I’m liking the idea of King Gutho and it might be possible if a few guys won’t leave from Parra
to have cook, Gutho, Holmes and maybe RCG
I mean that is the formula
very experienced players and desperate for a GF appearance in their twilight years in a new energised environment !!!! With Flano as coach. Very similar to the design Shane created in his Sharks GF winning squad.
I just can’t see us securing obvious halves for 2025 or 2026 - the market is so tight re halves and we desperately need a solution
our junior emerging halves LKT and Reed are more likely ready 2027
Hunt may leave end of this year or next. That is a serious hole to fill. There is no dominant obvious next up no7 to replace and it would hurt recruitment also.
Gutho at no6 and Kyle at no14 makes sense for 2025 and Gutho could probably play at no6 for a few seasons still vs FB - he surely knows that. Gutho is a very good player in the line from FB but he actually plays in attack more standing in the line like a 5/8….and strong defender - it really makes sense and he has a handy short kicking game.
left side - Tui, Holmes, Gutho
right side - Finau, Suli, Hunt
that is great experience and with cheap depth wingers in Matt Feagai, Allan, Finau, Tui we can make it happen $ wise for sure
Lids only has a MO for 2026 so he may move on but his contrac lt would be max $400k and same for Kyle max $400k
Then signing say RCG and releasing Lawrie would be the next massive win
Allan on the wing is good cover for Sloan if any issues in a game etc
RCG, Cook, FMolo
Luc, Sua
JDB
Gutho, Hunt
Tui, Holmes
Suli, Allan
Sloan
bench:
Kyle Flano
Sele
T.Couchmen
RFM
I suspect we may start JDB at lock to start the season and take this intense first 20mins of a game with then Couchmen coming on for the last 60mins and JDB reverting to prop second half.
Gives us a little more steel in the pack to start a game and plays Couchmen in the more open minutes plus to get thru a whole season of FG NRL