age.s
First Grade
- Messages
- 8,197
The weird thing about the current situation is that it feels like both the entire team needs a refresh and it's hard to pinpoint specifics. We obviously need a damaging back rower (Kikau was never replaced), but other than that it feels like there's too much upside in every position to throw out.
Casey is going awful, but you can see the player there. Martin is not earning his bread atm, but is still a monster player and it'd be a massive call to shift him early. Smith and Henry could be offering more but are still young in prop years. 6 is a weak spot, but we have 2x kids coming through who are both developing and improving. Wing is still a strong position for us, we just don't cover To'o well in our system, similar to Nath. Yeo/Edwards are still guns. Kennys a flawed player but very effective for considering his likely wage profile. Leotas spot seems like one we could do better in, but other than that we're probably better just riding this shit out.
In my view we need:
Damaging back rower. Wish we'd gone hard at Finefuiaki when he became available last year.
Experienced prop. Couldn't have happened (realistically), but a swap of Saifiti for Leota in the off-season would have been ideal. Leota manning up and playing to his potential would work too.
Pantherball winger to challenge the fringe of the squad, preferably a young one. I want to like Milky, he's willing with a fair bit of skill, but he's just not athletic enough to be first grade level winger. He's neither strong enough, nor quick enough to consistently influence the game at this level. He may go ok at center, as he's skilful and seems to read the game ok. I'd like to see Kepaoa get a go if Too isn't back but realistically we go to market for a physical winger who can help bring it out of our end. Skelton would have been a terrific buy in this context.
A better backup half. Schneider sucks.
In short, despite our shitty position, I don't think this squad needs an entire rebuild. Which isn't the worst position to be in.
Casey is going awful, but you can see the player there. Martin is not earning his bread atm, but is still a monster player and it'd be a massive call to shift him early. Smith and Henry could be offering more but are still young in prop years. 6 is a weak spot, but we have 2x kids coming through who are both developing and improving. Wing is still a strong position for us, we just don't cover To'o well in our system, similar to Nath. Yeo/Edwards are still guns. Kennys a flawed player but very effective for considering his likely wage profile. Leotas spot seems like one we could do better in, but other than that we're probably better just riding this shit out.
In my view we need:
Damaging back rower. Wish we'd gone hard at Finefuiaki when he became available last year.
Experienced prop. Couldn't have happened (realistically), but a swap of Saifiti for Leota in the off-season would have been ideal. Leota manning up and playing to his potential would work too.
Pantherball winger to challenge the fringe of the squad, preferably a young one. I want to like Milky, he's willing with a fair bit of skill, but he's just not athletic enough to be first grade level winger. He's neither strong enough, nor quick enough to consistently influence the game at this level. He may go ok at center, as he's skilful and seems to read the game ok. I'd like to see Kepaoa get a go if Too isn't back but realistically we go to market for a physical winger who can help bring it out of our end. Skelton would have been a terrific buy in this context.
A better backup half. Schneider sucks.
In short, despite our shitty position, I don't think this squad needs an entire rebuild. Which isn't the worst position to be in.
