The $1 Million Question

[King Ben]

Put your coaches hat on, folks.

 

[carcharias]

I know who picks “ other”

 

[Quigs]

I've given up worrying about it. I am just an old block headed front rower of absolutely no repute therefore I have no necessity to be a thunker.

I just watch some other top sides and shake my head and contemplate ...... "only if"

 

[Chimp]

Based purely on this seasons efforts, Moylan at 6, and begrudgingly Johnson at 7 just because at least he might do something - Chad is just bland, at best.

 

[Generalzod]

Is JT out of retirement lol

 

[chewsta]

Ive been on the Moyza bashing train but he atleast has a go. Looked pretty good feeding Wade's side the ball the other night and popped up on SJ's side as well looking dangerous. Im so dissappointed in SJ it's not even funny. Has all the skills and class just no desire. Chad on the other hand has all the desire but nothing to back it up.
Connor Tracey looks pretty good but he will never de-throne the other two.

 

[Weaponhead]

How many of the top 7 highest paid players in the squad are playing close to their best or at a standard that justifies their salary?

Johnson
Moylan
Wade
Dugan
Fifita
Woods
Chad

Of those, only Wade plays at a consistent standard. Johnson is way too inconsistent and looks to have lost faith in his body. Ditto Moylan. Fifita is cooked. Woods has always been a plodder. Chad is Chad.

No team can compete in this comp if their top players are not setting a standard. The issue is bigger than Johnson but he is an obvious symptom.

The team that Flange built had a clear identity - toughness. Flange recruited winners to add ruthlessness to the toughness. Ennis, Lewis, Maloney, Heigno etc are reflective of this approach.

None of Johnson, Moylan or Woods have had consistent success at club or rep level. They are inconsistent and don't demonstrate the competitive desire of Ennis or Lewis.

So what does Morris do?
1. Decide what you stand for as a a club and team.
2. Evaluate current resources
3. Make the tough calls on who to keep and who to let go.
4. Recruit players who make the team better and align to what you stand for.

So what specific decisions to take.
1. Retain Wade. He is a must keep.
2. Determine if Fifita is able to deliver 30-40 mins of quality off the bench. If so, keep. He is a leader and connection to club success.
3. Johnson - not worth top dollar. Lots of talent not enough output. If he was willing to take a 30%+ pay cut consider keeping, if not let go.
4. Chad - it's time to move on. Has a few years to go on contract.
5. Woods - would only retain at reduced rate. Not a Shark.
6. Dugan - can't fault effort. Not the player he was and probably on his last NRL contract. To England for a final payday.
7. Moylan - let go unless he took a big pay cut.

Who to recruit? Assuming Rudolf goes (which sux given he is exactly the type of player we need), we will need 2 front rowers and possibly a 13 as Williams is not delivering and Magoo can't make the squad.

If 2 of Johnson, Moylan and Chad go then Morris will have to determine if Tracey or Trindall can step up. The complication with no lower level footy is potential stagnation in developlment of young players.

Is Kennedy a long term solution at fullback? I don't think so. His physicality in defence is not there.

Assuming Xerri is gone and Dugan goes in the near future then left centre is an open position.

In short, the likelihood is a significant squad overhaul is needed.

 

[Frenzy.]

Based purely on this seasons efforts, Moylan at 6, and begrudgingly Johnson at 7 just because at least he might do something - Chad is just bland, at best.

SJ was NO better than Chad the other night. In fact, probably worse. Kicking was as bad or worse, running non existent, defence much of a muchness. Game management poor.

"Might do something" is not a robust criteria. Chad "might do something" as well, and does 5-6 times a year. SJ hasn't done 5-6 "somethings" since he came.

Nuh, I'm not for throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[carcharias]

Moylan has 15 missed tackles in 2 games

 

[Cheese sandwich]

The phrase rearranging the deck chairs springs to mind here. Glad I'm not the coach.

 

[glenmoresharkie]

In regards to forwards, I think we all agree that a prop is badly needed. Woods, Fifita, Uele and Rudolf is not enough. Assuming that Rudolf is off to the Warriors (which I’ve seen no confirmation or even rumours of mind you), it’s imperative that we sign one for next season.

According to zero tackle, the props off contract at the end of 2020 are as follows;

David Fifita (Brisbane, need to offer him a huge contract if we’re any chance of getting him. I’d be extremely surprised if he even considered us)
Sia Soliola (Canberra, will probably retire)
Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Aiden Tolman, Sauaso Sue (all Bulldogs, all shit)
Keegan Hipgrave, Sam Stone, Ryan James, Sam Lisone (Titans, maybe James would be okay as long as he’s not on a crazy amount of money)
Christian Welch (Storm, would be a good pickup. This guy can definitely play.)
Leivaha Pulu, Jack Murchie (Warriors, not too sure on this Pulu guy, never really watched him play)
Herman Ese’Ese, Jacob Saifiti, Josh King (Knights, Saifiti and Ese’Ese go alright. One of these two blokes wouldn’t be a bad pickup)
John Asiata, Francis Molo (Cowboys, Molo went alright the other night against us. Decent player and only young)
Kane Evans (Eels, pretty average. The type of bloke we’d probably end up with tbh)
James Tamou, Kaide Ellis (Panthers, maybe Tamou on a cheap deal but he will be very unlikely to take a pay cut)
Jacob Host, Josh Kerr (Dragons, both shit)
Oliver Clark, Alex Seyfarth (Tigers, don’t know anything about either of them)


So not a whole lot of choices there. Will be gutted if we lose Toby

 

[Mr Angry]

Where is Pele?

When does NSW cup play again.

Would be happy with Asiata, ideal bench impact player.

 

[carinashark]

Tracy and BB. I wouldn’t go pay cut , just show SJ , Moyza, and Woods the door. But let’s be respectful of FiFi and Chad ,they are Sharks history.

 

[Frenzy.]

Moylan has 15 missed tackles in 2 games

So, he's improving?

 

[Frenzy.]

Moylan has 15 missed tackles in 2 games

Wade's missed 15 as well according to here

 

[Mr Angry]

On the million dollar one.

Was very bad v Manly in the last game - last year, along with many, but his worse game of the year.

If we get to semi-finals, that is where the price comes in. Fail season one.

I saw him beat Australia.

He does need forwards first.

We would look better with Turbo or Teddie too.

 

[carcharias]

Wade's missed 15 as well according to here

Check out Hodgson from the raiders
Geezuz
I would never picked that

 

[BatteredFlake]

Check out Hodgson from the raiders
Geezuz
I would never picked that

Probably difficult to get an acurate objective definition on missed tackle/effective defence ,If it was easy black and white stuff ....wouldn't need a coach....just a computer to analyse the data.