Not too impressed with the signings for next year.. Ben Matulino and Russell Packer should form an interesting partnership in the front row, will be interesting to see what they do with Reynolds maybe play him at hooker starting 17 could be.I am not going into a long winded rap of the year but at the end of 2016 although we just missed the 8 I was pretty negative about our chance in 2017, based on what we produced at the end of the season in a few games we had to win. Funny enough this year is a total different feeling. I think since Cleary took over we have shown enamours improvement and although we did not win a lot of games we were in the contest and competing.
When you look at our team on paper it was made up of reserve graders, rookies,journey men and a couple of SOO class players. Cleary had them punching miles above their weight. So next year with the influx of a lot of hard headed pros and some young talent its very hard not to be excited.
Of course the trick will be introducing so many new players to a new system. Most clubs really struggle for a year when they have a lot of new recruits but I am confident Cleary will handle the challenge.
Second year syndrome could also be a challenge for some of our youngsters and I also some of our current team are going to find themselves in reserve grade next year and will they be able to keep the motivation going waiting for a break.
Anyway basically I feel 100% more positive now than I did this time last year, okay I don't think we will win the comp in 2018 but I think we are going to set a great platform for the future
We desperately need someone like Gamble to shine & take ownership of the halfback position coz Brooks isn't capable & belongs in state cup.Hence no other team has a void for a classy player like Moylan who can play in a no. of positions in the spine than us !For fear of being banned I won't suggest Reynolds as hooker but ever since I first heard it mentioned it has got me thinking. He is a classic organizer and isn't that what a number 9 is? ( I feel like I'm skating on thin ice saying that.)
I better change the subject before I'm thrown out.
I'm tipping Gamble at halfback around mid season.
For fear of being banned I won't suggest Reynolds as hooker but ever since I first heard it mentioned it has got me thinking. He is a classic organizer and isn't that what a number 9 is? ( I feel like I'm skating on thin ice saying that.)
I better change the subject before I'm thrown out.
I'm tipping Gamble at halfback around mid season.
I agree only if Benji steers clear of the palace hotel Mortlake & devotes himself to making season '18 a dignified Swansong @ tigertown.However my strong hunch is he will succumb to the temptations on offer re old habits & will revert to the lazy useless Benji of his final 2 yrs('12 & '13) with us !!Brooks might turn into that key playmaker but truthfully I think our best half on our roster for next season is Benji.
I get why people are saying it. But we haven't spent $700-$800kpa to play a guy in a position he hasn't played for 7 years
Let's call it - The Sheens Legacy.Agree. This whole Reynolds to Hooker nonsense needs to stop.
He would be great. He has a kicking game aswell. Such a bonus takes pressure off halves.Would Jake Friend solve all our supposed spine problems?
He’s a heck of a lot better than our current 9’s but he won’t solve our spine issues coz we don’t have a quality playmaker in the halves.Would Jake Friend solve all our supposed spine problems?
The draw looks great I think.....We lack leaders in the spine and he would definitely help. I hope we chase him if he becomes available to help Reynolds out
Imo if you want to be successful you can only afford to carry 1 maybe 2 max rookies in your spine. We have 3 as it stands
Unless IC is a miracle worker we have Buckley’s of making the 8 with the most pathetic spine in the NRL !!Like I said when he signed,if they are relying on Benji to be a permanent stater in the halves, then something has gone seriously wrong and they will be in wooden spoon contention again...
Looking at some of the players they have signed to long term deals -Mataulino, Reynolds, McQueen.., these blokes will be at their best next year and will keep getting rapidly older after that, so I'm thinking that next year this team really needs to stand up and break through to the Top 8...