Rumoured Targets 3

[Apey]

Yeah no hope of Walker coming here, but I'd pay him 1M, most clubs would. Any higher would just depend on each clubs situation. You can carry a Cogger or a Gamble at 6 with a world class 7 and 1. Hooker would still be an issue most likely. Crossland is okay but his service is lacking.

 

[Old dog]

Even if we got a 7, unlikely as non available, we still need to sort out our spine. Our current best option for positions is obviously Ponga at 1: no doubt.
Our best 6 at this time is Gamble, doubt an off season would have Sharpe at 6 early on but maybe as season progresses. Our best 7 is new unnamed unheard of but until revealed then it’s Cogger and likely to be for the season 2025, just accept it. That leaves 9, assuming Brailey is gone then it’s Crosslands with likely pressure from Arthur with whoever misses is likely 14.
We need to accept what we have, embrace what they give and hope the team overall performs to get us a top 6 spot

 

[Old dog]

Hunt, no thanks, past his best, might that a big MIGHT be ok for a season but will likely want more if leaving Dragons, Cogger not great but likely better than Hunt in 2025 and we have him and are paying him

 

[Burwood]

Haven’t heard Pryce’s name mentioned for next year. Lost cause already?

 

[Woody90]

Even if we got a 7, unlikely as non available, we still need to sort out our spine. Our current best option for positions is obviously Ponga at 1: no doubt.
Our best 6 at this time is Gamble, doubt an off season would have Sharpe at 6 early on but maybe as season progresses. Our best 7 is new unnamed unheard of but until revealed then it’s Cogger and likely to be for the season 2025, just accept it. That leaves 9, assuming Brailey is gone then it’s Crosslands with likely pressure from Arthur with whoever misses is likely 14.
We need to accept what we have, embrace what they give and hope the team overall performs to get us a top 6 spot

I think everyone’s accepted the fact that next year we’ll have some kind of combination of Gamble/Cogger/Crossland/Arthur/maybe Pryce pending injuries in the 6, 7 and 9.

Of course people are going to speculate about who we should target though even if it’s wishful thinking - we’re clearing a lot of players and obviously the club aren’t happy with the current 7 and 9 options (I think we’re ok at 6).

 

[Woody90]

Haven’t heard Pryce’s name mentioned for next year. Lost cause already?

I like Pryce but he hasn’t had many opportunities to show whether he’s improving or not. He has a much higher ceiling at 6 than Gamble or Cogger but I get the feeling he’s out of favour and we won’t look to re-sign him. I also don’t think he suits the type of football AOB wants them to play (although none of our halves have tbh).

 

[Old dog]

Talk of Sharpe maybe into spine, not 1 but 6 seems bit silly when our weakest spot is 7 and our second best is 6.
Surely if going to trial him in a position it would be more likely at 7, He is very quick and I always think of the 7 being fast and backing up half breaks through the middle, trailing the props looking for an offload.
I’m happy with him on wing but 2025 might bring options

 

[Old dog]

Think Pryce is an Adlib player, does what he sees in front of him, not an Obi type player unless you are Ponga

 

[mozza91]

Pezet and Wishart would make a great halves pairing. Pity the Storm will keep both.

It is a joke how concentrated the halves talent is in this comp.

Surely one of them goes. Munster mightn’t be around for too long but Hughes has plenty of years left.

 

[Burwood]

AOB knew what type of player Pryce was before he signed him. Seems strange to spend so much effort and money to bring him out to Australia and then suddenly realise he doesn’t fit your style.

 

[Woody90]

Surely one of them goes. Munster mightn’t be around for too long but Hughes has plenty of years left.

They’re going to have to. They’re 21 and 24 years old and Munster and Hughes could have 5+ years left.

 

[Apey]

Haven’t heard Pryce’s name mentioned for next year. Lost cause already?

I mostly didn't include him because of reasons said above, but maybe another off-season will get him right for first grade. He is supposedly on an above average wage and he can't crack first grade - like Hastings but not as egregious. Definitely haven't given up hope, but its also a reality he might not just cut it over here. How long can we pay 1M+ for a halves pairing that can't play above NSW Cup level. It's partly why I can't be bothered interacting with the Ponga contract talk any more. Is there any other team who has so much money tied up in such players? The only other club I can think of is Manly recently with Schuster.

It would be interesting to know what O'Sullivan thinks about Pryce. I think if next year he isn't a regular first grader, then he's gone, or at least he's taking a pay cut.

 

[Knight Tales]

Yes to Pezet and Wishart. Absolutely.

 

[aqua_duck]

Talk of Sharpe maybe into spine, not 1 but 6 seems bit silly when our weakest spot is 7 and our second best is 6.
Surely if going to trial him in a position it would be more likely at 7, He is very quick and I always think of the 7 being fast and backing up half breaks through the middle, trailing the props looking for an offload.
I’m happy with him on wing but 2025 might bring options

I think Sharpe being such a revelation on the wing I’d be reluctant to move him into the halves. I have no idea what his kicking game looks like so it’s hard to envision him as a 7 tbh.

 

[Woody90]

I think Sharpe being such a revelation on the wing I’d be reluctant to move him into the halves. I have no idea what his kicking game looks like so it’s hard to envision him as a 7 tbh.

There’s no way we should be moving Sharpe. I think people assume he’s being wasted on the wing but his skills have really helped to minimise losing Dom. He’ll be even better after an off season training at wing and I’d leave him there rather than messing with his development by trialing him in other positions over the off season.

He’ll get plenty of opportunities to play FB next year with KP likely out for some games or SOO.

 

[Yosh]

Sharpe to halfback is not the answer.

Hopefully Crossland and Arthur can make a good go of it at hooker.

Gamble and Cogger isn't good enough either. One one of them should play. I think Gamble but where do we find a quality half??? At the moment it seems the best case scenario is that Pryce suddenly turns into a star half.

 

[macavity]

Wouldn’t surprise to see Ponga back into the halves with Sharpe to 1.

 

[Yosh]

Wouldn’t surprise to see Ponga back into the halves with Sharpe to 1.

Meh could be the only answer. I don't want KP standing on one side waiting for the ball though. Would want him to be first receiver more often than not. Don't knlw AOB is the right coach to get that out of him...

 

[Burwood]

No way he goes back into the halves for a third attempt.

If things are really that desperate, all we need are two robots in there who can follow a plan and get early ball to KP at fullback- Gamble is a no brainer, and I think Cogger showed enough in the late stages of the season to get first shot in 2025. If they can play close to their ceiling each week, it will provide cheap options in the halves until a top tier replacement can be found.

Not completely sure where Crossland’s best position is. He really drives out defensive effort, but he has no smarts at hooker- you really noticed this when Brailey was back in form and playing big minutes.

If Brailey is moved on, I hope a genuine hooker like Arthur or Jones show enough to make the position theirs and Phoenix goes back to the bench. Or he partners Gamble in the halves. So many options (and none really ideal)!

 

[Knight Tales]

we have enough firepower in our backline to match anyone. Messing with it is the dumbest thing we will do regardless of who we recruit going forward. Sharpe could well become a rep winger in the next few years. No need to move anyone around to accomodate a perception he should be fullback. We have the best fullback on the planet.