Jeral Skelton for the wing?100% Gone: Hawkins, Cook, Kennar, Burgess
Likely Gone: Ilias, Thompson, Milne, Chee Kam
50-50: Tass, Shaquai.
2 props, hooker (starter or backup), at least 1 winger/centre is the priority needs
Yeah, I know he won't come cheap and I don't think he'll get a mill but probably will cost something like $750-800 per season which is still steep. But all top teams have a gun alpha front rower to lead the line and make all the other props better as a result. Wayne knows this.
Hunt is like Leniu - power but short motor. Decent for extra punch but without Tom, who is showing signs of aging to be fair, we need a gun alpha up front.
Therefore, if we can manage it, we should shuffle things to try and get Utoi. I'd rather him than Smith.
Mentioned in the news today that Roosters, Dolphins and Storm are chasing him for next year. No mention of us. They'll throw big money at him.Yeah, I know he won't come cheap and I don't think he'll get a mill but probably will cost something like $750-800 per season which is still steep. But all top teams have a gun alpha front rower to lead the line and make all the other props better as a result. Wayne knows this.
Hunt is like Leniu - power but short motor. Decent for extra punch but without Tom, who is showing signs of aging to be fair, we need a gun alpha up front.
Therefore, if we can manage it, we should shuffle things to try and get Utoi. I'd rather him than Smith.
Unsure where Keaon's future lies as to who else will play edge on a regular basis for us. Will Arrow remain on an edge? Will Keaon go back to 12 once Murray is fully back? Will they ever give Duncan a crack wider out to prove himself there? Or will all those guys be part of the middles and therefore we need another edge guy to partner Aitken (should the signing be confirmed as appears likely) which means Host is still part of our 13/17?
Thomas Fletcher can hopefully stay on the field for the remainder of this year and show his full potential. He (and maybe Lovett?) can potentially still develop to full NRL standard in the coming seasons on an edge.
I was of that mindset too but Tatola's injury changes that, at least for this season. I think Keaon has to be that big minute starting prop you speak of now and Arrow stays on the edge despite him not really being a hole runner. Next year, we'll see. Hopes are high for Fletcher. Also, reading Cam's Origin interview during the week, he made it very clear that 13 is his spot so don't see him changing any time soon.In my eyes we have to start considering Murray's longevity in the game which means that Murray moves to second row and Keaon stays at lock.
Murray and Aitken form our second row with Keaon locking the scrum.
Arrow off the bench and can fill in at second row if needed. I still am of the belief that we need a big minute Prop to start the game which we would've had in Jack De Belin. Looks like that's either gonna be Moale or Tatola next year.
Apparently he has been playing hooker and killing it,so this is more to shore up the hooking positionI don't think it's been said but Jaime Humphreys to Souths. Humphreys is a manly junior and was supposed to be DCE's replacement. Bennett is making moves already.
Wouldn’t you move Aitken to the centres if injuries happen mid game?Keoan has to stay in the middle either at 13 or Prop.
Abit like Terrel May from Roosters who can play the full 80mins.
Tatola has had a bad couple of years will need to really step up 2025 would actually bring him off the bench he was most successful off the bench and not big enough to be starting prop.
1. Mithcell
2. Johnston
3. Wighton
4. Munroe
5.Graham (help preserve his sternum with less defence, have a attacking option to kick for on the wings to compete)
6. Dodd
7. Walker
8. Moale
9. Humphries
10. Hunt
11. Muarry
12. Aitken
13. KK
14. Duncan (bench hooker, fill in second row if injuries Muarry moves to the centres)
15. Tatola bench prop
16. TPJ bench prop
17. Arrow.
18. Keppie
19. Mamazolous (not sold on him)
20. Milne
21. Jye Gray
22. Tass
23. Haizyn Mellars
24. Jason Hallie
25. Thomas Flether
26. Adam Christenson
27. Purchase Prop
28. Purchase Prop
29. Purchase Centre
30. Purhcase Second Rower
Releasing: Chee Kam, Host, Haivili, Shaq (but he wont go cause Latrell will get the shits), Thompson, Hawkins, Illias, Kennar, Gagai, Leon Te Hau, Skelton, Shibabsaki, Bentley Hape, Dion Teaupua, Matthew French, Lovett, Chapman, Le Blanc (not really much there)
Keoan has to stay in the middle either at 13 or Prop.
Abit like Terrel May from Roosters who can play the full 80mins.
Tatola has had a bad couple of years will need to really step up 2025 would actually bring him off the bench he was most successful off the bench and not big enough to be starting prop.
1. Mithcell
2. Johnston
3. Wighton
4. Munroe
5.Graham (help preserve his sternum with less defence, have a attacking option to kick for on the wings to compete)
6. Dodd
7. Walker
8. Moale
9. Humphries
10. Hunt
11. Muarry
12. Aitken
13. KK
14. Duncan (bench hooker, fill in second row if injuries Muarry moves to the centres)
15. Tatola bench prop
16. TPJ bench prop
17. Arrow.
18. Keppie
19. Mamazolous (not sold on him)
20. Milne
21. Jye Gray
22. Tass
23. Haizyn Mellars
24. Jason Hallie
25. Thomas Flether
26. Adam Christenson
27. Purchase Prop (Ofhaki Ogden & Ryan Matterson seem to be on the outer at Parra)
28. Purchase Prop(Marty Taupau for a year wouldnt be bad also under bennet, just get the ball Run hard, Like Bellamy does with his props, used to live in Botany also knows the area well)
29. Purchase Centre/Winger (Mikale Ravawala seems to be on outer at Dragons,
30. Purhcase Second Rower (Siua Wong or Sitili Tupoinuia are not playing regular first grade will go hard after 1 of these and find a spot in the 17.)
Releasing: Chee Kam, Host, Haivili, Shaq (but he wont go cause Latrell will get the shits), Thompson, Hawkins, Illias, Kennar, Gagai, Leon Te Hau, Skelton, Shibabsaki, Bentley Hape, Dion Teaupua, Matthew French, Lovett, Chapman, Le Blanc (not really much there)
He's a rising half but was touted in the preseason as a potential backup hooker and looked lively in the trials and looked a big chance of going to Vegas with the squad but was bypassed for Lawton, then Chan Kum Tong and now they've brought Simpkin over from the Tigers.I don't think it's been said but Jaime Humphreys to Souths. Humphreys is a manly junior and was supposed to be DCE's replacement. Bennett is making moves already.