I get why Souths made the decision but I would be stunned if one of their juniors simply stepped in and made it a faultless transition, it takes years for them to develop into that sort of player.
We haven't had a top tier game organizer since Lockyer retired.
Not exactly correct. They tried Brodie Croft, Ryley Jacks and Scott Drinkwater as well as Hughes in 2018 before Hughes became the regular half the following year.For all this talk of it taking 10 years to replace a champion halfback, Jahrome Hughes replaced Cronk without skipping a beat.
Not exactly correct. They tried Brodie Croft, Ryley Jacks and Scott Drinkwater as well as Hughes in 2018 before Hughes became the regular half the following year.
When it comes to filling holes Storm are an outlier. No one comes close really.I think Souths management think the culture and structures there are good enough to do what Melbourne do.
For all this talk of it taking 10 years to replace a champion halfback, Jahrome Hughes replaced Cronk without skipping a beat.
Souths haven’t missed Inglis, they haven’t missed Burgess(or George for that matter).
Maybe Souths are good enough to get away with it. But I think without Bennett it’s a much bigger gamble.
So, yeah. Turns out it was a great move for all involved.We were a top 4 side and have lost top talent like Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton, George Burgess, Luke Keary, Angus Crichton, Issac Luke, etc - and have remained a top 4 side.
We have lost plenty of other first graders now at other clubs like Adam Doueihi, Cam McInnes, Api Koroisau, Corey Allan, Nathan Brown, Hymel Hunt, Jack Gosiewski, Sifa Talakai, Tyrell Fuimaono, Mawene Hiroti, Connor Tracey, Tom Amone, Bailey Sironen, etc.
We have brought through from our juniors guys like Cameron Murray, Keaon Koloamatangi, Campbell Graham, Alex Johnston. Guys no-one but Souths fans have heard of.
We have made astute lower-grade signings like Damien Cook, Cody Walker, Tevita Tatola, Taane Milne, Hame Sele, etc and seen them improve.
We have picked up some top-tier signings as required like Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow or Benji Marshall.
The next generation of Blake Taaffe, Lachlan Ilias, Peter Mamouzelos, Davvy Moale, Jaxson Paulo have all made their NRL debuts and shown plenty.
Reyno is a loss, no doubt. As a half he's of vital importance, and as I said, I would have kept him longer. But the good clubs manage these transitions just fine.
Ilias has played beyond expectations and has rapidly gotten better with each game. I am someone who was furious with us losing Reynolds and I am happy to be proven wrong.
Reynolds will forever be a club legend as a premiership winning halfback. But now Ilias could also become a cornerstone of our spine for the next 10 years. Not many clubs can transition from one long term successful halfback to another, but so far it is looking good for us.
Did you even read the first paragraph you quoted? I admitted in that post I was furious then and I am very glad I have been proven wrongRabbits fans are fickle, I reckon I could find a post from even you calling for blood early in the season.
Did you even read the first paragraph you quoted? I admitted in that post I was furious then and I am very glad I have been proven wrong