Hugh McGahan: Recruit or drift off to obscurity

At the start of the 2005 season I looked at most teams and predicted their performance based on their last two to three years and new recruits.

I thought Brisbane would be top-four material given their proud history but I did not think they would be as dominant as they have been.

Parramatta were going to be the improved performers, purely because of their recruitment, while Melbourne are well coached and have match-winners across the park from Slater and Orford to Hill and Kearns.

The Cowboys were a top-eight team for me but are performing better than expected. I did not feel that Manly would be a top eight contender but I knew they would be competitive. I believe they will falter for the playoffs. The Sharks didn't deserve to be considered and, like Manly, will struggle to stay in contention in the final rounds.

The Roosters have been a big disappointment. They knew Brad Fittler wasn't always going be around but didn't plan for his departure with the respect it deserved. The deal to bring Braith Anasta to the club is proof they misjudged how much Fittler actually meant.

The Dragons are another classy team that sometimes plays to its potential but they will disappoint and finish mid-table.

The Tigers are on the rise but they cannot win a title without some size in the team.

The Bulldogs are feeling the effects of losing Steve Price, a player of the highest order. This team has contended with recruitment worries, with the re-signing of Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Mason and what Anasta was going to do. Their focus has been on outside issues.

The Warriors should be higher up the table with their potential but consistency is a problem. Price must be frustrated by the lack of drive and willingness of some players, especially considering the environment at the Bulldogs. If there's potential, who is responsible for consistency?

The Panthers have been a surprise and the idea recruitment is not needed has again shown its pitfalls - teams need to continue to inject new ingredients into the mix.

The Rabbits and Knights were always going to struggle but luck and injuries have played their part with the Knights. Johns can't do it on his own every week but finances prevent any recruitment.

All the great clubs in the world, like Manchester United or Arsenal, as well as NFL teams, know recruitment and development drives success. . Why do some league clubs think they have no need for it, until they are tracking down or have reached the bottom of the table?

To maintain success you need to maintain the machine with quality and not makeshift parts - makeshift is for short-term survival.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY