Best buys of 2016

[Eelementary]

Every year, hundreds of players change teams as clubs aim to improve their premiership chances. In this list, I evaluate not who the biggest stars are changing clubs because that is quite obvious, but which buys will be the BEST and make the biggest IMPACT. At the start of this year, nobody would have expected the effect Blake Austin would have had. More often than not, players who don?t have the biggest names are the best buys.

3. Jeff Lima ? Lima?s most recent stint in the NRL came with South Sydney in 2013. During his tenure, he was the rock of their forward pack alongside Sam Burgess and Roy Asotasi. Lima will provide the missing ingredient that the Raiders need.

2. Damien Cook ? Similar to Jake Granville, Cook has shown promise throughout his entire NRL career and is moving clubs for a first grade opportunity. Watch him make the number 9 his own with his speed and evasiveness. Come Round 26 2016, Souths fans will be saying: ?Issac who-ke? rather than Issac Luke.

1. Darcy Lussick ? In 2015, Manly?s biggest problem was how soft their pack of forwards was. With the return of the hard-hitting Lussick, Manly?s pack will not take a backwards step all year. Watch Lussick to wear Blue in 2016.

I like the guy, but he's a pillow with the ball in hand.

You're having a lend.

 

[DiegoNT]

I think if you look over the history of the nrl you'll find that it's pretty rare for a club to win a premiership with a big name halves signing. The vast majority of premiership winning halves either debuted with the club, or came to their club because they couldn't get a fair run at their old club ( guys like prince , soward and even Thurston). Since 98 the only big name halves signings to win a premiership at their new clubs have been Maloney, Orford and fittler

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Matt Parcell buy of the year.

This, he's a gun.

 

[Disco]

Impossible to pick, I'll exclude my club (Manly) for bias reasons and go

Isaac Luke
Aiden Sezer
Te Maire Martin

 

[mxlegend99]

Impossible to pick, I'll exclude my club (Manly) for bias reasons and go

Isaac Luke
Aiden Sezer
Te Maire Martin

Gee I hope so. Even if he's just a benchie player like Hunt in his early days it will be awesome to see him developing to replace Wallace.

 

[jim_57]

Not a huge Ricky Stuart believer/fan but I really like the signing Raiders have made. Looking solid with current squad + the additions of Sezer & Whitehead (not so much Lima)

 

[Red Bear]

I think if you look over the history of the nrl you'll find that it's pretty rare for a club to win a premiership with a big name halves signing. The vast majority of premiership winning halves either debuted with the club, or came to their club because they couldn't get a fair run at their old club ( guys like prince , soward and even Thurston). Since 98 the only big name halves signings to win a premiership at their new clubs have been Maloney, Orford and fittler

Yeah, but once a half is a big name clubs generally do their best to keep them. not many move about from those key areas. Outside the three you mentioned I can think of Kimmorley, Prince (leaving the Tigers) and Soward (leaving the Dragons). Wallace if you're pushing it. The best names, Langer, Daley, Johns, Cronk, Lockyer, Jones etc. Get retained or, in case of someone like Stuart, moved on once they're well passed their prime.

 

[T.S Quint]

RTS will add so much to the Warriors' backline. Very dangerous.

 

[Charlie124]

Maloney will be the buy of the year for 2016 and the Sharks will win a comp while he, Ennis and Holmes make up 3/4 of their spine. All they need is a little luck and minimal disruptions with off field problems. Who knows, they could even get it done next year.

 

[rabbitohs95]

My top 10

10. Damien Cook
9. Aiden Sezer
8. Trent Merrin
7. Trent Hodkinson
6. Te Maire Martin
5. Nate Myles
4. Kieran Foran
3. Issac Luke
2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
1. James Maloney

 

[rabbitohs95]

My top 10

10. Damien Cook
9. Aiden Sezer
8. Trent Merrin
7. Trent Hodkinson
6. Te Maire Martin
5. Nate Myles
4. Kieran Foran
3. Issac Luke
2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
1. James Maloney

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Te Maire Martin
Lewis Brown
Sezer

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Best buys or value buys?
Two very different things.

 

[isaiah]

My top 10

10. Damien Cook
9. Aiden Sezer
8. Trent Merrin
7. Trent Hodkinson
6. Te Maire Martin
5. Nate Myles
4. Kieran Foran
3. Issac Luke
2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
1. James Maloney

Very similar top 10 to the guy at the end of page 2.

 

[Godeangogogogo]

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Issac Luke
3. James Maloney
4. Aidan Sezer
5. Elliott Whitehead

 

[Nice Beaver]

Marty Taupau!!

\\\\/

 

[Zigwaa]

i reckon maloney is just what the sharks need to go that extra step

i reckon maloney is just what the sharks need to go that extra derp

That's what I read it as, more fitting too.

 

[adamkungl]

In order

Maloney

RTS

Luke

Sezer

Foran

Every single other signing

Lussick

 

[adamkungl]

Maloney will be the buy of the year for 2016 and the Sharks will win a comp while he, Ennis and Holmes make up 3/4 of their spine. All they need is a little luck and minimal disruptions with off field problems. Who knows, they could even get it done next year.

I reckon you're on the money. The only thing stopping Sharks from being top 4 certs next year is their history of shooting themselves in the foot.

Warriors in a similar boat but replace foot-shooting with useless coach and culture

 

[natheel]

Established signings

5. Martin Taupau - Manly Sea Eagles
4. Isaac Luke - New Zealand Warriors
3. James Maloney - Cronulla Sharks
2. Kieran Foran - Parramatta Eels
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - New Zealand Warriors

Rookie Signings (either no NRL or some NRL experience)

5. Rod Griffin - Wests Tigers
4. Matt Parcell - Manly Sea Eagles
3. Taane Milne - St George Illawarra Dragons
2. Te Mairie Martin - Penrith Panthers
1. Damien Cook - South Sydney Rabbitohs