Salary Cap - How it will effect us

[Dragonslayer]

I think that if Widdop left that Hutchison or man could play five-eighth. But we would need a goal kicker.

I think Widdop will stay, however, you are correct with who will be our goal kicker. At this present time (excluding Widdop) there are 3 that I know of who could fill the role, and I'm not including part-timers who occasionally take one or two shots.

1: Field - reasonably good goal kicker, but does miss plenty too. If he was given the 5/8 role next year I would rather him concentrate on that, rather than the added responsibility of the extra 2 points.
2: Nona - more than capable goal kicker but his form is patchy and can only, as with this year, being used as an last resort, if he is even re-signed.
3: Dodd - is ok with goal kicking, but is not a 5/8, more wing or centre. Which would mean accommodating him at the expense of either Nighty, McDonald, Lafai or Aitken. Unfortunately did his knee this season and is uncontracted at this stage for next year.

So yeah without Widdop we are really short in the goal kicking area. Some important decisions have to be made by the recruiting staff on wether to pay Widdop what he's asking or let him go. But, as you can see the choices are very limited when it comes to our kicker and converting 4 into 6 or landing an important penalty goal is crucial, one you can't rely a part-timer on.
IMO, if widdop goes, the only way it would work then would be to play Field at 5/8 and Dodd at centre and he has kicking duties. It would mean Aitken to a bench rotation role, unless Nightingale isn't re-signed of course (but that's looking more likely that he will now) or Dugan is let go and Nighty plays fullback.

To go out and purchase a kicker isn't ideal either and that would also depend on what position they played and at what cost, there ain't many on the market in reality.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I think that if Widdop left that Hutchison or man could play five-eighth. But we would need a goal kicker.

Could happen but both hutch and mann are of contract so we need to sign them soon.

 

[VodkaSaint]

Tigers eyeing Reynolds does that mean widdop has knocked them back, truly hope so

 

[BennyV]

I think Widdop will stay, however, you are correct with who will be our goal kicker. At this present time (excluding Widdop) there are 3 that I know of who could fill the role, and I'm not including part-timers who occasionally take one or two shots.

1: Field - reasonably good goal kicker, but does miss plenty too. If he was given the 5/8 role next year I would rather him concentrate on that, rather than the added responsibility of the extra 2 points.
2: Nona - more than capable goal kicker but his form is patchy and can only, as with this year, being used as an last resort, if he is even re-signed.
3: Dodd - is ok with goal kicking, but is not a 5/8, more wing or centre. Which would mean accommodating him at the expense of either Nighty, McDonald, Lafai or Aitken. Unfortunately did his knee this season and is uncontracted at this stage for next year.

So yeah without Widdop we are really short in the goal kicking area. Some important decisions have to be made by the recruiting staff on wether to pay Widdop what he's asking or let him go. But, as you can see the choices are very limited when it comes to our kicker and converting 4 into 6 or landing an important penalty goal is crucial, one you can't rely a part-timer on.
IMO, if widdop goes, the only way it would work then would be to play Field at 5/8 and Dodd at centre and he has kicking duties. It would mean Aitken to a bench rotation role, unless Nightingale isn't re-signed of course (but that's looking more likely that he will now) or Dugan is let go and Nighty plays fullback.

To go out and purchase a kicker isn't ideal either and that would also depend on what position they played and at what cost, there ain't many on the market in reality.

I believe Lafai can kick goals too.

 

[The Doc]

Could happen but both hutch and mann are of contract so we need to sign them soon.

Id say hutch, if we re-sign him, it would be on the minimum contract. Manns price wouldnt have gone up too much this year.
If he was off contract last year maybe different story.
Id say we could re-sign hutch at 120k and mann at 200k.
The question is however, is Mann needed in the clubs eyes?
We fans all rate him highly, but does mary and the powers that be rate him?
Nightys already stated he wants to play on.
Mary obviously like lafai who is also off contract.
Where that leaves Mann and Milne is the question.

 

[Dragon Revival]

One thing is for sure that Nona
is not a great goalkicker. On the weekend he only kicked one goal yet we scored four
tries. I am not sure if we received any penalty kicks for goal. Aitken, Dugan, Mann and Widdop are our best
attacking backs try wise as outside of them the cupboard is bare or not of NRL standard.

 

[possm]

Millward needs to get in and sign Dugan and Widdop as a matter of priority. I don't believe we can keep both without the use of TPA's. So get on with it or go to the market and find replacements. What clouds some of these decisions is the plans set for some of our untested juniors.

Field, Herbert, Robson and a number of other youngsters have potential but as yet untested at first grade level. So to rely on say Field or Hutch replacing Widdop or Dugan is very risky at this stage.

I'd say, sign Widdop and Dugan unless we have proven first grade players waiting to be signed. From there priorities unsigned players up to the current none salary cap limit of 8.3m.

It seems the only good alternative to Dugan, Tedesco would be around the same price or more expensive. Either signing would require a TPA to fit under our cap.

Widdop has returned to form and halves partnership with Hunt should solve a long standing problem experienced by our squad since 2011. We would finally have a top level halves combination. So on current form, Widdop should be signed right away unless we have a top line five-eighth who can kick goals ready to sign.

Sign Dugan or a fullback and Widdop or a five-eighth as a matter of urgency. Then move on through our squad in a way that keeps us under the cap.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Ben Hunt is a goal kicker from memory as well. As long as it is not Dugan kicking. That kicking style he has is too funny. Plus he is a crap goal kicker.