While the likes of Gareth Widdop, Jamie Soward and Sam Tomkins have been standout recruits, who has been the best “bargain” buys thus far this season?
ELIJAH TAYLOR (PENRITH PANTHERS)Despite being a Kiwi Test player, whatever the Panthers outlaid for the young back-rower has been money very well spent and a great investment for the future. There is real energy in his performances and he pays great attention to the little areas of the game, which means that some of his most important efforts can be easily overlooked.
JOSH STARLING (MANLY SEA EAGLES)The departures of Brent Kite, George Rose, Richie Fa’aoso and Joe Galuvao had left the club somewhat “skinny” upfront. Josh has played all 20 matches and been very effective in carting the ball forward to allow Cherry-Evans and Foran to do their stuff.
DAVID GOWER (PARRAMATTA EELS)I had been mightily impressed by Gower this season well before he threw the peach of a pass for Jarryd Hayne to score off against the Raiders in Darwin. There is much more to his game than meets the eye, with good footwork at the line and a nice off-load.
MIKE COOPER (ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS)As an English forward in the NRL it is easy to be overshadowed by the likes of the Burgess boys and James Graham but the Dragons prop has steadily emerged as a force in his own right.
BEN ROBERTS (MELBOURNE STORM)The genius of Craig Bellamy placed Ben in a structured line-up with a defined role. Playing alongside the “big three” certainly helps but also carries plenty of pressure that he’s handled well.
BLAKE AUSTIN (WESTS TIGERS)The former Penrith whizkid has been something of a Mr. Fixit for the Tigers and has occupied any number of different positions during their injury-riddled season.
Read more at the Daily TelegraphMore:
http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/best-bargain-buys-of-the-2014-14590/
Topic: Best bargain buys of the 2014
