Firstly let me say, I don't know the status of these guys contracts so this is just an ideal team that I'd love to see if all things were in alignment.
If I had the power I'd try to get David Solomona & Dennis Moran back from SL. Solo especially if Morris & Widders go, & Moran especially if Tim can't get it together, but both regardless.
Lance Thompson who I think may have dropped in value but not form to replace the workrate & toughness we lose with Morrison going. Guys Like Zeb Taia, Cordoba & co. Would get a lot from having both a Hindmarsh & a Thommo around to model their game on.
Nigel PLum is another player I see a big future for. He'd be a great buy for similar reasons but has the longevity Thommo is short on. I know we are good for backrowers but this guy is an exceptional prospect.
Having Missed out on Lyon I'd like to see that money used try & have Danny McGuire lured across from SL to fill the #6 jersey. Failing that I'd throw the same sort of money the way of Kevin Sinfield to do the job at 5/8th. McGuire is a very good #7 & Sinfield is equally effective at #13. If we could get either one of these guys over I think our halves options would open up significantly. Especially if Green is still in the picture.
Summing up:
I'd throw enough money at firstly Mcguire then Sinfield to entice them over as a fix for our halves weakness.
I'd upgrade Widders contract to a two year deal instead of of the ones he's been copping & hope that kept him about. Alternatively I'd fight harder to keep Morris here. I'd try & keep Widders & Morris here in that order but would be resigned to losing one.
I'd work hard to get Plum across. I don't think you could pay overs for the guy. He'd earn whatever money he was on & looks a lot like a young Hindmarsh in many areas of his game.
Thompson & Solomona are the guys I'd target as subs our Front Row. Whether from the bench or the starting side any rotation of Cayless, Thompson, Moi Moi & Solomona is going to cause some headaches.
Dennis Moran was very good for us in his short stint here & barring this season has been amoung the best of SL since he left. A similar player to Marsh & would be a great impact sub or alternate halves option.
My shopping List:
(Not sure of contract status so this is a bit of a dream team)
Goodbye ~ let go
Vella
Wagon
Morris (pending Widders)
McKinnon (great player but Hayne is comming through so...)
Morrison
ODwyer
Peterson
Stringer
Lyon
Graham
Delaney
Cannings
Hello
Nigel Plum
Dennis Moran
Lance Thompson
David Solomona
Danny McGuire &/OR (pending cap) Kevin Sinfield
If Hagan had his own guys in mind I'd hope to see!
Clint Newton
Todd Lowrie
Only. For budgets sake thats all I'd want from the Knights but really I'm not fussed on many of them. Simpson is good but you could probably get both Thommo & Plum for what he'd want.
Upgrade for keeps
Burt
Green
Hayne
Williams
Inu
Taia
Cordoba
Tsoulos
Oake
Hauraki
Either Widders OR Morris. Both failing success with the Danny McGuire or Kevin Sinfield plan
Ideal team round 1 2007
1. Hayne
2. Inu
3. B Smith
4. Tahu
5. Grothe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Danny McGuire
8. Cayless
9. Marsh
10. Fuifui
11. Hindmarsh
12. Riddell
13. Nigel Plum
14. Denis Moran
15. Dean Widders
16. Lance Thompson
17. David Solomona
