North Queensland, Cronulla and Brisbane have built their premiership renaissance on a shrewd recruitment drive that has transformed the NRL trio from title contenders to finals contenders.
Just 12 months ago, the Cowboys, Broncos and Sharks were clubs under pressure to get results after exiting the finals competition, with the Queensland duo finishing in the bottom three.
But News Corp’s exclusive annual NRL Rich 100 has highlighted how smart recruitment strategies have catapulted the Sharks, Cowboys and Broncos back into premiership contention.
The five signings of the season — Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes (Cronulla) and Chad Townsend (Cowboys) — have produced impressive results for their respective clubs.
NRL Rich 100: Homegrown stars snubbed from the list
CHECK OUT PART ONE OF THE NRL RICH 100 BELOW
And the cost has been far from a salary cap busting experience.
The Broncos spent a combined $1.35 million for Premier League winning duo Reynolds and Capewell. The Sharks invested $1.25 million to lure Storm pair Finucane and Hynes to Sutherland Shire, while North Queensland’s $710,000 investment in Townsend, who led Cronulla to the 2016 title, has paid handsome dividends.
There were big questions about Townsend’s Townsville bid. The playmaker’s critics believed that, at the age of 31, he dragged himself and rushed towards disaster in the tropics.
But after an hour-long meeting in a Sutherland Shire cafe, Cowboys bosses knew Townsend would be the right fit. His purchase has been vindicated, with Townsend, boosted by the Cowboys co-captaincy, turning back the clock to pilot North Queensland into the top two.
At No. 44 on the Rich 100, Townsend has done well.
“Chad has been in boots and everything since day one,” Cowboys head football coach Michael Luck said.
“When we first met Chad, we were sure he was the guy we needed.
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“Todd (Payten, coach), myself and Dane Campbell (head of recruitment) met Chad in a cafe in Caringbah and for me to watch Chad and Todd talk for an hour, it was like two coaches having a conversation footy.
“We did our homework on Chad with guys who had played with him. The feedback was that we needed a composed field general who didn’t worry too much about what was going on around him.
“He’s been great for our group. He’s been the ultimate professional and a great mentor and teacher to Tom Dearden (five-eighth partner).
“There’s a ton of ways to build a roster and we’ve taken the approach of trying to get as many guys in that can contribute and contribute now.
“Chad was exactly what we were looking for as a playmaker and leader.”
At the Sharks, hard-working lock Finucane and playmaker Hynes have injected winning DNA.
CHECK OUT PART ONE OF THE NRL RICH 100 BELOW
After finishing ninth last season, Cronulla turned to new coach Craig Fitzgibbon and the rookie NRL mentor believed Finucane and Hynes could bring a fusion of steel and tactical intelligence to the Sharks.
The formula has worked, at the right price. Finucane is 66th in the Rich 100 on $625,000, while Hynes is No. 72 on $600,000, exceptional value given his remarkable transition from Storm supersub to Cronulla’s main man at midfield.
“I had a relationship with Craig Fitzgibbon from playing with him for Country and NSW Origin so that’s what attracted me to the club,” Finucane said.
“I was involved in grand finals and premierships so it’s no secret that it was hard to leave Melbourne.
“But I’ve enjoyed my time at the Sharks. It’s an opportunity to be part of helping to shape what the club wants to move forward.”
Reynolds and Capewell have had a similar impact on the Broncos.
After finishing 14th last year, Brisbane were crying out for leadership and an experienced player to steer the ship.
Capewell’s premiership knowledge is worth every penny at $550,000, while Reynolds has repaid Brisbane’s $800,000 outlay by delivering a final campaign in his debut season at Red Hill.
“The best way to describe our roster is well balanced,” Broncos head football coach Ben Ikin said.
“’Reyno’ has that great combination of competitive drive and fun in him and Capewell drives our standards, he’s not afraid to call guys out if they’re cutting corners in training.
“We built a plan for what we wanted our roster to look like. Throw in guys like Reynolds and Capewell, guys who have been in big games and won openers, and we have a good balance.”
Canterbury’s decision in November 2020 to sign Matt Burton, after just six NRL games with Penrith, on a deal worth $550,000 this season, has been a masterstroke.
Although the Bulldogs have struggled this season, Burton’s rise to five-eighth has earned him plenty of plaudits. The 22-year-old will be eligible to negotiate with contending teams through 2024 starting Nov. 1, when he can command around $800,000 for his next deal.
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