Issue #1 I see is backs depth. Iku was a tremendous purchase but went down for us at the worst possible time - I still think he gets that ball down at HT vs the Cowboys. Ronnie and Katoa have not finished a season together in the last two years. Talakai was a blessing at centre but if he did not step up we have a tremendous hole that we can't fill if he or Raimen is out. Imagine Sifa not breaking out vs Manly, Tracey would likely have been our starting centre most of the year. We need an out and out centre backing up our top 2 options. Someone like an Opacic, Momirovski type player who can step in do a job on the weeks required then get back out of the 17 like Iku can do on the wing while not chewing up cap space. Tracey should not be the first option for a position he is not a specialist in no matter how fit he is and how hard he goes. I can't see any centres in our lower grades. I can see some wingers and obviously fullbacks but we need to go to market here.
Issue #2 Small ball. Against the lower teams BHU, Toby etc can get a roll on and get us on the front food after the backs start us well. The issue we have is we have 3 players who fit into two positions in Dale, Cam and Wade. None are huge metre eaters and often we found Cam playing as a prop which is not ideal. Kafusi is a big upgrade on Fifita playing wise however we still need to find someone who has that go forward punch. Williams back helps but again not a big body.
Issue #3 Creativity. We had so much ball inside Souths 20 for example and unless it was a kick for Ronnie on a half we did not look like scoring. Brailey is often never noticed and is better than being a tackling machine. Moylan did not fire any shots in the moments we needed him. Nicho will fight to the death but when the other guys are not helping he over plays his hand trying to do everything. Also I thought our kicking game the last two weeks really dropped off.
This team made me feel something I haven't since 2016. 2017? I was still recovering. 2018-2019, fun but never really felt it. Covid ball was like touch footy and the obsession with ruck speed did my head in as it wasn't footy. The game felt more normal and we played it tough for the most part. Shark park was as fun as ever. The boys were so close off the field and every player who stayed was celebrated by them, every moment/try etc was reposted by another player.
We are losing two bench props and some bit pieces but have gained a lot of experience and pain. Other good sides like the Storm, Eels, Panthers are losing a number of players. I'm excited for 2023 and can't wait to see how we try and fix some of these issues.
Good perspectives.
On issue 1 - There seems to be a plan for Iro. Whether he has it or not will only be seen when he steps up into NRL level. What he has shown in NSW Cup is a willingness to take carries and make yards. This is critical in the Sharks system. He has physicality but might lack polish. I don't know if Talakai at centre is going to be a medium term solution. He had a purple patch of attacking brilliance for a few games and then become more of a battering ram out of our end which did with good effect. Agree that Tracey is not an answer as a starting centre.
Issue 2 - completely agree. Couldn't handle big aggressive packs who offload (Raiders, Easts etc). Need more size and authority in the middle. BHU and Royce have the physical attributes but not sure they are ready to lead and deliver consistently. Dale can't be the battering ram as he won't last. Hopefully, Williams comes back strongly but he doesn't have the size. As well as we went, I just didn't sense the wary respect that the tough packs have.
Issue 3 - again on point. The spine needed to be giving more when it counted. Moylan had a good season but he is not going to be any better over the next 2 years. Kennedy has a nice passing game but has real deficiencies that haven't developed enough to make him a well rounded player. Hopefully, Dykes becomes a breakout player. He will need a huge offseason physically and mentally to handle NRL consistently. Brailey is an enigma. He showed a lot of skill coming through but plays at NRL level as a tackler with good DH service. His running lacks aggression. Doesn't kick much. He is super durable but needs to find another level. Hynes did well for first year at 7 but everything comes off him and he can meander then look for massive plays. He backs himself, which is great because the team overall really lacks the aggressive mindset needed.
Fitz has built a strong team. No standout superstars, but a galvanised team who work hard for each other. Beating the Warriors with 12 (11 for 10 mins) showed great heart and commitment. They are definitely a team worth supporting because they give.
This is a strong foundation to build from but there are some missing ingredients needed to take the next step.
