The Broncos have made a major decision by standing down Sam Thaiday, but ultimately it is the right decision. Thaiday is a leader of a high calibre, but it looked like the captaincy of such a great club was taking a toll on the big fella. He was always in the refs ear, chirping away which would have been tiring for the prop/second rower and I reckon that the captaincy change will allow him to get back to what he loves - running and tackling hard. The Broncos are blessed with some strong leaders and the decision to appoint Corey Parker and Justin Hodges as co-captains is a sound choice. These two are leaders by example and you could clearly see a change in the mentality of Justin Hodges last season. He is enjoying the opportunity to be a leader and looks to have embraced it. No one will argue with Corey Parker's selection as co-captain. He is a superman and will do the right thing 8/10 times. Don't think of it as Thaiday loosing the captaincy, but more of these three players sharing the heavy leadership responsibility that being a captain of the Brisbane Broncos can bring.

The Sydney Roosters have outlined their desire to rest all of their World Cup players ahead of the World Club Challenge the following weekend. Absolutely nothing wrong with this. Don't think that because the Roosters are doing this, that every other club will follow suit. The Roosters are the champions and with the Club Challenge the weekend after, they are given a pass. Let's remember that James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce didn't play in the World Cup so we should see them teaming up with some very talented youngsters. Do we expect the other top clubs to field slightly weaker teams? Don't expect the big three from Melbourne to make the trip, but besides that there might be the odd top player missing. It will be valuable pre season work for many clubs with players able to smash out some cardio while also getting plenty of contact in. It differs from the trials as well where nothing is on the line, there is plenty at stake in the Nines so it should be good!

It's been a pretty slow week NRL wise, besides the usual "how's your team pre-season going" type of thing, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how each team has gone with regards to recruitment. There are a few buys that have slipped under the radar which are very interesting and could have a large influence on their team in 2014.

Bulldogs

Chase Stanley clearly needs to do some squats. You lift mate?

The Dogs haven't been very active on the player market but have definitely done as well as they could. No one will replace Ben Barba, but by bringing in Chase Stanley, Reni Maitua and Pat O'Hanlon they have defintely added to their squad. We don't know what kinda mind frame Maitua will be in so that will be a work in progress but Stanley is a great buy as he is a very good centre who is still young. O'Hanlon is a lanky second rower who has all the skills and ability but just needs more game time. These guys will all fit in to the Bulldogs system well and are blokes who Des Hasler can get the most out of. Their other signing is young Damien Cook from the Dragons who could be a contender for the fullback spot. Cook played two games for the Dragons last season and was named in the NSW Cup team of the year. He'll have to work pretty hard to get a go in first grade but offers plenty of versatility.

Dragons

The Dragons have been splashing the cash with Gareth Widdop being the main signing. He will be awesome for the Dragons and add a heap of class in the halves. The Dragons raided the Raiders by signing Joel Thompson and Sam Williams who will offer plenty of solid NRL experience while Dylan Farrell is also a great buy. Farrell is coming from the Rabbitohs and expect him to flourish with greater opportunities. Other signings are good young players in prop Matt Groat from the Tigers and back Peter Mata'utia from the Knights, while perennial battler Michael Witt also returns from England. Overall, the Dragons have cleared the decks and brought in some fine players. They have some great youngsters coming through as well so it will be exciting to see how the likes of Widdop and Josh Dugan can combine together.

Roosters

The Roosters have been a bit quiet, only bringing in Remi Casty from France and Heath L'Estrange from Bradford. They have lost quite a few players, but these guys were blokes who were generally on the fringe of first grade so it shouldn't have much of an impact. You would imagine that they wouldn't need to make too many changes to their squad after winning the final last year, but I'm excited to see how the French prop Casty goes in the NRL. Expect him to be similar to Aiden Tolman and James Graham - blokes who get through a tonne of work but also have a few skills.

Broncos

Aaah the Broncos. After a poor season last year, the Broncos are a team to watch in 2014. They have obviously added some much needed x factor with Ben Barba but have also brought in some solid NRL players to provide a bit more depth. Todd Lowrie joins from the Warriors and he'll provide a bit of starch through the middle while big Martin Kennedy from the Roosters could be a great buy. Kennedy will give the Broncs plenty of grunt up front which they also need. Stewart Mills from the Sharks and Daniel Vidot from the Dragons will offer NRL experience, I'm picking Vidot to add greater value than Mills but the depth thing is the key. Also, they've sneered a cheeky bonus in signing Marmin Barba, Ben's younger bro. Marmin has spent recent times at the Eels and Titans and could be a dynamic player for the Broncos when he's given a go.

Eels

What to make of the Eels? They were a shambles last year and wilted under the pressure. They have however, been smart in the player market - which was probably the work of Ricky Stuart, but most of the players could have backed away from their contract when Stuart left but chose not to. William Hopoate returns and will be a beast. Nuff said. Notable players they've signed are Nathan Peats and Justin Hunt from the Rabbitohs and Corey Norman from the Broncos. Peats and Hunt will bring a great attitude and offer some experience in their positions. Norman hasn't convinced me of his talents yet, but he was a wanted man so I'll reserve judgement until he has settled in with the Eels. He will offer some stability for Chris Sandow and could form a dangerous combo with Sandow and Jarryd Hayne. The also welcome forwards Lee Mossop from Wigan and David Gower from teh Sea Eagles in who will toughen up their forward pack. Liam Foran also joins the Eels from Salford and it will be interesting to see if he can establish himself in first grade.

Panthers

The Panthers are building towards a dynasty and are trying to establish a solid platform before letting their local talent come through. They've done a pretty good job so far but they still scream "BATTLERS!" to men. They have brought in Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward who could find a new lease of life or they could just continue on ther career plateau. Brent Kite is a solid buy as he will offer some much needed experience up front, but he isn't going to have a major impact on their season. Elijah Taylor is another solid buy who could flourish under Ivan Cleary but again, his impact won't be of any great size. Kevin Naiqama and Tyrone Peachy are the big buys for me. Naiqama relished the opportunity to perform on the world stage at the World Cup and will be a go to man for the Panthers. Peachey was a wanted man as he left the Sharks and for good reason. He has it all. He's tough, skillful and is a natural footballer. The Panthers will be mediocre this season - hovering around the 8, but from next season onwards expect them to reap the rewards of their hard work. Oh and there's Jamal Idris, the only way is up for that guy.

Cowboys

The Cowboys will start a new era this season and have make some smart acquisitions. Most notably - Lachlan Coote who looks likely to be a straight swap for Matt Bowen but could find himself in the halves. Coote is no Bowen but is solid and could find a new lease of life up in Townsville. Cameron King also joins the Cowboys from the Dragons which is a bit weird. The Cows have plenty of depth at hooker with Ray Thompson and Anthony Mitchell having done well last season. Their other signing Hezron Murgha will provide plenty of competition for Coote at fullback and could be a sneaky buy. Coming in from the Northern Pride, Murgha was their leading try scorer and here's what he is capable off

Storm

Not much to report here besides big Georgie Rose making the move south and Travis Robinson shifting from the Panthers. Hymel Hunt also joins the Storm from the Titans and these buys all appear to be typical Craig Bellamy buys. He'll mould them in to fine first graders and get the most out of them.

Titans

The Titans have made some solid buys, but none that will be sending fear in to their opposition. For Jamal Idris they got Brad Tighe who is a solid first grader which could come in handy especially as Storm recruit Maurice Blair has been battling the law recently. Siuatonga Likiliki makes the move north from Newcastle in search of an opportunity and we're all hoping he gets a run. Warriors fans will know what he is capable of and the quicker he can get himself in to first grade the better. Disgruntled former Cowboy Kalifa Faifai Loa also joins the Titans and will add to their exciting back line. The Titans didn't really need to bring in many players and have the joy of a settled squad.

Tigers

Much like the Eels, I reckon the Tigers will make amends for their recent performances. They've scored Pat Richards from the Super League as well as bringing back Dene Halatau from the Dogs. Another interesting buy from the Doggies is Martin Taupau who is a beast of a front rower and could have a break out year with the Tigers. Blake Austin joins the Tigers from Penrith and will offer versatility in the halves and is yet to fulfill his potential. Keith Lulia and Cory Paterson return from England and offer experience and NRL know how while the mystery man Yileen Gordon looks to have got his life sorted out and joins from NSW Cup side Newton. The Tigers have had a bit of a clear out and have been very smart in market, pretty excited to see how they go.

Sharks

I don't think the Sharks would have excited anyone with their buys this season. Blake Ayshford is a solid centre who could turn in to a fantastic player but hasn't really done anything of great note. Matt Prior is the ultimate battler and will fill in where he is needed, he will be a solid role player. Eric Grothe returns to the game so who knows how he will go. They have bolstered their forward stocks with a bit more muscle with Tinirau Arona joining from the Roosters and Siosaia Vave trecking north from the Storm. Don't expect any major impact from these guys however and for me, the Sharks need more players with a bit of x factor.

Raiders

Ricky Stuart will have his work cut out for him in Canberra. They have only brought in forwards Lagi Setu from Melbourne and Kyle O'Donnell from Penrith while also bringing hooker Kurt Baptise down from Brisbane. It's hard to see them making any great improvements on last season and when they say goodbye to Anthony Milford, the down hill slope will continue. Poor fellas.

Sea Eagles

Wonder what Geoff Toovey can do with Cheyse Blair?

Another team who has been very sly in their dealings. The Sea Eagles haven't made any major signings but have got what they needed and added to their squad. Cheyse Blair is a young centre from the Eels with plenty of promise and they also sneered Jayden Hodges from the Cowboys as a back up to Matt Ballin. Two good young players who could flourish in the Manly system. The Sea Eagles never have the biggest, baddest front row but they have again done a fine job in recruiting some solid props who will lay a good platform. Dunamis Lui makes the move from Brisbane while young gun Josh Starling is an old school prop from the Bunnies.

Warriors

Sleep on the Warriors at your peril. The addition of Chad Townsend will help greatly as he will either provide competition for the halves or do a fine job at 6 himself. Townsend was the halfback of the year in the NSW Cup and I'm excited to see how he will fit in. Of course there is also Sam Tomkins who will add world class ability to the Aucklanders. I'm picking him at fullback which will allow him to chime in where he pleases and put his imprint on the game. Jayson Bukuya is a hard running second rower who will be more effective than Elijah Taylor and become a target on the edge. There is always a bit of uncertainty with the Warriors but I think they are slowly getting the right pieces in place.

Rabbitohs

The Rabbitohs unfortunately lost many players from their squad last year and haven't replaced them with much. They brought Joel Reddy across from the Tigers who will do a fine job out wide and fulfill the Matt King role, but expect him to play a lot more. They've brought in a few solid forwards with young Chris Grevsmuhl coming down from the Cowboys and unwanted Raider Joe Picker also making the move. Don't worry Bunnies fans, the Rabbitohs only need role players who can add a bit to the mix and let their superstars work their magic.

Knights

The recruitment drive from the Knights is about as exciting as the Knights themselves. The got Russell Packer but that deal went south pretty quickly. They've brought Clint Newton in from the Panthers and he will battle away on the edge and Michael Dobson comes from the Super League to add depths in the halves. Boooooooring.