I like the idea of playing Nathan Brown as our starting lock, on the proviso that he has the fitness to play that role for 80 minutes. However, I am unsure if that is the role Seibold has planned for him.
I can see Seibold bringing Brown in after 20 minutes, and Jake then shifting into the prop rotation. I think even 60 minutes might be a big ask for Brown at this stage of his career.
It's one of the reasons that I have preferred Arthur over GCKT/Humphries. I believe that Arthur has the ability (and the versatility) to cover lock, backrow, dummy half and the halves as well. He also has the fitness to play big minutes off the bench as required.
Lodge is definitely a must in the seventeen when he is fit. It's great to have the depth we have now, where we can choose our seventeen with some quality options amongst the rest of the squad.
Brown won't be an 80 minute guy, if you read my post a few weeks I had a good chat with seibold at a local pub in Manly and he said that Jake will be playing 80 mins which I still disagree with should be 65 - 70. I do like your idea of Brown coming on after 20 mins and playing lock for 60. That would be he's max for minutes but that's all you need.
I just know for that first 20 we need physical players and Jake and Paseka both aren't physically and mentally aggressive.
Arthur is a great backup five eight and potentially can play a ball playing lock forward but there is no chance he can play second row and im still questioning dummy half. Every good 14 goes into the game knowing their role, backup hookers who are darty and create linebreaks in the middle third I believe is the best way to use a 14 instead of hoping for an injury to a half.
Lodge I agree will be in our starting 17 when he is fully fit. Could mean Sipley and Aloiai could be missing out when full strength if they go humphries, lodge, bullemor and burbo on the bench.
I think the biggest loser of Brown possibly being starting lock or in starting 17 when fully fit is Josh Aloiai. This could mean he is second middle forward cover and playing for Blacktown Workers for majority of the season. He hasn't offered much the last 2 years and is getting paid 600k a season.
Going into to 2024 Schuster at 800k and Aloiai at 600k are the only 2 players who are over priced. Given Schuster's new role, talent and length on the contract I don't think they will let him go this year but if Brown excells at this role I wouldn't be suprised if Aloiai has a mid season switch to another club. Could see him excelling at clubs like the sharks, dogs, dolphins where he could gain a starting lock role at those clubs (Mccines, Curran and K Bromich who will be 33).
Also I feel letting tuipilotu go to Dragons will be a good move for us to free up some cap space and set us up better for our future. Seibold on multiple times has talked about how he likes speed on the wings. With Saab and Paulo looking likely to start and the rise of clayton faulalo who's a speedstar on on the wing and already Ray Vaega who can be the yardage winger if we need we don't need 3 backup wingers. Also, with Lehi Hopoate who will playing in around 2 years there is no need to hold Tuipilotu.
