Don't underestimate the enormity of the job Ando has to do.
Besides the fact that we aren't the Roosters, he has to negotiate a mine field of leeches (sometimes referred to as player managers) who (a) try to sell their broken down hack looking for a retirement package, and (b) use us a a bargaining chip to inflate a price (or tpa, or some other form of compensation)
We currently have 4/5 spots open for '26. As many on here have said we need:
1. A half-back
2. An Alpha prop
3. A fast outside back
Others have also thrown in (4) a fullback
There's a fair bit of player movement going on atm. A lot of names being thrown around. However, are they really, truly what we need to improve our squad?
I say an emphatic no.
Throw in the Bears and the (possible) Rugby360 comp, and we are going to struggle to sign anyone of the 3 required positional players we want. This is why we are still 'holding on' to re-signing Klem, when normally it would be thanks, have a nice retirement.
Yeah, the goal posts keep moving, from '26 now to '27. But, in retrospect so does the landscape, example being the paragraph above, where these even a thing at the start of the '25 season?
There's also the fine balance of juniors v roadblocks. Like Reed. When do we introduce him to 1st grade. I read a lot of comments like "he's not ready' or "he needs time in Cup against men". Well he's turning 20 next year. Walker debut for the Roosters at 19. So, how long do we keep them in cotton wool? Seems also we have another gun half coming through in Ah Kee, again how long do we try to hide them before they are poached by Gould or some other smart operator.
Who was it that famously said "if they're good enough, they're old enough!"
In conclusion, I would say:
1. Halfback- unlikely
2. Alpha prop - like who?????
3. Outside back - probably our best shot
4. Fullback- unlikely
More deadwood will be moved on next year and that's why '27 is now the target year, both for the Club and for the future of the coach.