Looking forward, we've got quite a health looking squad.
According to stats kept at by the guys at Rugby League Project (who post here at LU), we used 32 players this season - of those at least 8 won't be with us in 2012, and the club has recruited well to some weak positions.
Kearney having blooded youngsters means we'll have a lot of depth and experience across the park next year. I'm impressed by how many multiple positions our guys can now (confidently) cover if needed, and we should certainly give the top 8 a shake....
How do you reckon we'll shape up?
1. Hayne - Kearney's said he's leaving Jarryd at fullback, hopefully that gives him the confidence to focus on all aspects of his fullback game.
2. Burt - still our first choice winger, can also cover for Hayne at fullback and also step into the halves during a match in case of injury. Potentially a captain too if Hindy starts having more time subbed off the field.
3. Morgan/E Tonga - Morgan has grown well this year, can shift back to wing during a match if injuries require. Will be in competition with Esi Tonga for the spot, and its healthy to have cover.
4. W Tonga - welcome back Willie, a great addition in our weakest spot. Some people will push for Loko in the backline, but I think a further season of refinement in NYC (with occasional first grade appearances to cover injury) will do Loko the world of long-term good.
5. E Tonga/Morgan - The only potential weak spot imo, and should come down to whoever does the best in the off-season out of Ken Sio, Morgan, Esi Tonga, and I guess Atkins?
6. Ben Roberts - having recruited Roberts to cover a weak spot, I can't see Kearney starting the year with anyone else at five-eighth? Potentially Burt, Maguire, Maitua and maybe Mortimer might also be able to fill-in.
7. Sandow - an organising half, so long as we can get the defensive structure right, and the attacking combos gel in the off-season, this should be a major boost. Burt, Maguire and maybe Mortimer as injury cover if needed.
8. Moimoi - a beast, played more minutes than before this year, and still didn't run out of petrol.
9. Keating - has shown he can go 80mins, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Kearney use Maguire on occasion here in what was the preferred position at the start of the year.
10. Mannah - still developing, but had some good experience of Origin this year to build on next year.
11. Hindmarsh - his defence just keeps keeping on, has an offload game that wasn't really utilised in the structure this year. Would expect to see him taking a break during (rather than at the end) of games next year - we certainly have the back row depth.
12. Lasalo - still developing, and some might hesitate at him being first choice backrow, but I can't ignore that Kearney chose him as a starter in every single game this year, even when he had other options. I expect he'll stay in Kearney's plans. I expect to see a pretty even three way second row rotation with Horo next year.
13. Smith - returning to the preferred position from the start of this year, can tackle for 80mins, or might feature in a rotation to allow Maitua more game time when points are needed.
14. Maitua/Maguire - Kearney will have the ability to give anyone a one week rest during the season, to recover from injuries etc, and can choose which of these guys goes into the starting side and who he selects in this bench position week to week.
15. Horo - for an even share of minutes in the back row rotation with Hindy and Lasalo, or even for a break for Ben Smith or Maitua, or even into the centres during a game if injruy requires.
16. Allgood - our rookie of the year imo, still developing, but going great as an interchange prop.
17. Shackleton/Poore - coach's choice between these two for second interchange prop. Hard to judge Poore due to injuries, and Shack has done OK in the role this year after injuries the year before. The extra first grade standard prop allows Kearney to give any of the props a one week break and we've got it covered.
18. Poore/Shackleton - as above
19. Maguire/Maitua - as above
Players also mentioned above:
20. Sio
21. Loko - still eligible for NYC!
22. Atkins - assuming he is still under contract?
23. Mortimer - assuming he is still under contract?
24 - O'Hanlon - we've got backrowers coming out of our arse, so despite the taste of first grade POH got this year, I can't see him getting much game time next season. So another year of development at Wenty, and can be called upon to fill injury gaps.
Other new signings who should feature:
25 - Tautai - I have trouble working out how Kearney wants to use Tautai on his return next year. He seems to have transitioned from a back/centre to a back rower/forward this season, so I'm reliably informed he isn't in the mix for that weak spot of second winger. Maybe he's meant to take Lasalo's place in the back row, allowing Lasalo a year of further development at Wenty, along with Loko?
26 - Jake Mullaney - don't know much about this signing... NSW Cup fullback or five-eighth, possibly intended to take Humble's squad spot?
Fringe guys that got a small taste of firsts this year:
27 - Rory Brien - useful kid, turns 20 so a year of development ahead at Wenty.
28 - Joseph Paulo - Wenty, assuming he is still under contract?
Other fringe squad players announced as re-signed during 2011:
29 - Marmin Barba - will be too old for NYC next year, so will have to make a fist of it in Wenty, with potential for a call-up/taste of firsts at some stage of the season.
30 - Peni Terepo - too old for NYC next year, so the prop will have to make a fist of it at Wenty and might get a one-off taste of firsts at some point.
Fringe squad players with first grade experience not yet announced as re-signed for 2012:
?? - Pele Peletelese - believed not to be under contract in 2012
?? - Karlos Filiga - believed not to be under contract in 2012
XX - Etu Uaisele - believed to have had a one year offer, but decided on going to Penrith in 2012
XX - Tom Humble - signed with Tigers for 2012
XX - Manase Manuokafoa - won Wenty players' player award, signed with Bradford for 2012
Other rumoured signings from the Rumours thread, not yet confirnmed (as at 16 Oct 2011):
Willie Mataka (Roosters, second row)
Daniel Penese (Dragons, second row)
Nathan Smith (Bulldogs, lock/hooker)
Jason Seage (rugby union sevens?, halves)
Luke Vescio (Manly, hooker)
That's a lot of depth! If Kearney doesn't steer this side into the top 8 next year, then there is something wrong. But after a shocker of a season in 2011, I reckon things are looking up for the Eels!
Have a great off-season everyone, thanks for all the discussions and debates, and see you all around next year!
