Trading places: 24 names on the move in '24

With the 2024 pre-season about to begin, a host of players are set to embark on a new challenge at a new club.

For some it's about the chance to establish themselves in the NRL, for others it's about a shot at premiership glory.

From Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth leaving the Broncos to join Wayne Bennett's Dolphins, to Aidan Sezer returning to the NRL after a stint in England or Dom Young taking his freakish tryscoring ability to the Tricolours, pan66.com runs the rule over 24 stars on the move in 2024.

Trading Places

Fletcher Baker (Roosters to Broncos)

With 45 NRL games now under his belt, including 15 in 2023, the powerfully built 23-year-old’s arrival at Red Hill helps ease the blow of Tom Flegler’s departure. Will be aiming to play increased minutes and provide Kevin Walters with another forward option off the bench.

Kaeo Weekes (Sea Eagles to Raiders)

With veterans Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton no longer in lime green, a new generation of backline stars will look to guide the Raiders towards their first premiership since 1994. At 21, Weekes is the perfect profile for Canberra, with speed to burn and the ability to cover a variety of positions, most likely in the halves or as a bench utility.

Stephen Crichton (Panthers to Bulldogs)

The ultimate big game player, Crichton brings class, composure and a unique skill set to the Bulldogs. With 56 tries in 100 games for Penrith, including a try in four successive grand finals, the 23-year-old adds strike power to Cameron Ciraldo’s backline and his aerial skills make him the perfect target for Matt Burton’s bombs.

Herbie Farnworth (Broncos to Dolphins)

The Englishman is coming off a breakout season at Brisbane and could prove one of the most astute signings of 2024. Produced 136 tackle breaks, 16 line breaks and 168 run metres per game as the Broncos charged to the grand final and is coming into the prime of his career.

Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers to Sea Eagles)

With the ageless Daly Cherry-Evans calling the shots, Brooks should be able to break the shackles and rediscover his running game. At 28 and with 205 games already to his name, Brooks looks the ideal fit for Manly, with his arrival allowing Josh Schuster to return to the back row.

Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs to Bulldogs)

Thrust into the fullback role for the Bunnies in the 2021 grand final in just his eighth NRL game and handled the occasion well. The 24-year-old can fill a number of positions, with his elusive running making him a danger out of dummy half or chiming in from the back. Another key cog in the Bulldogs' rebuild and looks ready to blossom over the next two seasons.

Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles to Eels)

After 27 games at Wests Tigers and 17 with Manly, Tuilagi joins the Eels to fill the role played so successfully by Isaiah Papali'i in 2021 and '22. The 24-year-old has signed a two-year deal and will benefit greatly from the experience of Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson. The acquisition of J'maine Hopgood proved a huge bonus for Parra in 2023 and they will look for similar impact from the wide-running Tuilagi next season.

Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors to Knights)

A member of England's squad at the 2022 World Cup, the classy back-rower made his Super League debut with Wigan as a 19-year-old. At 196cm and 104kg the Englishman has the size to handle the rigours of the NRL and the skill to make an impact on the edge. 

Jack Wighton (Raiders to Rabbitohs)

The Test and Origin rep brings a hefty 242 games of NRL experience to the table and his combination with Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker is set to ignite the Rabbitohs after a disappointing end to 2023. A powerful ball runner and solid defender, Wighton could make a home in the centres or even in the back row.

Jaeman Salmon (Panthers to Bulldogs)

Yet another premiership-winning Panther making the move to the Dogs and brings with him a selfless attitude and a willingess to do whatever his team needs to be successful. Has two years to establish himself at Belmore in a utility role off the bench or possibly at five-eighth should Cameron Ciraldo decide to shift Matt Burton into the centres.  

Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs to Dragons)

Heads to his fourth NRL club and reunites with father Shane at a club desperately in need of some stability in the halves as they look to climb out of the cellar. With skipper Ben Hunt calling the shots in the No.7, Flanagan will be free to express himself at five-eighth and create opportunities for Zac Lomax, Tyrell Sloan and Mikaele Ravalawa. 

Thomas Flegler (Broncos to Dolphins)

Capped a magnificent season by making his Test debut against the Kiwis and heads to the Dolphins on an absolute high after helping the Broncos to their first decider in eight years. The 24-year-old averaged 109 run metres per game and got through plenty of work in defence and he looks set to thrive under Wayne Bennett's guidance. Closing in on 100 NRL games and entering the prime of his career as a front-rower.

Aidan Sezer (Leeds Rhinos to Wests Tigers)

After steering the Raiders to the 2019 grand final, the veteran playmaker spent four seasons in Super League and now returns to the NRL on a mission to resurrect the Tigers after back-to-back wooden spoons. Sezer brings a stack of experience to the table and provides the steady hand new coach Benji Marshall needs to get his team around the park. 

Dominic Young (Knights to Roosters)

Fast, freakish and fabulous in the air, Young is sure to become a fan favourite with the Roosters faithful. Some of the Englishman's acrobatic dives into the corner defied belief in 2023 as he racked up 25 tries in 25 games. With the likes of James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Joey Manu feeding him the ball in 2024 the tries are sure to continue flowing for dashing Dom.

Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs to Panthers)

At 19 years of age and with 19 games to his credit, Alamoti joins the greatest team of the modern era and gets the chance to run off the game's finest halfback in Nathan Cleary. Back in March, Bulldogs flyer Josh Addo-Carr gave the classy youngster a massive wrap when he said "he's got the potential to be one of the best centres in the world, he’s a wonderful talent". There could be no better club than the three-time premiers for that potential to blossom in 2024.

Jayden Sullivan (Dragons to Wests Tigers)

The loss of Luke Brooks to Manly and the long-term knee injury to Adam Doueihi leaves big holes in the halves at Concord and the gifted Sullivan has been recruited to help fill the void. The 22-year-old will join forces with Aidan Sezer in a new-look scrumbase combination that the club's long-suffering fans will be hoping can unlock Jahream Bula, Starford To'a and Charlie Staines out wide. On his day, Sullivan is capable of tearing defences apart with his flashy footwork and clever kicking game and he looms as a key man in Benji Marshall's game plan.

Josh Curran (Warriors to Bulldogs)

The wholehearted back-rower's work ethic will quickly make him a fan favourite at Belmore. Brought plenty of energy off the bench for the Warriors in 2023 and also showed he was capable of going full throttle for the full 80 minutes when required to start the game. Curran's size and speed make him a handful on an edge and he can also get a job done in the middle if that's where coach Cameron Ciraldo chooses to use him.

Hame Sele (Rabbitohs to Dragons)

The 26-year-old returns to the club where his career started in 2017 and gets the opportunity to nail down a starting spot under new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. Sele averaged 108 run metres and 21 tackles per game in a solid 2023 campaign capped with a Test debut for Tonga against England. Given more responsibility and more game time, Sele looks set to flourish alongside Blake Lawrie, Francis Molo and Jack de Belin in the Dragons pack.

Keenan Palasia (Broncos to Titans)

Palasia was another Broncos forward who came of age in 2023, playing solid minutes off the bench and moving into the starting side at lock and prop when required. Capped his season with two Test match appearances for Samoa in the Pacific Championships and heads to the Titans with renewed confidence that he has what it takes to make an impact at the elite level.

Morgan Smithies (Wigan to Raiders)

Carrying on the Raiders' tradition of bringing the best Super League talent Down Under, 22-year-old Smithies will arrive in the national capital on the back of a Super League grand final victory with Wigan and a call-up to the England team for the third Test against Tonga. Another product of the highly respected Wigan system, Smithies can play lock or second row and gives coach Ricky Stuart another option on the edge. Follows in the footsteps of countrymen Josh Hodgson, John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead, the powerfully built youngster looms as a real X-factor for the Green Machine in 2024.

Jake Averillo (Bulldogs to Dolphins)

Another astute signing by Wayne Bennett as he looks to turn a promising debut season into a maiden finals appearance in 2024. With 31 tries in 78 games, Averillo has proven on many occasions that he can be a dangerous attacking weapon if given any room to move. Herbie Farnworth's move to the Dolphins means Bennett will be spoiled for choice in the outside backs and Averillo knows he'll need to shine in the pre-season to earn a start. The challenge for spots is set to bring out the best in the speedster.

Viliami Vailea (Warriors to Cowboys)

A natural ball runner with a well developed fend and good footwork, Vailea was a highly-rated junior coming through the grades at the Warriors and won the club's Rookie of the Year award in 2022, before slipping down the pecking order in Auckland. But Todd Payten will back himself to get the best out of the 20-year-old centre, who he worked with in his previous stint at the Warriors. In terms of skillset, Vailea is a similar player to departing centre Peta Hiku and could be a fairly seamless replacement in the backline.

Spencer Leniu (Panthers to Roosters)

Already a three-time premiership winner and has established himself as one of the game's premier props. Gave the Panthers huge impact off the bench but is more than capable of starting the game if that's how Trent Robinson chooses to use the 23-year-old. Sure to thrive alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Lindsay Collins in the Roosters' engine room.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Auckland Blues to Warriors)

The prodigal son returns. RTS is one of the Warriors’ all-time favourites and his presence is sure to have the club’s loyal fans pouring through the turnstiles in even greater numbers. The 2019 Golden Boot winner could be an explosive weapon off the bench for Andrew Webster with the ability to break a game open with his dazzling footwork and speed.