The reports that souths are after Dom Young got me thinking about our own wingers and whether we should make a play, to which I thought "no we need to invest in our forwards more", which we do. But then I thought about it again and thought we do still need to invest in our backs, especially given the uncertainty around Ramsey.
I really like Young as a player and he's off contract at the end of 2023. He's been in contact with Souths and also up in queensland talking to clubs, so a move for him is definitely on the cards. Massive season with Newcastle last year and will probably only get better from here on out. The man is a genetic freak, about 2 metres tall, 107kg, and yet still very quick and athletic.
For mine, as unpopular as it might be, I think Young would be ideal for our team at the expense of Ravalawa. Reason being, I think he possesses what Ravalawa has in size and strength which will help us coming out of our own end in the same way, but also possesses what Ravalawa lacks. Young has speed to burn, is very tall which adds another aerial threat, is 4 years younger than Rava and is still also good at finishing in the corner. He's quite athletic and can dive well for the corner in tight scenarios. Ravalawa's injuries have held him back and I think it's a risk to rely on him so heavily given this, especially considering how bad his recent hamstring issues have been. I think Mat Feagai has also been exceptional and is progressing really well, I wouldn't even consider dropping him. I think we need to be a bit more ruthless, just like the best teams are. Rava is so loveable and a fan favourite, but does that make him the best option on the wing? Perhaps there are better options and you've got to go after them, especially when that better option is probably going to command a pretty similar price.
The other reason I think this is a really good signing for us is that our wing depth is deceptively thin. Max Fegai in my opinion is an out and out centre, who has been touted as a possible replacement on the wing if injuries hit. Sure, he can play there, but I think his body shape doesn't really suit the wing and he's 100% a centre. Tautau Moga I think is the same. So without Ramsey, we essentially do not have more than two wingers in the squad, and one of them prefers playing centre anyway. Then there's Lobb, but he probably isn't ready for week to week NRL, which could potentially be what is demanded of one of our back ups in the case of a serious injury. In an ideal world, I'd love to re-sign Rava and sign up Dom Young. Rava would be a fantastic back up winger option in this scenario, someone ready made to step in and do a more than decent job. Obviously, this might not be possible given Rava is free to leave at the end of the year, but imagine having Feagai, Young and Rava all competing for wing spots in 2024, with Lobb having only improved with another pre season under his belt (and possibly a little NRL experience from 2023?) If Rava can't be re-signed as well, don't forget about Ramsey (hope he's doing well and will be fit and firing by that time).
Anyway, I feel like Young adds another dimension to our team that we don't have being speed out wide. He's just about as good at bringing the ball out of his own end as well despite being four years younger. Also adds another threat in the air and is a good finisher. Would also be good for succession planning in my opinion. Maybe once the end of 2024 comes around, we don't want to re-sign Suli for example because he's too expensive (the reported figure we got him for was way overs), so then maybe you move Mat Feagai to his preferred centre position having gained a few years experience in first grade on the wing and bring Lobb in on the left flank. Or, maybe you opt to leave Mat on the wing and bring Max into the vacant centre spot. Options aplenty, and saves you heaps of money to then invest further in forwards or upgrading juniors who may have impressed tremendously by that time.
I accept this is extremely unlikely, but would love it to happen.
