Player movements are what whets every fan's appetite for a new season and their club's prospects for glory, or at the very least improvement, each year.
While it's often the same clubs who throw their weight around in the player market and recruit the big names, others look towards the second and third tier of talent to build their roster year-to-year – it's often these that prove to be the best buys.
This year saw some marquee signings across the board with players looking to overcome form or injury issues, and generally seeking greener pastures at other clubs.
Throughout the season, Sporting News will be tracking the progress of players at new clubs in 2021 in our Buy of the Year Power Rankings.
NOTE: Players sidelined by a long-term injury, such as Warriors recruit Addin Fonua-Blake, have not been considered in the power rankings. Harry Grant has also not been included because he re-joined the Storm from his loan to the Tigers last year. All statistics courtesy of NRL.com.
#1 Isaiah Papali'i
Last week: #1
Key stats: Six tries, 150 avg run metres, 32 avg tackles, 47 tackle breaks
Continues to light up Parramatta's dominant left edge with his aggression and hard-running playing off Mitch Moses.
Papali'i has been one of the Eels' stand out performers, emerging as one of the competition's most threatening attacking second-rowers since being told he was unwanted by the Warriors last year.
Not many people made much of this signing from Parramatta late last year but they certainly know about it now and with the way it's going, this is proving to be the best value buy of the year by a long stretch.
#2 Daine Laurie
Last week: #3
Key stats: Four tries, 146 avg run metres, five try assists, 53 tackle breaks.
With Fifita only coming back from suspension last week and Laurie's continued performances, the Tigers fullback leaps into second spot.
Laurie gets better every week playing at fullback, and was a standout in their victory over the Dragons last weekeend.
He continues to prove himself as one of the value buys of the year along with the Eels' Isaiah Papali'i, with his evasive footwork and speed since joining the Tigers being a highlight for the club.
Without a doubt the 21-year-old has been on par with Adam Doueihi as Michael Maguire's most important player this year.
#3 David Fifita
Last week: #2
Key stats: Nine tries, 138 avg run metres, 10 linebreaks, 28 offloads
Prior to being rubbed out for a high tackle on Adam Doueihi in round nine, Fifita was on fire for his new side, scoring two hattricks and had crossed nine times in total this season.
Not just his tryscoring ability but his brute strength and unstoppable running game have made Fifita more than a handful for opposition right-side defences.
Is already starting to justify the sum north of $1 million the Gold Coast forked out to lure him away from Brisbane - even if the side's results haven't been fantastic so far.
#4 Jack Bird
Last week: #4
Key stats: One try, five try assists, 119 avg run metres, 40 tackle breaks
Continues to be one of the Dragons' best players each week, despite the side beginning to struggle with injuries and suspensions.
Each week Bird makes huge strides forward playing in the centres. His carries on the edge and aggression in defence have been a really important facet of the Dragons' attack this year.
After two years on the sidelines with repeat ACL injuries, the Dragons are being rewarded for taking a punt on Bird, and it's paying off.
#5 Jai Arrow
Last week: #6
Key stats: 110 avg run metres, 28 avg tackles, 18 tackle breaks, seven offloads
Played 31 minutes off the bench in the Rabbitohs heavy loss to the Panthers, but bounced back with a solid display against the Eels.
A bit like the rest of his side, Arrow himself will be slightly disappointed with some performances recently, but overall he has proven an astute signing for the club.
He started the year tremendously as Wayne Bennett's spark off the bench, but with his role changing to a starting prop now, he will need to lift even more.
#6 Benji Marshall
Last week: #5
Key stats: Three tries, five try assists, eight linebreak assists, two forced dropouts
Wasn't used off the bench by Wayne Bennett as the Rabbitohs slumped to a humiliating 56-18 defeat to Penrith in Dubbo, and only played 22 minutes against the Eels in the victory the following week.
Marshall's role will diminish now that Latrell Mitchell has returned, enabling Cody Walker to shift back to five-eighth. But when called upon the Kiwi veteran has shown flashes of brilliance to prove this to be a master signing by the Rabbitohs given Marshall wasn't wanted at the Tigers.
At 36, Marshall continues to stun those around the competition and is proving he's still got years in those legs.
#7 Reece Walsh
Last week: #8
Key stats: Four tries, 123 avg run metres, eight try assists, six linebreaks, 22 tackle breaks
One of the teenage freaks to take the NRL by storm this year.
Rated as one of the game's best up and coming backline talents, Walsh was snapped up by the Warriors from under the broncos' noses earlier this year and has slotted straight into Nathan Brown's starting side.
In fact, his rise has been so rapid, Brown has been forced to shift Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the wing at times to accommodate Walsh at fullback.
The 18-year-old's speed through the middle and elite support play in combination with Kodi Nikorima and Tuivasa-Sheck has been unstoppable in recent weeks.
One of the many young talents well in contention to be named Rookie of the Year, and will probably continue to rise up this list as well.
#8 Reimis Smith
Last week: #9
Key stats: Seven tries, 88 avg run metres, six linebreaks, 30 tackle breaks
After taking a few weeks to find his feet in the Storm backline, Reimis Smith has really hit his straps and is now a really important part of the side.
Deployed on the wing at his former club the Bulldogs, Smith has been moved into the centres by Craig Bellamy and formed a damaging partnership on the right side with Jahrome Hughes and George Jennings.
His signing at the Storm was heralded as another typical Bellamy special, and Smith's move to the premiers is gradually beginning to bear fruit.
#9 Tino Fa'asuamalueai
Last week: #7
Key stats: One try, 139 avg run metres, 31 avg tackles, 25 tackle breaks
Some would say Fa'asuamaleaui hasn't had quite the impact expected of him in his new colours since arriving from the Melbourne Storm over the off-season, but that may be a by-product of the team's form.
Shifted back to lock, the Queensland Origin star has given his side plenty of go-forward with the ball in recent weeks.
Still a work in progress - as is the entire team for Justin Holbrook - but has the potential to be an excellent long-term buy.
#10 Bryce Cartwright
Last week: #10
Key stats: Three tries, 75 avg run metres, 19 avg tackles, eight offloads
A minor blip on the radar in the Ees' loss to South Sydney, Cartwright has become an important part of the side when coming off the bench.
Cartwright's eye for attack and ability to move the ball on an edge has led to a number of Eels tries this season, which is a huge weapon to carry from the interchange.
After a few poor years on the Gold Coast, Cartwright appears a much happier played under Brad Arthur, who is being aptly rewarded for what was arguably the signing carrying the most risk from the off-season.