
Jharal Yow Yeh (retired)
Martin Kennedy (Roosters)
David Hala (Titans)
Ben Barba (Sharks)
Stewart Mills (Released)

Anthony Milford is the big news at the Broncos as they managed to entice him away from the Raiders. Will he be a better signing than Barba, who lasted just one season north of the border? Coupled with that, Darius Boyd has followed his mentor Bennett back to the Broncos, but after a freshly ruptured achilles he’ll miss the majority of the season.
With Hoffman leaving to the Titans, all of a sudden the fullback stocks are limited, especially if we listen to Hodges who would rather not play at the back. Greg Eden arrives from the UK as another possible option on the wing or fullback, but I daresay Vidot and Maranta will get the nod for Round 1.
In positive news however, Brisbane have picked up James Gavet from the Tigers, a rollickingly good buy along with Mitch Garbutt from the Storm. 115kg of power up front. Martin Kennedy and David Hala make way for these props, heading to the Roosters and Titans.

Best Buy: Anthony Milford. So much potential and one can only imagine that Bennett will bring out his best.
Dodgy Buy: Darius Boyd. Bennett’s puppy is surely past his use-by date and his achilles tendon agrees.

Grade: A

Canberra Raiders

Gains

Sisa Waqa (Storm)
Iosia Soliola (St Helens)
Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Roosters)
Josh Hodgson (Hull KR)
Blake Austin (Wests Tigers)
Rhys Kennedy (Storm)
Sam Williams (Dragons)

Losses

Anthony Milford (Broncos)
Reece Robinson (Eels)
Brett White (retired)
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Storm)
Sami Sauiluma (Sharks)
Matt Allwood (Warriors)
Lagi Setu (Roosters)
Matt McIlwrick (Roosters)
Terry Campese (Hull KR)
Sam Mataora (Knights)
Matt Frawley (Bulldogs)
Mosese Pangai (Q Cup)
Jake Foster (Q Cup)

What can Ricky Stuart do in his second season at his home club? The question also has to be asked, how long can he claim to rebuild every club he goes to? With the departure of big names like Milford, Robinson, Learoyd-Lahrs and Campese, the Raiders haven’t exactly set the transfer market alight. Sisa Waqa joins the club from the Storm along with a pair of ex-Super League Players, Soliola and Hodgson. In other frequent flyer news, local junior, Sam Williams returns to the club that he left just 12 months earlier. Perhaps he thinks that this time he will stick around?
It looks like it could be a tough season for the Raiders unless their contracted youngsters can really step it up.

Best Buy: Sisa Waqa. A flying proven finisher from the Storm. He could set Canberra Stadium alight.

Dodgy Buy: Sam Williams. 2nd time lucky or clutching at straws?

Grade: C

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Gains

Michael Lichaa (Sharks)
Curtis Rona (Cowboys)
Brett Morris (Dragons)
Jarrod McInally (Easts Tigers)
Jacob Loko (Eels)
Antonio Kaufusi (Huddersfield, ESL)
Matt Frawley (Raiders)

Losses

Michael Ennis (Sharks)
Mitch Brown (Sharks)
Reni Maitua (Featherstone Rovers)
Krisnan Inu (French rugby)
Lachlan Burr (Titans)
John Sila (Tigers)
Dale Finucane (Storm)
Drury Low (Released)
Tom Murphy (Q Cup)
Pat Templeman (Q Cup)

Whilst it’s been a relatively quiet off-season for the 2014 runners-up, they have made some very astute signings. They have swapped one Michael for another, as Ennis ends his long association with the club and young Lichaa comes in.
The Morris brothers’ team up again for one of the more heart-warming signings and winger, Rona looks to be a clever signing for the future from the Cowboys and Kaufusi returns to the NRL to add some experience up front.
Jacob Loko was announced mid last year as a new signing but has started out with a rocky path, If he can stay injury free, he has the potential to perform at the top level. The Bulldogs will run out this season without Mitch Brown, Maitua, Inu and Finucane, but they have enough depth a quality to be a force again this season.

Best Buy: Michael Lichaa. This 21 year old has big shoes to fill, but has shown enough promise to be worthy.

Dodgy Buy: Jacob Loko. Signed when injured and now in the news for the wrong reasons. It will take a lot for Loko to prove himself again.

Grade: B+

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Gains

Ben Barba (Broncos)
Michael Ennis (Bulldogs)
Mitch Brown (Bulldogs)
Sami Sauiluma (Raiders)
Jack Bird (Dragons)
Gerard Beale (Dragons)
Saulala Houma (Newtown Jets)
Jayson Bukuya (Warriors)
Kyle Stanley (Dragons)

Losses

Todd Carney (Catalans)
Michael Lichaa (Bulldogs)
Sosaia Vave (Sea Eagles)
John Morris (retired)
Beau Ryan (retired)
Bryce Gibbs (retired)
Jonathan Wright (Warriors)
Tupou Sopoaga (Panthers)
Sione Masima (Rabbitohs)
Mark Mexico (PNG)

It could be the start of a new era for the Sharks as they look to move forward from the ASADA scandal and rebuild towards an inaugural premiership (fans will be hoping!) Ennis arrives in a hooker swap with Lichaa and will add his wealth of experience (and grub) to the Sharks pack. Ben Barba returns to Sydney and everyone will be hoping he can return to his best as he slots into the halves with Jeff Robson this season. Bukuya also returns to the club that built him after a season at the Warriors.
Young ex-Dragons trio, Stanley, Beale and Bird arrive at the Sharks looking to form new combinations. It’s a promising time for the Sharks who may still lack the firepower to give the big times a shake, but are definitely headed in the right direction, as long as they can stay out of the news for the wrong reasons.

Best Buy: Ben Barba. Let’s ignore the past season and bank in the knowledge that Barba has the skills to return to the highlight reels.

Dodgy Buy: Ben Barba. If you can’t forget last season you’ll be worried about the halves combination this year.
Grade: B

Gold Coast Titans

Gains

Josh Hoffman (Broncos)
Matt Robinson (Panthers)
Ryan Simpkins (Panthers)
James Roberts (Panthers)
Lachlan Burr (Bulldogs)
David Hala (Broncos)
Kierran Moseley (Panthers)
Eddy Pettybourne (Wigan)

Losses

Davin Crampton (Northern Pride)
Brad Takairangi (Eels)
Albert Kelly (Hull KR)
Maurice Blair (Hull KR)
Luke Bailey (retired)
Ashley Harrison (retired)
Mark Minichiello (Hull FC)
Cody Nelson (Eels)
Sam Irwin (Featherstone)
Steve Michaels (Hull FC)
Paul Carter (sacked)
Beau Henry (Dragons)
Tom Kingston (Army)

The Titans have not had a good run, missing out on the finals for the last four seasons and struggling to compete against the better teams. Josh Hoffman is a great buy at the back, along with bulking David Hala up front. Kierran Moseley will add depth to the rake position, whilst Matt Robinson will be hoping for an injury free year.
To be honest, it’s not a great list of signings for the Titans. Having lost four good players to Hull (Kelly, Blair, Minichiello and Michaels) along with the retirements of Bailey and Harrison it will be a tough year.

Best Buy: Josh Hoffman. He is a class player and should make the No. 1 position his own.

Dodgy Buy: Eddy Pettybourne. His struggles at the Tigers and leaving Wigan for personal reasons make him a risky
buy, but he will gets chances to bounce back.

Grade: D

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Gains

Blake Leary (Cowboys)
Sosaia Vave (Sharks)
Feleti Mateo (Warriors)
Brayden Williame (Knights)
Willie Mason (Knights)
Luke Burgess (Rabbitohs)

Losses

Anthony Watmough (Eels)
Richie Fa’aoso (Eels)
Glenn Stewart (Rabbitohs)
Jason King (retired)
Daniel Harrison (London Broncos)
Epalahame Lauaki (Bradford Bulls)
Zane Tetevano (sacked)

Manly come into the 2015 season without three of their stalwarts. A back-row without Watmough and Stewart looks strange and local junior, Jason King, will be sorely missed. The arrival of Feleti Mateo will be a god-send for the Sea Eagles, his off-loading style sure to work well, whilst Mason’s experience up front will cover for King’s departure. The late pickup of Luke Burgess from the Bunnies is huge and adjusts the recruiting grade up a notch.
The contract negotiations that continues to rumble around Foran and Cherry-Evans will be an interesting distraction for the Sea Eagles, but the core of their team remains as-is for this season.

Best Buy: Feleti Mateo. Still a force to be reckoned with and should provide many an offload for ‘The Snake’

Dodgy Buy: Willie Mason. As much as he has given to the game, I think it’s time for this 34 year old to hang up the boots. Two seasons too long?

Grade: B+

Melbourne Storm

Gains

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders)
Shaun Nona (Northern Pride)
Blake Green (Wigan Warriors)
Dale Finucane (Bulldogs)

Losses

Ryan Hoffman (Warriors)
Sisa Waqa (Raiders)
Justin O’Neill (Cowboys)
Bryan Norrie (retired)
Rhys Kennedy (Raiders)
George Rose (Dragons)
Ben Roberts (Castleford Tigers)
Mitch Garbutt (Broncos)
Junior Moors (Castleford Tigers)
Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
Joel Romelo (Q Cup)

The Melbourne star is fading. Slater and Smith are hitting the twilight of their careers and players are moving on quickly. Hoffman, Waqa, O’Neill, Garbutt and Norrie are all big losses. The return of Blake Green to the NRL is a good replacement for Roberts, but there are definitely a few question marks around the park.
Knowing Bellamy, he will be able to polish stones into diamonds along the way, but one gets the feeling that would be getting tougher and tougher to do. Finucane is a decent signing after getting limited game time at the Bulldogs and Learoyd-Lahrs could return to his form of old, but it seems that this season could be a tough one for the once great team.

Best Buy: Blake Green. A dark-horse for signing of the year. Solid performances at Wigan and loads of potential.

Dodgy Buy: Tom Learoy-Lahrs. His star has faded over the last season and heading into his 30’s he may struggle to replicate his best.

Grade: C-

Newcastle Knights

Coming

Tariq Sims (Cowboys)
Jack Stockwell (Dragons)
Carlos Tuimavave (Warriors)

Losses

Adam Cuthbertson (Leeds Rhinos)
Michael Dobson (Salford Red Devils)
Matt Hilder (retired)
Travis Waddell (Broncos)
Matt Minto (CQ Capras)
Josh Mantellato (Hull Kingston Rovers)
Willie Mason (Sea Eagles)
Brayden Williame (Sea Eagles)
Zane Tetavano (sacked)
Darius Boyd (Broncos)
Chance Peni (Wests Tigers)
Timana Tahu (retired)

Tariq Sims returns to NSW and is one of the buys of the season. Despite the fact he’ll be missing the first month of the competition, he will slot straight into a forward line-up already bristling with talent giving the Knights a formidable pack. On the other hand, the Knights lose a load of players, like Cuthbertson, Mason, Hilder, Dobson and Boyd as well as, of course, their ‘super’ coach, Wayne Bennett.
A lack of signing means the Knights will be relying on their current stars to see them through 2015, but Stockwell and Tuimavave are clever signings.

Best Buy: Tariq Sims. Will be a force to behold on the Central Coast. One of the buys of the year.

Dodgy Buy: Only 3 signing makes it hard to pick a dodgy one, but Tuimavave has a lot to prove.

Grade: B-

North Queensland Cowboys

Gains

Jake Granville (Broncos)
Ben Hannant (Broncos)
Kelepi Tanginoa (Eels)
Justin O’Neill (Storm)
Ben Spina (Northern Pride)

Losses

Brent Tate (retired)
Tariq Sims (Knights)
Ashton Sims (Warrington Wolves)
Curtis Rona (Bulldogs)
Joel Riethmuller (released)
Anthony Mitchell (released)
Ricky Thorby (released)

He may have signed up for the Cowboys over a year ago, but Lachlan Coote is still a key for the Cowboys. Being the unfortunate victim of a shocking knee injury in the 9’s last year, he is yet to debut for the Cowboys and fans eagerly await his injection from the back. The Cows have picked up decent signings this year in Broncos, Granville and Hannant whilst Tanginoa has showed enough promise at the Eels to be a worthwhile signing.
On the flip side, the Cowboys lose Tate to old age, the Sims brothers as well as Curtis Rona. It should be good year for the Cowboys, but they are relying on young players with a history of injuries to get them through.

Best Buy: Jake Granville. A very handy utility that has performed well at QLD cup level. Will push to start.

Dodgy Buy: Kelepi Tanginoa. It’s always a risk, buying a player under an injury cloud. Tanginoa has played just 13 games for the Eels over 2 years and the Cowboys will be hoping for a lot more.

Grade: C+

Parramatta Eels

Gains

Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
Richie Fa’aoso (Sea Eagles)
Brad Takairangi (Titans)
Reece Robinson (Raiders)
Danny Wicks (unsigned)
Beau Champion (Rabbitohs)
Adam Quinlan (Dragons)
Cody Nelson (Titans)
Ben Crooks (Hull FC)
Shannan McPherson (Salford Red Devils)

Losses

Jarryd Hayne (NFL)
Willie Tonga (Catalan Dragons)
Ken Sio (Hull Kingston Rovers)
Ben Smith (retired)
Kelepi Tanginoa (Cowboys)
Liam Foran (London Broncos)
Lee Mossop (Wigan Warriors)
Fuifui Moimoi (Leigh Centurions)
Jacob Loko (Bulldogs)
Api Pewhairangi (New Zealand Warriors)
Lorenzo Ma’Afu (QLD Cup)

The Eels have been very active on the market as they enter the 2nd year of the Brad Arthur era. While obviously Hayne is a massive loss for the game as a whole, the Eels have also lost name players such as Sio, Tonga, Smith, Moimoi and Tanginoa. Whilst some of these players may not have been standouts, they have certainly contributed positively to the team in the past.
Watmough is the biggest signing the Eels have grabbed, but don’t underestimate Brad Takairangi and Reece Robinson, who will give some options at the back. Fans will be intrigued to see how Wicks fits back in to the NRL after serving his sentence for drug dealing. Similarly, the Eels have thrown a lifeline to Fa’aoso after his horror neck injury.

Best Buy: Anthony Watmough. As divisive as he is, the Eels’ fans will embrace him and his experience will be invaluable to a young pack.

Dodgy Buy: Danny Wicks. Although he would not have cost a lot, it is a risk to buy someone who has been out of the game for so long.

Grade: B

Penrith Panthers

Gains

Apisai Koroisau (Rabbitohs)
Tupou Sopoaga (Sharks)

Losses

Tim Grant (Rabbitohs)
Kevin Kingston (retired)
Eto Nabuli (Dragons)
Ryan Simpkins (Titans)
Matt Robinson (Titans)
Kierran Moseley (Titans)
James Roberts (Titans)
Wes Naiqama (London Broncos)
Luke Capewell (QLD Cup)
Anthony Cherrington (QLD Cup)
Ethan Cook (Central Newcastle)
Tom Humble (QLD Cup)
Vaipuna Tia Kilifi (QLD Cup)

The Panthers have been re-building around their current team and that’s quite noticeable when you look at the lack of purchases for this season. The pickup of Koroisau from the Rabbitohs is a solid replacement for retiring Kingston, whilst young Sopoage can play back row and may get a bench spot later in the year.
Tim Grant moves to the Premiers, whilst Simpkins, Naiqama, Robinson and Nabuli are all noticeable losses. The Panthers are banking on their established players this season and it will make or break them.

Best Buy: Apisai Koroisau. He showed some excellent touch when filling in for the premiership winning Bunnies, but will he get much gametime behind Segeyaro?

Dodgy Buy: Not buying anyone. The lack of action in the market may come back to haunt the Panthers.

Grade: D

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Gains

Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles)
Tim Grant (Panthers)
Cody Walker (Storm)
Angus Crichton (Schoolboys Rugby)
Sione Masima (Sharks)

Loses

Sam Burgess (rugby union)
Ben Te’o (rugby union)
Beau Champion (Eels)
Luke Burgess (Sea-Eagles)
Apisai Koroisau (Panthers)
Nathan Merritt (retired)
Matt Hyland (NSW Cup)
Joe Picker (retired)
Lote Tuqiri (released)

Some might say that the Bunnies won their premiership around Sam Burgess, so there is no bigger loss to any team this season than him. His brother, Luke, has moved North across the Spit and now the Bunnies will be looking to go back to back with a couple of new faces. After much media hype, Glenn Stewart arrives at Redfern to show what he has left, whilst former rep player (maybe again?), Tim Grant joins the pack. Angus Crichton has been stolen away from Rugby Union and has the potential to be a damaging centre or second-rower.

The ‘Going’ list is long, however, and as well as Burgess, the Bunnies will miss Te’o, Champion, Koroisau and Merritt. Cody Walker is already in trouble, although there is speculation that he will remain with the club.
Best Buy: Tim Grant. He has huge shoes to fill, but he has the potential if he can re-capture his form of 2012.

Dodgy Buy: Cody Walker. With a domestic assault charge hanging in the air, Walker may still controversially run out with the Rabbitohs this season, unless the NRL intervene.

Grade: C+

St. George-Illawarra Dragons

Gains

Eto Nabuli (Panthers)
George Rose (Storm)
Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Warriors)
Dane Nielsen (Warriors)
Heath L’Estrange (Roosters)
Beau Henry (Titans)
Kris Keating (Hull KR)
Rulon Nutira (Gundagai Tigers)
Jake Marketo (Redcliffe)
Shannon Wakeman (Cutters)
Rory O’Brien (Cutters)

Losses

Brett Morris (Bulldogs)
Sam Williams (Raiders)
Michael Witt (retired)
Jack Bird (Sharks)
Gerard Beale (Sharks)
Adam Quinlan (Eels)
Josh Ailaomai (QLD Cup)
Bronson Harrison (released)
Willie Mataka (released)
Shane Pumipi (released)
Matt Groat (Salford Red Devils)
Jack Stockwell (Knights)
Kyle Stanley (Sharks)

Action aplenty at the Dragons as they look to re-invest in youth down south. The loss of Brett Morris will definitely hurt, but Eto Nabuli is a handy pickup from the Panthers. Promising fullback, Adam Quinlan, is a late departure, whilst Sam Williams returns to the Raiders.

The return of Kris Keating to the NRL will be interesting, but where will he fit in with Benji and Widdop in the halves? Bustling George Rose will be a welcome addition to the pack.

Best Buy: Dane Nielsen. Whilst the quality of the buys are thin, ex-Maroon Nielsen should slot straight in the ¾ line and is a tried and tested player.

Dodgy Buy: Kris Keating. The ex-Eel and Bulldog seems to be a nothing buy on a one year contract. If he can get a run at hooker, maybe we’ll see glimpses of his old form.

Grade: C-

Sydney Roosters

Gains

Martin Kennedy (Broncos)
Abraham Papalii (Warriors)
Lagi Setu (Raiders)
Matt McIlwrick (Raiders)
Blake Ferguson (Contract registered)

Losses

Sonny Bill Williams (rugby union)
Anthony Minichiello (retired)
Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Raiders)
Remi Casty (Catalan Dragons)
Tautau Moga (Cowboys)
Saulala Houma (Sharks)
Kurt Kara (NSW Cup)
Heath L’Estrange (Dragons)
Rhyse Martin (QLD Cup)
Curtis Naughton (Hull FC)

The Roosters will be smarting after the losses of Sonny-Bill, Minichiello and Nuuausala. None of which will be easy to replace. Blake Ferguson’s arrival in the team is sure to raise question marks, but Martin Kennedy makes a welcome return from the Broncos and Matt McIlwrick could slot straight into hooker with Jake Friend’s fitness cloud.

Abraham Papalii arrives from the Warriors with big wraps as a ball running forward, whilst Lagi Setu tries his luck at a new club following his mission of 2012-13.

Best Buy: Abraham Papalii. “Big, Fast & Skilful” is how he has been described. Has all the makings of a young superstar.

Dodgy Buy: Blake Ferguson. Is it just a matter of time before we find out how dodgy this buy is? Of course, spots can change…

Grade: B-

New Zealand Warriors

Gains

Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
Matt Allwood (Raiders)
Bodene Thompson (Wests Tigers)
Jonathan Wright (Sharks)
Api Pewhairangi (Wentworthville/Eels)

Losses

Kevin Locke (Salford Red Devils)
Carlos Tuimavave (Knights)
Feleti Mateo (Sea Eagles)
Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Dragons)
Abraham Papalii (Roosters)
Jerome Ropati (retired)
Jayson Bukuya (Sharks)
Sam Lousi (rugby union)
Michael Sio (QLD Cup),

New Zealand have always had a habit of signing big names and this year is no different. Ryan Hoffman leaves the Storm to strengthen the Warriors and could well be the signing of the year. There have been other smart buys in Bodene Thompson and Matt Allwood, whilst Jon Wright will attempt to resurrect his career.

Unfortunately they lose other big names like Mateo, Bukuya, Locke, Tuimavave and Ropati, so it’s fair to say that they’ve lost more than they’ve gained.
Best Buy: Ryan Hoffman. Will be a great buy for the club and a more than capable replacement for Mateo.

Dodgy Buy: Jonathan Wright. He has been jumping clubs every two years, which is never a good sign. Consistency seems to plague him, but maybe he’ll see better fortunes across the ditch.

Grade: B-

Wests Tigers

Gains

Chance Peni (Knights)
Josh Drinkwater (London Broncos)
Kevin Naiqama (Panthers)

Losses

Braith Anasta (retired)
Liam Fulton (retired)
Cory Paterson (Salford)
James Gavet (Broncos)
Adam Blair (Broncos)
Bodene Thompson (Warriors)
Blake Austin (Raiders)
Jy Hitchcox (Featherstone Rovers)
Jarred Farlow (French rugby)

The Tigers fans would be fair in wondering why they haven’t been more active on the player marker. With just 3 new faces for 2015 and Naiqama the only one to have solid NRL experience, it could lead to a tough season for the Tigers. However, youth is what the Tigers are banking on, having retained the services of several promising youngsters. This means that Paterson, Gavet, Blair and Thompson have all been let go to make room for Farah and his young team.

Will this backfire on the Tigers? Their forward stocks look seriously depleted and with Matthew Lodge in trouble with the law, their cause is even more in danger. Could be a long season for Tigers’ fans.

Best Buy: Kevin Naiqama. With Nofoaluma uncertain to start the season, Naiqama could get a perfect chance to impress.

Dodgy Buy: Hard to say. Both Drinkwater and Peni are youngsters with promise, but mid-season buy, Matthew Lodge, has proven to be dodgy already.
Grade: F

By ricky

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