** Apologies to Ryan for treading on his territory here **
Now that some of the uncertainty has been resolved regards roster for next year, what is our best 17 for next season presuming all are fit ??
1. Snake
2. Hiku
3. Killer
4. Skivvy
5. Horhay
6. Foz
7. DCE
8. BJ
9. Matty
10 Starling
11. Nami
12. T-Red
13. JB
14. Mason
15. Mateo
16. JSL
17. Horo
That bench might be a little light on for size, so I wouldn't be unhappy to see one of Horo/JSL/Mateo drop off for a bigger unit depending on who steps up and which backrower is struggling.
We have the following for forward depth to choose from
Hasson
Andrews
Vave
MCK
Sao
Turbo
Elephantman
Tetevano (TBC)
Leary
Baker
and of course Hodges is a chance of a bench spot if we decide to go that path (not something we have done for a few years now so don't know whether that will change). At least it's an option these days.
I'd happily bracket Blair with either Hiku or Horhay as I don't think we lose anything there in either case. But Horhay at his best is an asset, I think his shoulder injury really hampered him this season so hoping he can regain some of that destructive form from last year. Of course we have Morrisey waiting in the wings as well, so outside back depth not too bad. Centre is probably the only spot we are light on, there is Satini and Williame, but neither have a lot of experience and the jury still out on them. JLJ seemed an adequate short term cover for the halves this year, so we are pretty much OK for any minor interruptions. Long term injury in the backs to anyone of note would be a problem, but what team doesn't face that prospect.
Out of that list you would expect that only DCE will be an origin certainty so minimal disruption through rep season as well. All in all it looks pretty good for next year as long as we get some much needed punch up the middle. Turbo or Sao might step up in that department with any luck.
Now that a lot of the off field crap has been sorted with the Penn buyout and the Choc saga drawn to a close you'd like to think it will be happier place next season. That augurs well for a committed and focused player group one would think.
Looking forward to next year already.
Now that some of the uncertainty has been resolved regards roster for next year, what is our best 17 for next season presuming all are fit ??
1. Snake
2. Hiku
3. Killer
4. Skivvy
5. Horhay
6. Foz
7. DCE
8. BJ
9. Matty
10 Starling
11. Nami
12. T-Red
13. JB
14. Mason
15. Mateo
16. JSL
17. Horo
That bench might be a little light on for size, so I wouldn't be unhappy to see one of Horo/JSL/Mateo drop off for a bigger unit depending on who steps up and which backrower is struggling.
We have the following for forward depth to choose from
Hasson
Andrews
Vave
MCK
Sao
Turbo
Elephantman
Tetevano (TBC)
Leary
Baker
and of course Hodges is a chance of a bench spot if we decide to go that path (not something we have done for a few years now so don't know whether that will change). At least it's an option these days.
I'd happily bracket Blair with either Hiku or Horhay as I don't think we lose anything there in either case. But Horhay at his best is an asset, I think his shoulder injury really hampered him this season so hoping he can regain some of that destructive form from last year. Of course we have Morrisey waiting in the wings as well, so outside back depth not too bad. Centre is probably the only spot we are light on, there is Satini and Williame, but neither have a lot of experience and the jury still out on them. JLJ seemed an adequate short term cover for the halves this year, so we are pretty much OK for any minor interruptions. Long term injury in the backs to anyone of note would be a problem, but what team doesn't face that prospect.
Out of that list you would expect that only DCE will be an origin certainty so minimal disruption through rep season as well. All in all it looks pretty good for next year as long as we get some much needed punch up the middle. Turbo or Sao might step up in that department with any luck.
Now that a lot of the off field crap has been sorted with the Penn buyout and the Choc saga drawn to a close you'd like to think it will be happier place next season. That augurs well for a committed and focused player group one would think.
Looking forward to next year already.