By Danielle Smith
Finally! The NRL season is almost here. Is it just me or has this off season dragged on forever?!
There will be many superstars wearing new colours this year. Here's who we believe are the top 10 signings for 2022.
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Adam Reynolds - Souths fans are still devastated that their club let him go, but Broncos supporters are partying in the streets. A brilliant half back, precision goal kicker, and strong leader, Reynolds' signing is expected to have one of the biggest impacts to a club in 2022.
Connor Watson - One of the most versatile players in the NRL. The Newcastle Knights did all they could to hold on to the talented utility player, but Watson decided to return home to the Sydney Roosters. Expect big things from him this year.
Shaun Johnson - Another player returning home, Johnson is a huge signing for the New Zealand Warriors. With the loss of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to Rugby Union, Johnson will bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the club. As long as Johnson can stay injury-free, his talent and presence on the field will be a huge lift for the team.
Dane Gagai - My goodness, lots of stars are heading back to their old clubs! Gagai's return to the Newcastle Knights will have a massive impact to the team's young backline. His guidance to young guns like Bradman Best and Dominic Young will be invaluable, and he will also bring the team some much needed speed and strike power.
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Xavier Coates - At only 20 years old, and already playing in two victorious State of Origin series for Queensland, the sky's the limit for this talented Melbourne Storm recruit. League legend and former Storm great Cooper Cronk believes that with Coates' talent and Craig Bellamy's guidance, he could become "one of the elite wingers of the competition".
Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton - The Canterbury Bulldogs went on the ultimate shopping spree, securing many talented players, but Addo-Carr and Burton are their top buys. With Addo-Carr's speed and acrobatic try scoring ability, along with Burton who had a sensational 2021 and was named in the Dally M Team of the year, both these premiership winning players will have a massive influence on the Bulldogs that hasn't been seen in years.
Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes - Another team who went on a strong recruitment drive was the Cronulla Sharks. With Finucane's leadership and experience, and Hynes' speed and versatility, the high-profile ex-Storm duo will be valuable assets to their new club. McInness, is an underestimated talent. Just a strong, hard, reliable player. Incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon always new Mcinnes was part of his future plans. "I remember saying to him, 'I'm not sure where I'm going to end up coaching (in the NRL), but when I do, I am coming for you,'" Fitzgibbon admitted last year. "He was phenomenal, just intensity and preparation." The Sharks picked the NRL trifecta with these guys.
Topics: Analysis, Rugby League, nrl, Australia