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Squad succession

Happy MEel

First Grade
Messages
9,436
Update in light of new info about development contracts, plus I've finally accepted Gutherson is a fullback:

* = player option
¢ = club option
^ = development contract

2020
Utility: Salmon (21), Smith (28), Takairangi (31)
Fullback: Gutherson
W/C: Blake, Dunster (21), Ferguson, G. Jennings (27), Parry (21), Sivo
Half: D.Brown (20), Davies (24)^, Moses
Hooker: Mahoney (22)
Edge forward: Davey (29), Gower (35), Lane (26), Matterson, Niukore
Tight forward: Alvaro, N.Brown, Campbell-Gillard, Evans (28), Hughes^, Kaufusi (21), Paulo, Stone (23), Terepo (29), Utoikamanu (20)^

2021
Utility: -
Fullback: Gutherson
W/C: Blake, Ferguson (31), Sivo (28)
Half: Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Matterson, Niukore
Tight forward: Alvaro (28) Brown (28)*, Campbell-Gillard, Hughes (20)^, Paulo

2022
Utility: -
Fullback: Gutherson (28)
W/C: Blake
Half: Moses (28)*
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Matterson (28)*, Niukore (26)
Tight forward: Campbell-Gillard, Paulo (29)

2023
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Blake (29)
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Tight forward: Campbell-Gillard*

2024
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Tight forward: Campbell-Gillard (31)¢

So we (officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30.
...and yet you still have Gower listed as an edge forward.

FFS
 

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
16,312
So looks like if/once we re-sign Jenko that is 27 signed up for next year's Top 3, which leaves us with 2 spots before the start of next seson.

Interesting to know what sort of cap space we have left? A couple of real astute signings over the off season could really put us into Premiership contention for 2020.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
85,093
You’re right, the few games he played in reggies on the edge compared with the 16 games he played in the NRL in the middle is a better indicator of his position within our top 30 roster.
There just aren't that many edge forward minutes (160) in a game compared to middle forward minutes (240), especially considering most/all edge forwards can play 80 minutes. Gower wasn't required there this year, just as he probably won't be next year. But he's at least an option.
 

Happy MEel

First Grade
Messages
9,436
If it helps put RCG and Matterson in lineup I’m fine with it
Fair point. Though that Schaafhausen bloke who played the last few games for Wenty last year looked more likely than Dunster and you’d have to think they’d both take minimum.
 

Happy MEel

First Grade
Messages
9,436
There just aren't that many edge forward minutes (160) in a game compared to middle forward minutes (240), especially considering most/all edge forwards can play 80 minutes. Gower wasn't required there this year, just as he probably won't be next year. But he's at least an option.
So you agree he’s more likely to be a middle forward for us than an edge forward. Glad we cleared that up.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
85,093
Fair point. Though that Schaafhausen bloke who played the last few games for Wenty last year looked more likely than Dunster and you’d have to think they’d both take minimum.
An NRL-calibre kick (and chase) would expose Schaafhausen whereas Dunster is evidently safer.

With backups you're less looking for an attacking contributor than somebody who won't let you down in defence.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
85,093
So you agree he’s more likely to be a middle forward for us than an edge forward. Glad we cleared that up.
It was never in dispute. Outside of the top two edge forwards in the club, all the others will likely only get first grade opportunities in the middle. This includes Gower, Niukore and Davey.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
85,093
Then why in God’s name is Will Smith still on our books???
Backup halves are a special case though, because they need to be able to take some pressure off the main guy so they need some playmaking ability. Otherwise you'd just stick an extra edge forward or centre in there.

Anyway you'd expect the best player in reserve grade to be required in the NRL at some point. He's won more NRL finals matches than Tom Trbojevic.
 

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