DURING every pre-season fans want to pore over which players their respective NRL club has brought in and which they have let go.

The forever unsolved jigsaw puzzle that is the professional rugby league market is moving all the time — if not above the surface, then certainly below it.

But the market moves that happen over the off-season are rarely assessed as heavily once the “new boys” are actually on the park wearing the colours.

So foxsports.com.au has taken the time to look at the recruits every club has brought in for the 2017 season.

Round 20

And we’ve rated all 16 clubs — based not on the team’s performance, but on how their recruits have impacted the season.

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STORM

Recruits: Josh Addo-Carr, Brandon Smith, Vincent Leuluai, Jahrome Hughes, Ryley Jacks

How they’ve fared: Josh Addo-Carr has clearly been the pick of Melbourne’s new boys.

He’s played all but one game and scored nine tries on the left wing replacing Marika Koroibete.

Jacks has been the surprise packet, thrown into the side when Cameron Munster was injured earlier in the season and performing well in his eight appearances.

Brandon Smith was impressive in his one game replacing his skipper and namesake at hooker and looks like a good investment for the future.

Rating: C+

Josh Addo-Carr celebrates a try. Source: AAP

BULLDOGS

Recruits: Zac Woolford, Josh Cleeland, Rhyse Martin, Brenko Lee, Tom Carr, Francis Tualau, Richard Kennar, Asipeli Fine, Rod Griffin, Andy Saunders

How they’ve fared: Brenko Lee has played every game since making the move to Canterbury from Canberra, but has been axed for round 14 to make way for the returning Chase Stanley.

It’s a somewhat surprising selection call from Des Hasler given Lee’s form has been quite solid, while only scoring two tries.

Aside from Lee, the Bulldogs’ other recruits have barely had a look in. Young Zac Woolford could be one to keep an eye out for down the track.

Rating: D

SEA EAGLES

Recruits: Shaun Lane, Blake Green, Cameron Cullen, Akuila Uate, Curtis Sironen, Lloyd Perrett, Jackson Hastings, Brian Kelly, Jonathan Wright, Jarrad Kennedy, Taniela Paseka

How they’ve fared: Trent Barrett’s list management strategy looked bizarre a few months ago but the proof has been in the pudding.

Blake Green has been one of the best buys of the year, slotting in at five-eighth and playing his role to perfection.

Brian Kelly has found a home at left centre and scored five tries in 12 games, veteran winger Akuila Uate has scored seven in 11, while Jackson Hastings looks a happier man and is playing a role off the bench.

Curtis Sironen isn’t a superstar but he’s played 12 games and scored a couple of tries from the backrow. All in all the Sea Eagles recruits have proven Barrett’s vision right.

Rating: A

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Manly coach Trent Barrett to discuss the Sea Eagles’ stunning transformation in 2017.

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KNIGHTS

Recruits: Jamie Buhrer, Rory Kostjasyn, Ken Sio, Josh Starling, Jacob Gagan, Joe Wardle, Anthony Tupou

How they’ve fared: Jamie Buhrer was one of Newcastle’s best early in the season before a broken foot sidelined him after six games and he hasn’t been sighted since.

Rory Kostjasyn hasn’t even made it onto the field since a pre-season training accident required him to undergo throat surgery.

Ken Sio and Josh Starling have found permanent spots in the team and are performing OK in a beaten side every week.

Joe Wardle is the other recruit who has made some kind of impact, but Jacob Gagan and Anthony Tupou have struggled to crack the teamsheet.

Rating: D+

SHARKS

Recruits: Manaia Cherrington, Tony Williams, Jeremy Latimore, Daniel Mortimer, Malakai Houma, Kurt Dillon, Edrick Lee, James Segeyaro (mid-season)

How they’ve fared: Cronulla have largely been able to fill the holes left from last year’s grand final side with players who were already at the club — Jayden Brailey and Valentine Holmes at the top of the list.

For that reason, none of the Sharks recruits have had a significant impact on the NRL this season. Jeremy Latimore has played 11 games but the others have barely been able to secure a spot in the side.

James Segeyaro has come back from England and played three games in his new colours, but the form of rookie Brailey has been impressive and a Segeyaro injury just as he was hitting his straps has forced the rookie to do the lion’s share of the work.

Edrick Lee has been a disappointing pick-up and only managed four games on the wing.

Rating: D

Sharks hooker James Segeyaro. Source: News Corp Australia

EELS

Recruits: Jamal Fogarty, Siosia Vave, Nathan Brown, George Jennings, Josh Hoffman, Suaia Matagi, Frank Pritchard, Kirisome Auva’a, Will Smith, Mitchell Moses (mid-season), Nathan Davis (mid-season)

How they’ve fared: Most of Parramatta’s recruits have found a home in the NRL side and have contributed in one way or another to the Eels’ season.

Siosia Vave, Nathan Brown, Josh Hoffman, Suaia Matagi, and Kirisome Auva’a are all regular members of the team and have played at least nine of the 13 games. Brown in particular has been a revelation since moving over from South Sydney.

Then there’s Frank Pritchard who has made six appearances and Will Smith who has been used here and there in different roles.

Mitchell Moses has been the big inclusion since joining mid-season from Wests Tigers after pushing for a release for several weeks. He will be instrumental in the club’s finals charge.

Rating: A

RABBITOHS

Recruits: Tyrell Fuimaono, Robbie Rochow, Connor Tracey, Robbie Farah, Luke Kelly, Anthony Cherrington, Robert Jennings

How they’ve fared: Robbie Farah’s signing was questioned by some, given his age and the emergence of Damien Cook over recent seasons. But the veteran hooker has been a more than handy addition to the Rabbitohs’ side.

He’s played all but one game for his new club, and switched between the bench and starting hooker in a juggling act with Cook that has generally served the team well.

Robbie Rochow and Robert Jennings are the other recruits who have made an impact, playing in the forwards and outside backs respectively. They’ve played seven and eight games and found a home at the club.

Tyrell Fuimaono has only played three games but is a rookie with potential and will no doubt have a handy NRL career once he finds his footing.

Rating: C+

TITANS

Recruits: Dan Sarginson, Jarrod Wallace, Kevin Proctor, Paterika Vaivai, Tyler Cornish, Daniel Vidot, Joe Greenwood, Chris Grevsmuhl, Dale Copley

How they’ve fared: All of Gold Coasts’ recruits listed above have played NRL at some stage this year, and most have found regular spots in the team.

Jarrod Wallace has undoubtedly been the surprise packet of the bunch and probably the best value recruit on the list. He’s played 12 games and is in good enough form to be considered for an Origin call-up.

Kevin Proctor was the high-profile recruit and he’s been a disappointment, having missed games through injury early in the season then more through a club-imposed suspension for being busted with cocaine while on Test duty with the Kiwis.

Dale Copley and Chris Grevsmuhl have missed games through injury but have both had an impact, while Dan Sarginson was playing a role in the backline but will probably miss the rest of the season after surgery.

Rating: B+

BRONCOS

Recruits: Moses Pangai, David Mead, Tautau Moga, Benji Marshall, Mitchell Dodds, Korbin Sims

How they’ve fared: Korbin Sims has gone to a new level since leaving Newcastle for Brisbane this year. He’s given the team plenty up the middle and has even been mentioned in Origin calculations for Queensland.

Tautau Moga is the other recruit of note, having played all 13 games and looking every bit an NRL player in the centres.

David Mead has made seven appearances but is still only used as a fill-in player on the bench or outside backs when needed.

Benji Marshall was picked up as a bargain buy and has proven his worth in recent weeks, and will likely earn a contract extension for 2018. While his on-field contribution hasn’t been regular, he no doubt provides an outstanding sounding board and mentor for the younger halves.

Rating: B

RAIDERS

Recruits: Jordan Turner, Dunamis Lui, Makahesi Makatoa, Scott Sorensen, Brent Naden, Dave Taylor, Masivesi Dakuwaqa (mid-season)

How they’ve fared: Dunamis Lui was the best of the bunch but he’s now ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Aside from Lui, Dave Taylor has managed just two games on a minimal contract, while Jordan Turner was sent home before having played a game in the NRL.

Ricky’s recruits have hardly landed a blow.

Rating: F

DRAGONS

Recruits: Josh Kerr, Nene Macdonald, Cameron McInnes, Paul Vaughan

How they’ve fared: Paul McGregor was selective in his recruitment drive for 2017 and it’s paid dividends for the Dragons.

Paul Vaughan and Cameron McInnes have been two of the form players in their respective positions this season. Both were as good as also-rans at their former clubs but have found a new energy since joining the Red V.

They were thrown up as Origin prospects for NSW and Vaughan can consider himself the unluckiest non-selection in the state. He’s been pheromonal.

Nene Macdonald has found a home on the wing and has scored four tries in his 12 games.

Rating: A+

Paul Vaughan of the Dragons. Source: News Corp Australia

COWBOYS

Recruits: Ben Hampton, Shaun Fensom, Carlin Anderson

How they’ve fared: Ben Hampton has come in handy for North Queensland given the injuries to key players that have plagued the club.

He’s come off the bench to fill roles at hooker and in the halves at times over the first half of the season.

Shaun Fensom has only managed seven appearances and isn’t the player he once was at the Raiders.

Rating: D

ROOSTERS

Recruits: Michael Gordon, Luke Keary, Liam Knight, Zane Tetevano, Paul Carter, Mitch Cornish, Brendan Santi

How they’ve fared: Luke Keary is up there with the best buys of the 2017 season. His combination with Mitchell Pearce clicked immediately and has been a big driver behind the club’s form this year.

Michael Gordon hasn’t missed a game for his new club and has done the job Trent Robinson brought him to Bondi for. He won’t get another contract, but he’s been one of their most consistent players and looks like he could go around again.

Zane Tetevano has played 11 games for the Chooks. Paul Carter managed just three before being sacked by the club this week.

Rating: B+

Luke Keary celebrates a try with Mitchell Pearce. Source: News Corp Australia

WARRIORS

Recruits: Kieran Foran, Zac Santo (mid-season)

How they’ve fared: Kieran Foran’s arrival was delayed due to injury but he’s probably been the Warriors’ best player over the nine games he’s played.

The team overall has been disappointing — no surprises there — but individually Foran has been solid.

Santo is yet to play for the club.

Rating: C+

TIGERS

Recruits: Jamal Idris, Matt McIlwrick, Tui Lolohea (mid-season), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (mid-season)

How they’ve fared: Jamal Idris was the big get for the embattled club this year but he managed just five games before a knee injury ended his season.

Matt McIlwrick has been the surprise packet, moving over from Cronulla as a fringe player but cementing himself in the side as a handy option at hooker. With veteran Matt Ballin sidelined, McIlwrick has partnered rookie Jacob Liddle well and proven instrumental.

Tui Lolohea has been thrown straight into the halves to replace Mitchell Moses and he’s yet to prove his spot in the team, having only just arrived. His value will be determined over the coming 13 weeks.

Rating: C-

Tuimoala Lolohea of the Tigers. Source: AAP

PANTHERS

Recruits: James Tamou, Tim Browne, Michael Oldfield, Darren Nicholls, Mitch Rein, Jed Cartwright

How they’ve fared: In one word — disappointing.

James Tamou in particular has failed to find the form he held for so long at North Queensland. He’s lost his Kangaroos and Origin spot and generally hasn’t had the impact Penrith hoped he would.

Mitch Rein hasn’t been able to bump half-turned-hooker Peter Wallace out of his starting role and has only got his chance in first grade due to injury, despite some good form at NSW Cup level. He’s reportedly asking for a release.

Tim Browne has managed seven games but has been nothing more than serviceable.

Rating: D