The problem is we can't match their backs.
Actually we can't match most of the better sides backs. Storm, Souths, Panthers, Roosters(when fully fit) and Manly. They all posses flare that we don't have. So if they match us or come close to it in the forwards, most times we will lose due to the flare and speed they play with compared to the boring predictable pass, pass, pass, pass building to nothing or block plays that we throw at them. We don't challenge any of the good sides with that sh*t.
Who the hell is coaching us this way!
Anyway, until we get some real fast stepping talent out there in the backs I will not be expecting much come finals time. Sure we could get lucky and play a team who are just a little off on the day or an injury effected team, but other then that I don't think we will be winning a GF this season.
If Katoni Staggs return to footy this last weekend serves us anything it is to once again, as
@hindy111 has so often stated, show we need at lest one genuine superstar back in our backline with either over the top talent or speed if not both. All the top teams have them. We are the only team that doesn't. We have good to hard working backs, but no freaks. They are generally the ones that at a blink of the eye turn games upside down.
The more I think about it and the way Katoni came back from that ACL, imagine if we had that type of strike power in our current roster? I know BA and the acquisition team tried real hard to get him here, and we missed out due to his high price demands, but boy would he of been a brilliant signing. I was worried at the time that he wouldn't be worth the risk due to injury and his relatively short NRL career that we might be signing a player who once again, shows initial brilliance, but when brought to our club, settles down to be an over priced and overhyped, under performing talent. Boy haven't we been burnt with those sorts of players before? But I don't think that Katoni will fall into that category, especially with the new rules favouring attacking weapons the way they do.
This is why I think that we will get scorched during Finals time. We don't have out and out weapons and the new rules favour teams that do. We need at least one, but I don't know where or who we can bring to the club that fits the bill. Maybe a cameo from Semi? Other then that, I have no clue. I think all the real good ones are locked up. This is also why I suggested we raid the Dragons and try and sign Jayden Sullivan, he is more skillful then anyone at our club and he could, if all goes well in his development, end up with a Panthers Cleary/Thurston Cowboys style of team where he is that good that he makes the rest of the players play the best footy they can each week. But again, I doubt we would ever have that type of killer instinct to even try getting such a highly regarded future superstar when we already have adequate halves at our club.
The Roosters would though, because adequate is not their mantra or in their DNA. Anyway, back to reality, we need a star type of player or two to go to the next level. Period.
Oh and to posters like Pou, yes I know there is a salary cap. The premiership winning clubs work it out and get it done, so so should we. We may need to shed some depth to get it done until all these great future juniors can start to rise and fill the breach. But for the next 2-3 years which is how I see our current premiership window, we need at least one player that can break a game wide open with lethal brilliance. I really hope our recruitment team can somehow pull a rabbit out of a hat and deliver.
