Going into the 2021 NRL Season, there has been plenty of changes. A whole host of players will be settling into new sides dreaming of success this season and beyond.
Today we’re looking at six NRL signings with a point to prove this season.
Benji Marshall
The 2005 NRL hero for Wests returned in 2018 looking to guide the Tigers back up the table and into the Play-Offs. Despite his best efforts that hasn’t happened. Over the last three years he’s produced some solid performances but they’ve been interspersed with spells out of the side. 2021 sees the former Kiwi test star take on a new challenge at Souths. Despite being 35 he’ll have his eye on a starting jumper and will look to take the Rabbitohs to the Finals and beyond this season.
David Fifita
Big money means big expectation. The 20-year-old is now one of the league’s top earners as he joins Holbrook’s crusade to revitalise the Titans. It’s a bold move given the Titans haven’t ever been a consistent force in the competition but it could be a move that benefits both player and club. He will no doubt back himself to be a key player in the Titans’ rise. Given the Queenslanders’ quality, he may well make the Titans a threat to the top 8.
Kyle Flannagan
Unfortunately, Flannagan’s time at Sydney didn’t go according to plan. Despite being a sublime goalkicker, he was let go off and moved onto Canterbury. As a side who haven’t achieved their ambitions recently, the Bulldogs will be hoping to get themselves heading in the right direction and Flannagan has been identified as the man to do that. He’ll look to revitalise them whilst also showing he’s a top tier half one who the Roosters shouldn’t have let go.
Kieran Foran
From the new Canterbury half to an old one, Kieran Foran is heading back to where it all started in 2021 as he re-joins Manly. He enjoyed immense success there winning the 2011 NRL Grand Final as well as featuring in the decider again two years later. Since leaving Manly, things haven’t gone according to plan so a return may give him the perfect twilight to his career as he looks to prove his quality once more.
Jack Bird
As the Sharks won the Grand Final in 2016, the centre was outstanding. His form even saw him make the jump to Origin. However, a move to Brisbane somewhat stifled his career and now, as he approaches his peak years, another move to St George may prove the perfect refresher as looks to force his way back into Origin contention and rediscover the form that took Cronulla to the Premiership.
Jai Arrow
In recent years, Arrow has been one of the better forwards in the competition and his Queensland appearances have been testament to that. Unfortunately, he’s not boasted the NRL success he would’ve liked. So, for him a move to Souths represents an opportunity for him to fight it out at the top of the table and look to add a Premiership to his already impressive career.