For me the biggest difference between Sloan and the top fullbacks is the way the top fullbacks organize their backline in defense. We are stripped for numbers all the time and have no answer to opposition backlines because of this.
I'm confident that Flanno is aware of this and will make the necessary adjustments. What pleases me most at the moment is that it appears to me that Flanno realizes the team was not fit enough and has changed his staff in an effort to take care of this.
Some of the players Flanno is rumored to be interested in signing will fall into line once he does land a top prop or two. But the secret to him being successful will be the offloading of Hunt at no expense to the Dragons.
As far as attracting the right players to join the Club, the situation is what it is we have made so many bad choices in the past and, mainly because of this, it will take a huge effort to right the ship.
Fullback
From my point of view, Sloan is not ready to occupy our fullback position mainly because of his lack of experience in organizing his backline and his reluctance to put his body on the line in defense.
Suali is my preferred choice followed by Holmes.
Wingers
I am sure we have wingers within the Club that Flanno can work with in the off-season to do an adequate job. I do not believe he will recruit a winger.
Centers
If Flanno recruits a fullback, you can be sure that Lomax will occupy the right center position and I think Suli can be trained and made fit enough to do the job on the left. The defensive problems on our left were caused by mistakes made inside of left-center and that really needs to be addressed in the off-season.
Lomax and Suli are first-grade centers that can do a much better job in 2024 if made fit and given some guidance in attack and defense.
Five-eighth
This is where it gets tricky as it will need a situation whereby Hunt moves on to free up cap space to recruit a new five-eighth. If Amone is available, Flanno could go with him shower like Sloan, I believe he is not ready at this time in his career. He may surprise all by being available and improving out of sight in the off-season under Flanno's tutorage.
Amone if available and if he can be prepared well enough during the off-season. Unless of course, Flanno has a good five-eighth in mind.
Halfback
I am tipping Hunt to move on at no cost to the Dragons which will free up about 900k of cap space. Flanno recruited his son Kyle and so, if he scrubs up in the off-season, I'm sure he will get the first chance at halfback.
K Flannagan will be our halfback.
Props
'There is no doubt in my mind that two new props are Flanno's priority and at this stage, we do not know who they are.
Two New Props from the ESL will be Flanno's recruitment target.
Hooker
There is some talk about Jayden Brailey from Newcastle being chased to fill the hooker position. After watching Liddle do the job in 2023, I do believe we need an upgrade. Liddle can fill the role. there are not many other decent hookers on the market however we may be surprised mid-season to see one of our young juniors push for selection. hunt is reluctant to play for the club in this position.
Jayden Brailey would be my preferred hooker.
Edge Forwards
Su'a is hands down our best edge forward and will retain the job on the right edge. However, the left edge is up for grabs and I'm tipping R Couchman to win selection for this position.
R Couchman and Su'A will be our edge forwards in 2024
Lock
In my opinion, De Belin is still by far our best option for the lock position and the only way I see him not being our lock is if we are short of options at prop so he is moved to the prop position.
De Belin should be our lock in 2024.