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Broncos
Rating — B+: Brisbane needed a halfback, and they got one in Brodie Croft. The big question is whether he is that good. Jesse Arthars is a handy pick-up from down the road, while the Broncos have made some solid re-signings. The likes of Alex Glenn, Kotoni Staggs and Corey Oates have all agreed to longer deals. The last piece of the jigsaw to lock away is David Fifita, who is expected to repay the faith shown in him during that Bali trip to extend with the Broncos.
Raiders
Rating — B+: Canberra have made minimal changes from the side which reached the NRL grand final, with Jordan Rapana and Aidan Sezer being replaced by two rising stars of the game. George Williams is an international halfback, who is tipped to shake the curse of British playmakers in the NRL and excel, while there is nothing to suggest Scott couldn’t play Origin in the next few years. The big priority for the Raiders, however, is getting extensions over the line for homegrown talents Nic Cotric, Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton who all come off contract at the end of 2020.
Dogs
Rating — C+: Canterbury have hardly splashed the cash, but the recruits they have made are solid players who will add steel to an underbelly. Joe Stimson is a handy buy from Melbourne, while Dean Britt was reliable for South Sydney. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a great deal of quality, and have also been able to extend deals for the likes of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Chris Smith, while a proposal for Josh Jackson is in the works.
Sharks
Rating — C: Salary cap restrictions have seen a number of popular faces leave the Sharks for pastures new. The club were keen to keep Kurt Capewell, while the loss of Kyle Flanagan – a Cronulla junior – could be one the Sharks come to regret down the track. Paul Gallen’s retirement was foreseen and Jayden Brailey’s exit was announced mid-season. John Morris has been able to bring in Cameron King from the English second tier to work in tandem with Blayke Brailey at hooker, while the return of Jesse Ramien is sure to add excitement to the club’s three-quarter line. The question remains, however, in a backline of Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan, Bronson Xerri and Josh Morris, who is going to miss out?
Titans
Rating — F: After a pretty dismal season, the Gold Coast have been unable to strengthen a roster which finished stone-cold last in 2019. The loss of Jesse Arthars is a shame given that he is a local junior, while Ryley Jacks was a bit-part player last year. Tightness on the salary cap has severely limited their ability to bring in fresh bodies for new coach Justin Holbrook. One of the few positive developments of news have been the re-signings of the exciting young trio of Mo Fotuaika, Phillip Sami and AJ Brimson. But the Titans have yet to secure extensions for captain Ryan James and Jai Arrow as the latter continues to be linked with moves elsewhere.
Sea Eagles
Rating — B+: Not much change for Des Hasler’s men but they have done wonders in pinning down Tom and Jake Trbojevic as well as new deals for front-row tyros Martin Taupaua and Addin Fonua-Blake. Api Koroisau’s loss will be brought into focus in the wake of the Sea Eagles’ other hooker, Manase Fainu, being stood down. Manly may wish to strengthen from the free-agent market.
Storm
Rating — C+: Melbourne have lost a lot of experience from their backline, meaning that spots are up for grabs. Ryley Jacks’ move back to Melbourne will support Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster in the halves, but thus far he is the only significant acquisition. Melbourne have, however, been able to extend the contracts of a number of forwards. Tui Kamickamika, Christian Welch, Kenny Bromwich and emerging hooker Harry Grant.
Knights
Rating — B-: Newcastle needed a hooker and they’ve got a pretty handy one in Jayden Brailey, while Gehamat Shibasaki and Enari Tuala will be handy backline options for new coach Adam O’Brien. Their forward pack is pretty solid, too, boosted by the new contract for NSW Origin debutant Daniel Saifiti.
Cowboys
Rating — A: The Cowboys recognised where they were short in 2019, and have recruited accordingly. Valentine Holmes and Esan Marsters add strike across their backline. Reece Robson offers speed out of dummy half, while re-signing Ben Hampton, Jake Clifford, Corey Jensen and Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year Tom Gilbert are all shrewd pieces of business.
Eels
Rating — A-: Parramatta have replaced quality with quality. The signing of Ryan Matterson – after he downed tools at the Wests Tigers – is a brilliant piece of business to replace England-bound Manu Ma’u. The acquisition of Reagan Campebell-Gillard also looks smart given Brad Arthur was in the market for a prop and has picked one up from a rival. The Eels’ have also been able to extend the deals of promising youngster Oregon Kaufusi, No. 6 Dylan Brown and Michael Jennings, furthering the new contracts handed out to Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses earlier in the year. Lock away Reed Mahoney, as they are expected to, and the Eels will be nudging towards an A+.
Panthers
Rating — B-: Api Koroisau has worked with Ivan Cleary in the past, while Zane Tetevano and Kurt Capewell add solidity in the pack. The worry for the Panthers, however, is that they have not sought to replace James Maloney meaning a lot of the playmaking repsonsiblity will fall on the shoulders of Nathan Cleary.
Dragons
Rating — D: The Dragons have added experience in the shape of Trent Merrin and Issac Luke, but that won’t help them move up from 15th to the finals with a coach desperately under pressure. They have been able to prolong agreements with Zac Lomax and Tristan Sailor. They have been linked to Brayden Williame – currently playing in France – although nothing is yet official. The Red V have roster spots to fill and could be tempted to dip into the open market before the start of the season.
Rabbitohs
Rating — B: Bryson Goodwin offers back-up across the edge, while Steven Marsters and Troy Dargan are two highly-thought of internationals. There is a feeling they will secure a new deal for Cody Walker, and if they can add Jai Arrow’s signature to offset the loss of Sam Burgess then the Bunnies will be in excellent shape going into 2020.
Roosters
Rating — B+: Very little movement from the Roosters, with Kyle Flanagan – earmarked as Cronk’s long-term replacement – their only significant in. The good news for the Roosters is that they have been able to extend deals for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukieaho. Now all they need to do is resolve the future of a certain Latrell Mitchell.
Warriors
Rating — F: Wayde Egan is the only significant signing for the Warriors, which once would assume makes him candidate to own the No.9 jersey. Where that leaves the likes of Nathaniel Roache, Karl Lawton and utilities Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima, who knows. But the Warriors have failed to strengthen in the areas they were required to.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/7f29d445fdcc93da3e2d0b59fe9dc11f
So Millward got a D which is one up from the lowest rating of F.
Rating — B+: Brisbane needed a halfback, and they got one in Brodie Croft. The big question is whether he is that good. Jesse Arthars is a handy pick-up from down the road, while the Broncos have made some solid re-signings. The likes of Alex Glenn, Kotoni Staggs and Corey Oates have all agreed to longer deals. The last piece of the jigsaw to lock away is David Fifita, who is expected to repay the faith shown in him during that Bali trip to extend with the Broncos.
Raiders
Rating — B+: Canberra have made minimal changes from the side which reached the NRL grand final, with Jordan Rapana and Aidan Sezer being replaced by two rising stars of the game. George Williams is an international halfback, who is tipped to shake the curse of British playmakers in the NRL and excel, while there is nothing to suggest Scott couldn’t play Origin in the next few years. The big priority for the Raiders, however, is getting extensions over the line for homegrown talents Nic Cotric, Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton who all come off contract at the end of 2020.
Dogs
Rating — C+: Canterbury have hardly splashed the cash, but the recruits they have made are solid players who will add steel to an underbelly. Joe Stimson is a handy buy from Melbourne, while Dean Britt was reliable for South Sydney. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a great deal of quality, and have also been able to extend deals for the likes of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Chris Smith, while a proposal for Josh Jackson is in the works.
Sharks
Rating — C: Salary cap restrictions have seen a number of popular faces leave the Sharks for pastures new. The club were keen to keep Kurt Capewell, while the loss of Kyle Flanagan – a Cronulla junior – could be one the Sharks come to regret down the track. Paul Gallen’s retirement was foreseen and Jayden Brailey’s exit was announced mid-season. John Morris has been able to bring in Cameron King from the English second tier to work in tandem with Blayke Brailey at hooker, while the return of Jesse Ramien is sure to add excitement to the club’s three-quarter line. The question remains, however, in a backline of Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan, Bronson Xerri and Josh Morris, who is going to miss out?
Titans
Rating — F: After a pretty dismal season, the Gold Coast have been unable to strengthen a roster which finished stone-cold last in 2019. The loss of Jesse Arthars is a shame given that he is a local junior, while Ryley Jacks was a bit-part player last year. Tightness on the salary cap has severely limited their ability to bring in fresh bodies for new coach Justin Holbrook. One of the few positive developments of news have been the re-signings of the exciting young trio of Mo Fotuaika, Phillip Sami and AJ Brimson. But the Titans have yet to secure extensions for captain Ryan James and Jai Arrow as the latter continues to be linked with moves elsewhere.
Sea Eagles
Rating — B+: Not much change for Des Hasler’s men but they have done wonders in pinning down Tom and Jake Trbojevic as well as new deals for front-row tyros Martin Taupaua and Addin Fonua-Blake. Api Koroisau’s loss will be brought into focus in the wake of the Sea Eagles’ other hooker, Manase Fainu, being stood down. Manly may wish to strengthen from the free-agent market.
Storm
Rating — C+: Melbourne have lost a lot of experience from their backline, meaning that spots are up for grabs. Ryley Jacks’ move back to Melbourne will support Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster in the halves, but thus far he is the only significant acquisition. Melbourne have, however, been able to extend the contracts of a number of forwards. Tui Kamickamika, Christian Welch, Kenny Bromwich and emerging hooker Harry Grant.
Knights
Rating — B-: Newcastle needed a hooker and they’ve got a pretty handy one in Jayden Brailey, while Gehamat Shibasaki and Enari Tuala will be handy backline options for new coach Adam O’Brien. Their forward pack is pretty solid, too, boosted by the new contract for NSW Origin debutant Daniel Saifiti.
Cowboys
Rating — A: The Cowboys recognised where they were short in 2019, and have recruited accordingly. Valentine Holmes and Esan Marsters add strike across their backline. Reece Robson offers speed out of dummy half, while re-signing Ben Hampton, Jake Clifford, Corey Jensen and Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year Tom Gilbert are all shrewd pieces of business.
Eels
Rating — A-: Parramatta have replaced quality with quality. The signing of Ryan Matterson – after he downed tools at the Wests Tigers – is a brilliant piece of business to replace England-bound Manu Ma’u. The acquisition of Reagan Campebell-Gillard also looks smart given Brad Arthur was in the market for a prop and has picked one up from a rival. The Eels’ have also been able to extend the deals of promising youngster Oregon Kaufusi, No. 6 Dylan Brown and Michael Jennings, furthering the new contracts handed out to Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses earlier in the year. Lock away Reed Mahoney, as they are expected to, and the Eels will be nudging towards an A+.
Panthers
Rating — B-: Api Koroisau has worked with Ivan Cleary in the past, while Zane Tetevano and Kurt Capewell add solidity in the pack. The worry for the Panthers, however, is that they have not sought to replace James Maloney meaning a lot of the playmaking repsonsiblity will fall on the shoulders of Nathan Cleary.
Dragons
Rating — D: The Dragons have added experience in the shape of Trent Merrin and Issac Luke, but that won’t help them move up from 15th to the finals with a coach desperately under pressure. They have been able to prolong agreements with Zac Lomax and Tristan Sailor. They have been linked to Brayden Williame – currently playing in France – although nothing is yet official. The Red V have roster spots to fill and could be tempted to dip into the open market before the start of the season.
Rabbitohs
Rating — B: Bryson Goodwin offers back-up across the edge, while Steven Marsters and Troy Dargan are two highly-thought of internationals. There is a feeling they will secure a new deal for Cody Walker, and if they can add Jai Arrow’s signature to offset the loss of Sam Burgess then the Bunnies will be in excellent shape going into 2020.
Roosters
Rating — B+: Very little movement from the Roosters, with Kyle Flanagan – earmarked as Cronk’s long-term replacement – their only significant in. The good news for the Roosters is that they have been able to extend deals for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukieaho. Now all they need to do is resolve the future of a certain Latrell Mitchell.
Warriors
Rating — F: Wayde Egan is the only significant signing for the Warriors, which once would assume makes him candidate to own the No.9 jersey. Where that leaves the likes of Nathaniel Roache, Karl Lawton and utilities Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima, who knows. But the Warriors have failed to strengthen in the areas they were required to.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/7f29d445fdcc93da3e2d0b59fe9dc11f
So Millward got a D which is one up from the lowest rating of F.
...nibbles maybe!
