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Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

Luke Bowden

First Grade
Messages
7,249
I's argue Strange's dip in form coincided with the injury of his halfback more than anything. But if he has form dip sure drop him a few weeks. Until then I think he's one top 5 best outside backs at our club and deserves a spot if we pick the best team.
Fortunately that’s not what our club does and I’m confident that he’ll get the time he needs. Jesse should get first crack at the vacant wing
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
23,956
I’m not convinced Casey is miles ahead of Jesse yet. A better prospect certainly but Jesse was excellent in a losing side in his 1 game this year. I’m just as keen to see him get a run as I am Casey.
 

maple_69

Bench
Messages
4,587
I’d start with Cole at 6 and Talagi in reserves. Alamoti deserves first crack at his preferred position. While Casey has impressed me more, half a season in reserves is not going to hurt and Jesse looks a great prospect if Alamoti is centre. The other benefit of Alamoti being centre is the versatility that we saw in the grand final. Tago/Talagi aren’t offering wing cover.

I do really like the idea of Tago in that 17 role but I don’t see why we would have re-signed Garner who is also perfect for that role if there was any plans to pull the trigger on it.
 

Luke Bowden

First Grade
Messages
7,249
He came in and was better defensively than our premiership centres....that's how I've come to this conclusion.
In his half a dozen games where is one job was to make his tackles, whilst being looked out for…. I look forward to the six months of whinging we get from you next while he’s not being picked in first grade.
 

Original Name

Juniors
Messages
1,412
I’ve no idea how you’ve arrived at the conclusion.

It’s not holding him back, it’s doing the right thing and allowing him to develop. We aren’t the bulldogs.
I mean wasn't Crichton the same age or a year older when he played a full season? It seems like Ivan likes to be conservatives but throw in teens if they're good enough.
 

Luke Bowden

First Grade
Messages
7,249
I mean wasn't Crichton the same age or a year older when he played a full season? It seems like Ivan likes to be conservatives but throw in teens if they're good enough.
Crichton is a freak of an athlete, he was a fair bit more developed than Casey. I think Casey will be close to that at the end of next year. Although I will say that Casey is a better defender at a similar age. Its his all around game awareness that his biggest weakness at the moment.
 

Kilkenny

Coach
Messages
13,838
I think the real positive is despite the loss of Sunia Turuva we have competition for outside back positions and numerous options to fill the void. Despite a blip, defensive issues where he was dropped for a game or two before returning Turuva was very good for the most part in 2024. We will be abLe to effectively cover his departure whichever way Ivan goes there, he has plenty of options to choose from.
 

Luke Bowden

First Grade
Messages
7,249
I think the real positive is despite the loss of Sunia Turuva we have competition for outside back positions and numerous options to fill the void. Despite a blip, defensive issues where he was dropped for a game or two before returning Turuva was very good for the most part in 2024. We will be abLe to effectively cover his departure whichever way Ivan goes there, he has plenty of options to choose from.
Competition for position is the key to success
 

maple_69

Bench
Messages
4,587
I reckon in 3 years or so we might be running with 8. Marto 10. Henry 13. Smith 15. Leota 16. Patea/Other as the middle rotation. We'll need to phase Leota/Yeo out of those key roles gradually (both will be 32 in season 28) and Martin (30/31 in season 28) as he slows down could make sense to move in for his twilight years. If you can nail that, you really just need to figure out the Edwards transition and Nath could have a refreshed strong core around him for the last 4-5 years of his career which I expect to be his best if his body holds up.
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,102
Sorro is better in the middle and at his age a bench role will be perfect.

Still my wet dream to unleash Marto in the middle but with how the squad is built we won't get that for a few years

Martin doesn't want to play middle and we have enough there.

Hopefully all our backs kick on and we can move someone to backrow to fill that gap and add some spark to the side as they develop
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,102
I reckon in 3 years or so we might be running with 8. Marto 10. Henry 13. Smith 15. Leota 16. Patea/Other as the middle rotation. We'll need to phase Leota/Yeo out of those key roles gradually (both will be 32 in season 28) and Martin (30/31 in season 28) as he slows down could make sense to move in for his twilight years. If you can nail that, you really just need to figure out the Edwards transition and Nath could have a refreshed strong core around him for the last 4-5 years of his career which I expect to be his best if his body holds up.

All of the young backs have the size to play on the edge. Getting to the stage where we replace an ageing edge with Alamoti/Talagi etc would really extend the premiership window big time.

Get the team back to the 2022 side's attack level
 

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