With every new season brings new hope.
There are some huge names changing NRL clubs this summer and several have the potential to deliver their new side a premiership.
Former Dally M Medal winners Jack Wighton (South Sydney) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) headline the big-name moves in 2024.
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Three-time NRL champion Stephen Crichton, meanwhile, becomes the third Panthers premiership winner to sign with the Bulldogs while Luke Brooks will wear a different jersey for the first time in his career.
Here foxsports.com.au analyses the top 10 player transfers heading into the 2024 NRL season.
STEPHEN CRICHTON — PANTHERS TO BULLDOGS
Crichton is the latest big-name Panthers player to make a Sydney switch and join the Bulldogs, following Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau. Initially it seemed the 23-year-old made the move to find regular starting minutes at fullback, but that ploy now looks unlikely under Cameron Ciraldo. With Jake Averillo departing and Rabbitohs gun Blake Taaffe also arriving in 2024, he could be the man to wear the No.1 In only 28 first grade games, Taaffe looks to be a quality fullback and could be the Bulldogs’ answer after Hayze Perham failed to secure the spot this season. That leaves Crichton in the centres, a position which he has made his own for the Panthers, playing a crucial role in their trio of premierships. Crichton’s defence on the edge went to a new level in 2023 and many pundits have labelled him the best centre in the game, while he was also named in the Dally M Team of the Year. The young gun also has many more years of first grade ahead of him and could make a fullback switch down the line, but for now the Bulldogs will be desperate to sure up their defence especially in the outside backs, conceding the most points of any team in 2023. Crichton could spearhead the Belmore revolution and forge a scary partnership with Burton and Kikau on an edge if Ciraldo opts to utilise the Panthers connection.
JACK WIGHTON — RAIDERS TO RABBITOHS
Wighton’s defection from the Raiders to the Rabbitohs was one of the stories of the season in 2023. It was a huge decision for the club’s talisman to hit the market and snub his player option and an even bigger call to leave the nation’s capital and coach Ricky Stuart behind. Wighton cited a desire to win premierships as the reason behind his decision to depart the Raiders and he will now join a stacked backline in Redfern. But where does he fit under Jason Demetriou? The obvious position is in the centres, having played in the role for both NSW and Australia. Isaiah Tass could be the man who makes away, who he could also compete for a wing spot with Taane Milne, Izack Thompson and Tyrone Munro. Wighton could also find himself playing in the halves, with pressure mounting on young gun Lachlan Ilias who was handed the mammoth task of filling the shoes of veteran halfback Adam Reynolds. Ilias’ exile seems unlikely considering both Wighton and Cody Walker are natural five-eighths, but Demetriou could want to spark a big change and overhaul his team after they shockingly missed out on finals in 2023. Whichever decision Demetriou chooses, Wighton certainly strengthens what was an already strong backline.
ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK — RUGBY TO WARRIORS
Tuivasa-Sheck left rugby league midway through the 2021 season, signing with the Auckland Blues before making his All Blacks debut in 2022. However, his rugby union contract expires at the end of 2023 and the gun outside back will return to the Warriors on a three-year deal starting in 2024. Andrew Webster has his side humming and New Zealand came only 80 minutes away from their third-ever grand final appearance this season. Now they will welcome one of the most damaging players rugby league has ever seen in to their backline in a massive boost. Tuivasa-Sheck previously captained the club and played 111 of his 195 NRL matches for the Warriors, winning a Dally M Medal in 2018. While his natural position is at fullback, considering the form and reliability of Charnze Niooll-Klokstad, the returning star won’t be wearing the No.1. Webster has reportedly already told the former Raider he will be fullback, meaning the club’s newest recruit will likely feature in the centres or on the wing. Rocco Berry, Adam Pompey and Marcelo Montoya could all be in the firing line, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is a lock on one wing after an incredible campaign in 2023. While the decision will be a tough one for Webster to make, competition for spots means a club is in a healthy position and Tuivasa-Sheck will only make the Warriors an even better side.
HERBIE FARNWORTH — BRONCOS TO DOLPHINS
Farnworth cemented himself as one of the NRL’s best centres in 2023. His performances this season only proved to make his switch to the Dolphins an even bigger blow for the Broncos, being named in the Dally M Team of the Year. The English international snubbed an extension to remain in Red Hill, instead opting to take up a lucrative contract to play under Wayne Bennett. Farnworth has made no secret of his desires to try his hand at fullback in the future, but faces stiff competition for the No.1 jersey in Redcliffe. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who admittedly is another gun centre, is likely the Dolphins’ long term fullback. Meanwhile, Bulldogs gun Jake Averillo is also a proven option in the position. Bennett bases his backline on defence, and both Averillo and Farnworth are strong defensively. Meanwhile, Tabuai-Fidow’s positional awareness developed immensely in 2023, meaning he is a strong chance of getting the nod in the No.1. A centre partnership of Farnworth and Averillo could prove to be very dangerous for the Dolphins, while Euan Aitken is also a strong option and is contracted until the end of 2024. Aitken’s inclusion could see Averillo move to the wing, while Farnworth is almost a certainty to start in the backline on the left-hand side.
TOM FLEGLER — BRONCOS TO DOLPHINS
The Dolphins have an ageing forward pack, signing several experienced players who pride themselves on hard work. Now they have a younger prop on their books in Broncos gun Tom Flegler. The 24-year-old signed a bumper four-year deal which will likely see him become the prop the club will build around for years to come. Felise Kaufusi, Kenny and Jesse Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Jarrod Wallace are all coming to the end of their careers, meaning Flegler has a big job on his hands in years to come. For now, the gun prop will likely partner Bromwich in the front row, joining a rotation which includes those experienced names. Alongside Kaufusi, Flegler will also be tasked with being the aggressor in this Dolphins side, and Wayne Bennett knows exactly how to get the best out of middle forwards. Flegler is only going to get better as he matures and currently can have a few brainsnaps throughout the year. But the master coach won’t be happy with his marquee prop if he spends extended periods sidelined and Flegler will be desperate to impress when he lands in Redcliffe.
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DOMINIC YOUNG — KNIGHTS TO ROOSTERS
Young made a huge decision to swap the Hunter for the shores of Bondi. But in the process, he handed coach Trent Robinson a huge selection decision. Three doesn’t go in to two, and with Young, Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaalii all candidates for a spot on the wing – one player will miss out. Joseph Manu’s switch to five-eighth didn’t work, meaning he and Billy Smith are locks in the centre positions. Smith’s form at the back-end of the year was a major contributor in the Roosters’ charge, although he is without a contract for 2024. Suaalii is one of the most athletic players in the competition but is departing for the 15-man code in 2025. Meanwhile, Tupou is a club legend and overtook Anthony Minichiello as the club’s leading try scorer, meaning it will be a bold decision to drop him given all he’s done for the club. Although, Tupou is coming towards the end of his career and is also only contracted for one more season with the Tricolours. Young is one of the competition’s best wingers and scored a mouth-watering 25 tries, the most of any player including finals games. The 22-year-old English international will almost certainly wear the Roosters’ jersey next season, but who will be the man to make way?
SPENCER LENIU — PANTHERS TO ROOSTERS
Leniu is arguably one of the competition’s best impact players, delivering off the bench for the Panthers across their three years of premiership glory. The 23-year-old enforcer could come off the bench for the Roosters, with Lindsay Collins and veterans Jared Waerea-Hargreaves starting. Leniu would then join Terrell May on the bench to form a scary middle rotation. However, he could also start in Trent Robinson’s side, however he has scarcely played in the run-on side and his impact off the bench is the hallmark of his game. Interestingly, Leniu and Waerea-Hargreaves went toe to toe this season, with the Penrith prop having to be restrained by teammates after his opponent caught teammate Moses Leota high. Both players were charged with two contrary conduct offences by the NRL Match Review Committee and the pair will have to put their differences aside come pre-season.
JAYDEN SULLIVAN — DRAGONS TO TIGERS
The Tigers halves situation was a consistent problem throughout 2023. Following injuries to Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks at different stages, Tim Sheens didn’t even have two fit halves across the season. After Sheens left, rookie coach Benji Marshall was forced to shift Api Koroisau in to the halves as an experiment, but in 2024 they likely won’t need to make that move. Veteran Aiden Sezer and Latu Fainu have also signed, but Jayden Sullivan could be the man most desperate to make a splash in 2024. The 22-year-old will likely wear the No.6 next season, partnering Sezer who will steer his troops around the park. Sullivan has been stuck behind Ben Hunt and Junior Amone at the Dragons for several years and even requested an immediate release from his contract after the 2022 campaign. Sullivan is at his best when running the ball and is an ‘eyes up’ player who Marshall will undoubtedly nurture. Sullivan couldn’t ask for a better mentor and he could be a dangerous asset for the Tigers, fresh off back-to-back wooden spoons.
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LUKE BROOKS — TIGERS TO SEA EAGLES
Brooks’ move to the Sea Eagles is shaping up as one of the most interesting transfers of the year. The 28-year-old spent a decade at the Tigers, making his debut as an 18-year-old way back in 2013. Brooks snubbed an extension offer from the Leichhardt-based club, instead looking for a fresh start. He found it in Brookvale, signing a four-year deal with Manly to play under Anthony Seibold and revamp the club’s faltering halves pairing. Josh Schuster was tasked with picking up the slack at five-eighth following the departure of Kieran Foran, but the young gun failed to live up to the hype. He was dropped twice and as such has been told he will be moving back to the backrow, despite his lofty $800,000 salary. Brooks will now partner Daly Cherry-Evans, who is arguably one of the game’s best playmakers and is a consistent Queensland representative. The move has the potential to unlock Brooks, who is at his best when he’s given space and time to run the ball. Cherry-Evans is one of the game’s best organising halfbacks and will undoubtedly do everything he can to put Brooks in the right positions. The prospect of Schuster and Brooks forging a strong left-side partnership could also be a scary one for rival sides attempting to defend the pair of attacking threats.
JACK COGGER — PANTHERS TO KNIGHTS
Another year, another Panthers playmaker who has gone on to sign an extended contract. It was Sean O’Sullivan in 2022, who penned a deal with the Dolphins after a strong campaign. Now Cogger has been given a chance to show his skills, playing an integral and underrated role in Penrith’s third-straight premiership. The 26-year-old signed a three-year deal to join the Knights this season, having previously played for the Hunter club from 2016 to 2018. Cogger played at both halfback and five-eighth in 2023 and it remains to be seen how he will slot in to the Knights line-up. The partnership of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings delivered this season, with the duo and Kalyn Ponga steering Adam O’Brien’s side all the way to the second week of finals. Now they have another in-form halfback to contend with and Cogger has shown he has what it takes to be an NRL playmaker. Gamble’s ruthless nature is what makes him a fan favourite in the Hunter, but his playmaking skills don’t compete with that of Cogger who was able to seamlessly slot in to the Panthers system. Cogger and Hastings could be the Knights’ halves partnership for years to come, but O’Brien certainly has a selection headache on his hands for 2024.
