While I'm a big believer in getting a proven prop ala Graham I also think we should have our targets locked on the Dragons. They will have to shed players especially with how Gasnier's deal is back ended and many other's going up.
While many will look at this years success I'm a big believer in setting yourself up for the future as well. Especially in the forwards. We need guy's like Greenshields, Marketo, Hunt etc.
God I hope Kite still isn't running out for us in 4 years time. His form the last 2 years has been pretty ordinary and quite rightly he has been overlooked for representative honours last season. He needs a BIG lift in performance and enthusiasm this year, otherwise I can see no point in extending his contract.
I'd say we are fine in the backs for many years to come if we can hold onto these blokes. Foran, Cherry-Evans, Whare, Hoppoate, Stewart, Oldfield, Williams. Again as Tookey pointed out, no major sponsor will limit our future signings. However if everything turns out for the better we should be targeting 2 props. A young up and comer like McKendry or Grant and a higher profile player like Scott or Shillington. The rest of the forwards still have plenty of good years in them. I'd expect Rodney and Kite to move on. Ballin or G Stewart will be the future captain of the club. We should get a look at Lussick and Cunningham at some stage this year. Bring on the footy!
I hope Cunningham kicks on. He's been selected as one of the best 4 props in Australia in the NYC, by being selected as a starter in their Australian team. Hopefulle that bodes well. He's 20.
The best 4 Australian ones anyway, theres a few big islander lads at that age that may not be eligible, but yeah hopefully he kicks on.
I don't know what comp you've been watching but Tim Manah is far from being just an average player. I would grab him in a heart beat. The best prop in the game as far as a quick play the ball goes. He rarely gets flipped over onto his back. Tackles like a demon and has heaps of ability. Plus, he's still relatively young.
DSM, if Snowden and Douglas remain at the Sharks with the coaching revolving door they will remain average first graders. But I believe there is enough potential in both that if Dessie and the coaching staff get a hold of either of them early enough they could develop into first class players.
Kade Snowden and Sam McKendry - the 2 best young props in Australia...one of those 2 would do just fine for 2012
Imagine:- 08. Jared Wearra-Hargreaves 09. Matt Ballin 10. Lama Tasi 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Shane Rodney 13. Glenn Stewart 14. Liam Foran 15. Jason King 16. George Rose 17. Brent Kite
