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Squad succession

eels_fan

First Grade
Messages
7,911
Well the first line 'Utilities' shows the most versatile players in the team. The fullback and at least one of the halves are likely to be this versatile.
Shouldn’t Matto be a utility then? He’s played in the middle, his played in the centres, he’s played in the halves during his career.

Surely a better way to list is by their prominent or current position to give a better reflection of our depth per position?
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
94,307
Shouldn’t Matto be a utility then?
Yeah maybe. If he was picked somewhere in the backs for a run of games (a la Niukore) then I would likely move him to the utilities section. I don't think I ever did with Niukore but I was tempted. It just came down to me thinking he was only picked there because of an injury crisis at the club. Genuine centre/second row utilities are Talakai, Bird and maybe Capewell. Matterson hasn't played in the backs for years.
He’s played in the middle, his played in the centres, he’s played in the halves during his career.
He has. I just don't expect him to in the future. Curtis Sironen is in the same boat.
Surely a better way to list is by their prominent or current position to give a better reflection of our depth per position?
I've listed utilities at the very top to help with this. Any gaps at the various positions might be filled by a utility. Versatility is very exciting.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
94,307
Kane Laney!

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

2023
Utility: Asi, Brown, Gutherson, Kalache^, Russell, Talagi^
Fullback: -
W/C: Blake (29), Cini^, Dunster, Loizou (21), Penisini, Simonsson, Sivo
Half: Arthur, Moses
Hooker: Hands, Hodgson, Rein (33)
Edge forward: Cartwright (29), Davey, Doorey, Lane, Mataele^, Matterson, Murchie
Middle: Campbell-Gillard, Greig (24), Hopgood, Makatoa, Momoisea, Ogden, Paulo, Rodwell

2024
Utility: Asi (24)", Brown, Gutherson, Kalache (21)^, Russell (22), Talagi^
Fullback: -
W/C: Cini (24)^, Dunster, Penisini, Simonsson (26)", Sivo
Half: Arthur (22), Moses (30)*
Hooker: Hands, Hodgson (35)"
Edge forward: Davey (33), Doorey (24)", Lane, Mataele, Matterson, Murchie (27)
Middle: Campbell-Gillard, Hopgood (25), Makatoa (31), Momoisea (26), Ogden (28)¢, Paulo, Rodwell (25)

2025
Utility: Brown, Gutherson (31), Talagi (20)^*
Fullback: -
W/C: Dunster (26)", Penisini (23), Sivo (32)
Half: -
Hooker: Hands (26)
Edge forward: Lane, Mataele (23), Matterson
Middle: Campbell-Gillard (32), Paulo

2026
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Lane (32)", Matterson (32)*
Middle: Paulo (33)

2027
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2028
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2030
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2031
Utility: Brown (31)*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

So we (officially) have 29 merkins in this year's top 30, and 25 in the 2024 squad.
 

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,777
Davey is Top 30

Brendan Hands is not. Probably because Mitch Rein is injured or gone fishing, so it’s easy to get exemption.

Would we just stop playing Rein in NSW Cup so that we can get an exemption for Hands?
 

Gronk

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
79,248
Would we just stop playing Rein in NSW Cup so that we can get an exemption for Hands?
Well if you can wing it until June, it allows you to sign two more Top 30 players.

He’s probably injured. Funny if he comes back that week after the second tier and dev players can be selected.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
94,307
Davey is Top 30

Brendan Hands is not. Probably because Mitch Rein is injured or gone fishing, so it’s easy to get exemption.

They took a while to list Asi in the top 30, so I'm not taking that as definitive. I'd be surprised if he signed an extension without being upgraded this year.
 
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