An undercover masterstroke… and huge halves problem solved: Best NRL recruits ranked 15 to 1

Daly Cherry-Evans in the tricolours.

Dylan Brown wearing something other than blue and gold.

The 2026 NRL season will see some big name stars turn out for new clubs after a busy off-season on transfers.

Watch the 2026 NRL Preason series plus the All-Start matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

But while Cherry-Evans Bondi switch and Brown’s $11m Knights deal might have headlined the summer of moves, there are plenty that flew under the radar.

Here foxsports.com.au ranks the best 15 NRL recruits ahead of the new season.

15. GRANT ANDERSON (STORM TO BRONCOS)

Grant Anderson emerged as a regular fixture in a strong Storm backline in recent seasons, but has made the move to a Broncos side who have lost one of their key wingers. With Selwyn Cobbo departing for the Dolphins, the 26-year-old fills his spot having signed a two-year deal. Anderson will compete with Jesse Arthars to be the next cab off the rank in the Broncos’ backline pecking order, with Josiah Karapani and Deine Mariner locking down the wing spots during the Broncos’ premiership run. However, Michael Maguire has shown he isn’t afraid to swing the axe and Anderson could get his shot to make his NRL debut sooner rather than later, especially considering the rate if injury in the modern game. Anderson is a hardworking, speedy player who has the potential to become a regular start under Maguire. The Storm, meanwhile, will be disappointed that he has departed considering Ryan Papenhuyzen’s immediate exit and Nick Meaney’s impending move to the Bears in 2027.

14. TOM ALE (WARRIORS TO PANTHERS)

The Panthers have gone about rejuvenating their squad this season, signing a host of players including a group from the Warriors. One of the recruits to make the move from New Zealand to Penrith is Tom Ale — a player who has only scratched the surface of his potential. The 26-year-old has played 42 NRL games to date, but didn’t feature in first grade in 2025. Following the departure of James Fisher-Harris, there’s an argument to say the Panthers were lacking punch in the middle of the park in 2025. Ale could be the man to fill the shoes left by Fisher-Harris, not in a leadership sense, but by becoming a hard-nosed middle partner for the likes of Lindsay Smith and Moses Leota. Ivan Cleary has a knack for unlocking the talents of players previously deemed to surplus to requirements elsewhere, and Ale could become the next star who shines bright at the foot of the mountain, especially when you consider he is unlikely to make a dent in the club’s top-heavy salary cap.

13. TREY MOONEY (RAIDERS TO KNIGHTS)

If Trey Mooney’s 2025 NSW Cup campaign is anything to go by, the former Raider is set for a huge season in the Hunter. The 23-year-old had a strong season and was named at prop in the Team of the Year while also playing four NRL games in a strong Raiders outfit. Mooney spent time in the Eels junior system, as well as playing for Australian Schoolboys and NSW underage representative teams in the past. At the Raiders, Ricky Stuart didn’t want to stand in his way should he be able to find regular NRL minutes, telling the Canberra Times: “I don’t want to do the wrong thing by Trey as a young footballer who needs to be playing NRL”. Mooney will get a chance to play big minutes at the Knights, likely filling the big shoes left in the front row following the departure of star prop Leo Thompson. The talented middle will be hoping to stamp his mark on the competition that he is no stranger to, having played 25 NRL games to date.

12. REED MAHONEY (BULLDOGS TO COWBOYS)

Considering the Cowboys’ wealth of attacking options in the backline, Reece Robson’s crisp service and defensive focus worked perfectly under Todd Payten. After he departed, North Queensland bosses looked to fill the vacant No.9 jersey and found a player of a similar mould in Reed Mahoney. The 27-year-old was allowed to depart the Bulldogs, signing a three-year deal with the Cowboys. While Mahoney brings similar traits to Robson, the talented No.9 arguably has a more creative game close to the opponent’s try line, possessing a crafty kicking game and an ability to find gaps for his middle forwards to slice through and score. Elsewhere, especially when making their way from the backfield, Mahoney will still provide strong service from the ruck and also is a hearty defender, like Robson. Payten will be desperate for Mahoney to help his side’s leaky defence, while also providing further output on the attacking end.

11. MORGAN GANNON (LEEDS TO WARRIORS)

Morgan Gannon arrives as one of the latest Super League recruits to grace the NRL, joining a stacked forward pack at the Warriors under Andrew Webster. The Leeds Rhinos back rower arrives in Australia with huge wraps in England, having made his professional debut as a teenager in 2021. Now only 22, Gannon made it clear he wanted to test himself when speaking on the club’s YouTube channel. “It was a decision of do I stay in my comfort zone or do I take a shot in the dark and test myself,” he said. “I think, ultimately, that was what I wanted to do and I’m not regretting it.” Gannon is a back rower by trade — a position the Warriors have a wealth of depth in with the likes of Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore and Jacob Laban at Webster’s disposal. He also has had a history of head knocks, but Webster has a good eye for talent and Gannon is a strong chance of being a hit across the Tasman.

10. JAMAL FOGARTY (RAIDERS TO SEA EAGLES)

Jamal Fogarty is set to fill the big shoes left by star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, having departed the Raiders at the season’s end. The 32-year-old had a stellar season in the nation’s capital and was a big factor in Canberra’s minor premiership. While Fogarty doesn’t fit the mould of Cherry-Evans, who at times plays ‘off the cuff’ football with a focus on his running game, the experienced No.7 will provide stability and direction for a talented Manly side. Fogarty’s direct style, in both the kicking and playmaking departments, could unlock superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic, who flourishes when given time and space with the ball in hand. Kaeo Weekes had a career-best season alongside Fogarty in 2025, so there’s potential for Trbojevic to rediscover the form that saw him be cemented as one of the NRL’s best players when he won the Dally M Medal in 2021.

9. SELWYN COBBO (BRONCOS TO DOLPHINS)

Selwyn Cobbo’s moves to the Dolphins shapes as an interesting one heading into the 2026 season. The talented flyer signed a one-year deal, which could open him up to poaching moves from the NRL’s expansion clubs. But if he hits the ground running, the 17th franchise could make attempts to retain him long term, especially considering he has previously indicated he would prefer to remain as close as possible to his hometown in Cherbourg. The 23-year-old looks set to start on the wing with Jack Bostock sidelined due to an ACL injury, and Kristian Woolf then faces a huge decision when his regular starting flyer returns. But if there’s one thing rugby league fans know about Cobbo it’s that he is one of the game’s most dynamic attackers. Alongside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Cobbo could forge one of the game’s scariest attacking partnerships and one of Origin quality.

8. KAI PEARCE-PAUL (KNIGHTS TO TIGERS)

This is a huge get for the Tigers. Kai Pearce-Paul emerged as a star in the making in Newcastle and has the potential to become one of the competition’s elite back rowers, if he isn’t already in the conversation. Not only is this a quality signing, it’s also a savvy one with the English gun reportedly making the move for around $600,000 per-season. Compare that to the reported $750,000 he was earning in Newcastle as an unproven NRL player and it’s a quality get for Benji Marshall’s side. The 24-year-old was an instant hit in Australian shores, with his 198 centimetre frame proving to be a handful for defenders on the edge and the merger club will be hoping he hits the ground running in Tiger town. Predominantly a right edge back rower, Pearce-Paul is set to forge a partnership with halfback Adam Doueihi, who is set to wear the No.7 alongside Jarome Luai.

7. DYLAN BROWN (EELS TO KNIGHTS)

The Knights splashed the cash in the form of $11 million to sign Dylan Brown. But will he make an impact and live up to his wages? If his performances for New Zealand in the Pacific Championships are anything to go by, the answer is yes (to an extent). It remains to be seen whether Brown will wear the No.6 or No.7 — but the 25-year-old will have to be dominant when it comes to playmaking and organisational duties. At the Eels, Brown was able to take a back seat to Mitchell Moses but in the Hunter he is set to become the main man to create space for superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga. Brown will only get better with age and expect him to improve at the Knights as the season rolls on, while he is also one of rugby league’s best one-on-one defenders, so he shores up an edge. There’s no doubts Brown will improve the Newcastle side, but whether he will live up to his mammoth contract is the biggest question mark.

6. JONAH PEZET (STORM TO EELS)

There was widespread criticism of this signing after it was revealed former Storm young gun Jonah Pezet had put pen to paper on a speed bump contract before joining the Broncos. But there’s merit to it — when you dig deeper. The Eels have a pair of young guns in Lorenzo Talataina and Lincoln Fletcher who aren’t yet ready for the NRL, but could be in 2027. Therefore Jason Ryles needed a stop gap for a season, and he knows Pezet well from the pair’s time in Melbourne. Alongside Mitchell Moses, Pezet could flourish and the young gun has a dangerous short-kicking game which could be utilised to the full effect while Moses takes the reins when it comes to the long game. The 22-year-old is also a proven performer when it comes to the finals, further illustrating he is no longer a player prepared to wait in the wings with a huge performance against the Bulldogs last season. On the surface this signing looked like it benefited Pezet only, but the Eels certainly reap some rewards and will be hopeful of a push towards the finals.

5. DALY CHERRY-EVANS (SEA EAGLES TO ROOSTERS)

The worst kept secret in rugby league, but one the Roosters have been eagerly waiting for. Daly Cherry-Evans’ arrival leading into the 2026 pre-season. The veteran playmaker is set to partner Sam Walker to forge a star-studded spine, teaming up with one of the game’s most dangerous fullbacks in James Tedesco. Cherry-Evans is almost a certainty to make the Tricolours a better team, and something has gone drastically wrong if they don’t improve in 2026. However, it’s fair to say there could be some teething issues as Cherry-Evans and Walker fine tune their roles in a new-look pairing. Meanwhile, James Tedesco thrives with early ball and Cherry-Evans will have to make early passes more often, similarly to the way he unlocked Tom Trbojevic in years gone by. Regardless, the 36-year-old is one of rugby league’s elite playmakers and any team would be lucky to have him, especially for a reported salary of $500,000, wearing the No.7 jersey — let alone an already stacked line-up like the Roosters.

4. REECE ROBSON (COWBOYS TO ROOSTERS)

Reece Robson’s arrival has been out of the spotlight due to Daly Cherry-Evans’ move. But there’s an argument to say he could be their most important signing. Brandon Smith didn’t work out at the Tricolours because he was a run-first hooker, hoping to dart out from the ruck and create his own opportunities. Sam Walker and James Tedesco’s attacking prowess was in turn hampered. So Trent Robinson went out and signed one of the NRL’s best defensive hookers, who also has elite service with an ability to hit his first receivers with a long pass from the ground. Robson could give Walker, Cherry-Evans and Tedesco the breathing space they need to be the dynamic attacking force they can be, and then on the defensive end he does exactly what it says on the tin. That’s not to say Robson can’t dart from the ruck, as he has an ability to find holes, but his role will be to put his playmakers in the best position possible and his inclusion could be the key cog in unlocking this Roosters side’s finals credentials.

MORE NRL NEWS

EVERY CLUB’S BEST 17: Broncos halves call leaves casualty; Roosters DCE dilemma

‘BRINGS UNPREDICTABILITY’: PVL backs tactical kick-off change to grow game