Mole’s buys of the year: ‘Feel-good story’ leaves Broncos red faced
The NRL finals are almost upon us so it’s as good a time as any to take a look at which players who changed colours at the start of the season have made the biggest impression for their new clubs.
Here’s the top 10 signings from this season.
Selwyn Cobbo has rediscovered his mojo in Dolphins colours. Getty
1. Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos to Dolphins): One of the feel-good stories of the season. His career looked down and out when he couldn’t make the Broncos team last season but he’s been a perfect fit for the free-flowing Dolphins backline. Has rediscovered his love for the game as a result.
2. Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights to Tigers): Went from a one-dimensional tackling back-rower at Newcastle to a line-breaking, ball playing, tryscoring colossus at the Tigers - a stunning transformation before injury hit him.
3. Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs to Cowboys): Has added experience and a hard edge to the North Queensland pack after things went sour for him at Canterbury last year. His big-match toughness has been a big plus for the Cowboys.
4. Setu Tu (Warriors to Dragons): Couldn’t get a look-in at the Wahs but despite the Dragons’ struggles, has proved himself a genuine first grader and consistent try scorer. Will be even better next season in a much stronger Dragons outfit after their impressive buying spree.
5. Freddy Lussick (Warriors to Panthers): Was bought as a back-up by the premiership favourites but with Mitch Kenny having struggles with injury, has played plenty of first grade and proved the perfect fill-in - at a bargain basement price.
6. Dylan Brown (Eels to Knights): The million dollar man has been a key figure in the Knights’ revival, steering the team around the park and justifying his 10-year deal, which many thought was madness when he put pen to paper.
7. Sandon Smith (Roosters to Knights): The perfect foil for Brown, a speedy and clever playmaker who is loving life as a regular first grader at the Knights after only getting the odd game here and there for the Roosters in previous years.
8. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles to Roosters): Has been solid rather than spectacular but has played an important role at the Roosters nonetheless- mentoring young Sam Walker and taking some of the heat off his shoulders. Put Walker’s amazing season down to DCE’s influence as a result.
9. Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans to Warriors): I always thought Gold Coast would regret letting this try scoring machine go and I think time has proven it was a mistake. He’s scoring tries for fun at the Warriors and proving himself to be one of the NRL’s most dangerous finishers.
10. Jamal Fogarty (Raiders to Sea Eagles): Started the season with a bang under Kieran Foran, helping him get his coaching career off to a flying start. Has struggled with injury and form a little since then as his team has been inconsistent but still a valuable addition at Brookvale.
