Part of this has been caused by the uncertainty around Manase with the trial delayed by covid - initially 2020, then 2021 & now 2022. Till this year, Manase was contracted for a reasonable sum (maybe 400k per year), but with the stand down policy maybe this was not included in the salary cap? In 2020, we hired Levi as a replacement, but this didn't work out. Croker exceeded most people's expectations last year & with him, we made the third week of the finals. In 2021, Lawton was bought as a dummy half/utility & had a very good season. His games in the backrow were excellent. However, it is only in the last game v Knights that he impressed me playing dummy half. It appears he is a 'smarter' dummy half than Croker. For the time being, I don't mind this combo. We have given Segeyaro a lifeline - it will be up to him whether he can make it back to the NRL. Also, I am very hopeful that Gordie will develop into an NRL dummy half. Meanwhile, we are all hopeful that Manase is found not guilty. If he is able to play & regain anything like his previous form, he will be amongst the elite dummy halves in the comp.
IMO, the main players who are on overs at present are Jake (900k) & Marty (850k?). It appears Marty will be leaving at the end of the season & this will free up a huge chunk of salary cap (probably needed to tie up some of our younger players for longer).
All very true mate. Here's how it stands for me:
Fullback: One regularly injured fullback. His replacement is a winger, so we need depth)
Wing: We are okay. Centres / Wingers are interchangeable. We have Garrick, Saab, Taufua, Tuipulotu and Koula who could all play wing.
Centre: we have Tuipulotu , Parker, Harper, Walker, Koula who could all play centre. Given the depth, I think we could make a tough decision and lose one or two (one being possibly the best of the lot is already going in Walker). I'd keep Koula, Saab, Garrick and look for a Jamie Lyonesque centre to partner Koula.
Five Eight: We are good there. We have both Schuster and Foz, with Weekes coming through who I think is amazing. I do think Fox may retire at season's end ( unfortunately).
Halfback: Well DCE is here for another half a decade now, so. Hopefully Humphries remains, but we also have Croker and Cust Jas an option to return, so we don't need further investment there.
Prop: We have Boyle , Sipley, Keppie, Taupau, Aloiai, Paseka and Bullemor if required. Four generally get a run. I think Jake should go to prop, and Schuster to lock to speed up our team a bit though. For that reason I'd probably lose 2/3 props. I'd say Taupau is going at season's end. I think we should cut Boyle. This again would add more space.
Hooker: We have Fainu (who may never play again), Croker (a half), and Lawton playing backrow mostly. The issue is here we have no plan B. I'd have cut Fainu, cut Croker and go with Mahoney or something, but the Dogs snagged him. Or get Koroisou to return, but he's off to the Tigers. This is a huge recruitment fail (in my opinion) and is the sole reason we can't beat good teams.
Backrow / lock: We have Olakau'atu, Schuster, Jake, Bullemor and Davey. As I mentioned, I'd retain all, but move Jake to prop. Walkers gone next season, so I do hope we return to a more traditional bench (1 utility, 2 props, 1 backrower). I also hope that means Lawton to 9 permantlty if we don't get a plan B, with Weekes on the bench (playing a Walker role of required).
Therefore, next season, I think we may be without Taupau, Walker, Boyle, Taufua, Fainu (possibly), Foran. We should lose one of Harper / Parker. Not sure Croker is required any longer. I'm also pretty sure no other team.wpuod pick him up as a Hooker. I'd re-sign Davey to a 2 year deal. The salary cap is again increasing.
The focus should be this, and in this order:
1. Marquee hooker (may be sorted after court);
2. Fullback depth (I'm looking Dragons way)
3. Marquee centre (admittedly Tuipulotus game changed my mind on that. He looks beast. So does Koula (who defended extremely well, which is what some suggested was his weakness).
DCE has reportedly taken a decent paycut. I hope Tom does (due to his health status) and Jake (given his contract is a bit of an albatross).
Lastly, thank you for debating / discussing in a healthy way. I appreciate it, as it's a marked difference from what's becoming the norm. I'm sorry if the grammar and spelling is off, but Frenchs Forest is having its fortnightly blackout and I'm on my phone.
