Some "Mad Monday" thoughts:
Couldn't help but cringe when Brandy said in commentary yesterday that he feels Anthony Griffin will still play Hunt in the 7 next year. We've looked like an absolute rabble with Hunt in the halves since about the middle of 2019. On a positive note - Jayden Sullivan is ready and we need to give him the best possible chance to succeed, be it as a first or second receiver. In saying this, Hunt won't be going anywhere given he has two years left to run on his deal. But he should start at 9 with Clune at 7 + McInnes in the 13 (and provided JDB is good to go he will be in the props rotation).
It's going to be very difficult to move Norman on early as well. He'll be in Canterbury Cup (and hopefully not stalling the development of anyone else for too long either).
Kerr & Blacker need to rip in and have HUGE off seasons (in fact every forward currently on the books for 2021 does), especially if we are going to be limited in who we bring in from the outside to add some starch in the middle.
Further to the previous point, at the moment I'd be happy to take just ONE of any of the rumored forwards - JO, A Crichton, Welch, McGuire, Eisenhuth, Asiata, etc. Surely it couldn't be that hard for Millward & co to knab someone and surely cap space for one is not going to be an issue? WTF is it that I read about a low ball offer to Welch which was swiftly rejected (what made us think that we were a chance of getting that one over the line - embarrassing no wonder we struggle to recruit)? McGuire has made no secret that he loved the Dragons as kid (not that this would be the only motivation for coming to us)? Common Millward, get the damn job done FFS !!
Most positive of all - I feel we have some depth, and a good blend of youthful experience, in our backline to take us forward. Question mark that remains will be the potential swap of Saab for Garrick, and then the eventual make up of the back five for Round 1 2021. Lomax is the only guaranteed starter at the moment for me, with possibly Garrick as well should the swap deal eventuate. Everyone else is in for a massive off season fight for the rest of the positions.