Storm will team teams apart ? Not so sure about that, they've lost a fair few players this year. Granted they've still got some excellent players but think it's a bit presumptuous to think they'll be tearing teams apart.
And also bad take on Dykes, he is absolutely a full back. Has been a full back all his juniors, so no need to start looking for a FB - we have it. Will he move to 5/8th - yeah maybe one day but he's not ready for that. His speed and support play around the middle will make him a really good attacking weapon at FB. Also being pretty young I think it's better physicallly he start at fullback.
We also have Siteni Taukamo, very very promising junior the club has locked up till 2025 or something. Should be playing Flegg next year and will join the full time squad this year. That's not to say he has what it takes but the club has two very legit options outside Kennedy before they start looking outside - unless a no brainer option becomes available then you'd be silly not to look at it.
We might see Dykes move to 5/8th in a few years and Taukamo goes to Fullback but defn getting ahead of myself there.
Let's talk 2023
TLDR: 2023 will see us competing for top 6 imo, injuries and how players improve from this year will determine if Top 4 is an option. I hope our finals exit will create some more steel and hunger in the squad, motivate them to do better in the finals. I think the squad is just missing a strike player or two, which we may not see till 2024. I hope we're busy Nov 1.
I think everyone, including me is finding it hard it seperate our finals series with our regular series and yeah you shouldn't in some ways but I think also you need to do it too. To get in a position like we were this year we need a good regular series.
Is 2023 our year, hmm, I think we'll have another good year but can't speak on if it's "our year" think we're still just missing something, whether it's fixing our left, more X factor in the back or in the forwards. A big bastard of a prop to be our enforcer.
There's a few things I think that will ensure we still have a good year.
Defense - yeah yeah I know we choked in the finals, but we had the 3rd best D in the comp, would have been second if we didn't let in a few soft tries to the Knights. That won't change, in fact I expect our defence to get better now the team has had a second off season to learn the systems, make tweaks etc.
As long as Fitz is at the Sharks we'll always be a top 4 or there abouts defensive team imo. That alone puts us top 6 . It's no coincidence the top 4 defensive teams were the top 4 teams, go back and see how top defensive teams fair. They rarely have bad years.
Squad - It does need a few tweaks but it's pretty much the same squad as this year plus Kaufusi who will be good, and a fit Williams who was our best forward in 2021. Consistency is key to be successful.
It definitely is missing something dont get me wrong. I think Iro should go to left centre and Talakai moves to edge but if we keep Graham then with Tieg also it is getting a bit crowded, so maybe Talakai stays at centre another year, and with a full off season will be even better for it. I do feel Iro is next man up in regards to our centres though, no more Tracey please. Maybe even next man up on the wing as I dont think Ika will be ready Rd 1, atleast not the early rounds.
I would be shocked if Kennedy isn't our Rd 1 fullback but really hope Dykes is a legit option if he has a big off season. I regret that we didn't get a larger sample size of Dykes in First grade, would have been nice to see more of him.
Moylan and Brailey - Need more from both. Brailey improved from last year, so similar improvement will see him be very good imo. His stats has him up there with alot of the other hookers but needs to get involved more.
Props we need more from Uele and Hunt. Especially Uele, his form pre injury was great, then took a while to get going. He has all the attributes but just needs to realise how good he can be. I hope we're looking for an upgrade for 2024. Spencer Leinu could be good.
Hynes - First year at halfback, had an amazing year and feel he'll only get better with the experience, smarter with his game management, better with kicking choices. He already improved defensively as he got used to be up front. Goal kicking improved to 85% second half of the year so ideally he brings that to the whole regular season.
Also need to look at how the rest of the competition will be too, some teams will be weaker, some stronger.
Penrith - defn weaker with no Api and Kikau but will be top 4 with their defence. Even with no Ciraldo they'll maintain their systems.
Eels - much weaker, they need to win it this year. Wont be a Top 6 threat.
Cowboys, Souths should be similar to this year.
Roosters maybe better but not sure on Smith as a full time hooker, too good of a squad to not be up there.
Storm - there abouts but lost some serious forward experience.
Raiders - meh
Eagles - No Foran, lot of pressure on DCE. Hooker is average.
