For 2023 we have a host of off-contract players; Waqa Blake, Jakob Arthur, Shaun Lane, Sean Russell, Nathan Brown, Mitch Rein, Maika Sivo, Will Penisini, Bryce Cartwright, Wiremu Greig, David Hollis and Dylan Brown.
Now i will place them into categories:
Must Keep: Dylan Brown
Nice To Keep: Shaun Lane, Waqa Blake, Will Penisini, Sean Russell
Meh: Maika Sivo, Mitch Rein, Wiremu Greig, Bryce Cartwright
Let go: David Hollis (who?!?!), Nathan Brown
Replies
Hollis is on minimum wage so may as well take up a spot and hopefully continue to develop into someone who can be a back up. Greig wouldn't be on much more than Hollis so same with him.
I'd be keeping Lane, Blake, Penisini and Russell ...but not at stupid money.
Sivo will be dependent on how well Dunster returns or how well someone develops..
Nathan Brown will be gone. Rein and Cartwright - not fussed either way but they need to serve a purpose rather than just be here.
The only issue with Hollis is he is not even close to being considered for FG. Being in top 30 it is a waste of a spot and money. Yes minimal but would rather put El-Zakham on that money in the squad.
Can't agrue against El-Zak, we need a few of these minimum wage people so we can buy the elusive top shelf X factor player ...so, as the girl in the Old El Paso ad says "Why not have both"
LB, I assume from this you mean players that are off contract at the end of the 2023 season?
Dylan Brown is must keep. If it came to the crunch I'd keep him over Moses and look for a Townsend or Reynolds type halfback.
I'd also keep the following:
Shaun Lane - been one of our best this season.
Penisini - has more upside than others.
Waqa Blake - only at the right price, whatever that might be. There is more upside in players like Sean Russell and Haze Dunster.
Sean Russell - this kid knows how to score a try, unlike someone like Simmonsson.
Sivo - We've seen the difference he's made since coming back this year. Must keep him.
Greig - I think he shows some promise. I'd keep him over Hollis.
Yes MeelK, those who are off contract in 2023 and are ready to talk to rivals on November 1 this year.
I'd only consider keeping the coach.
They players can all F off.
A lot is going to depend on how we finish, whether BA is sacked or throws in the towel ( highly doubt that ). Of that list LB I am thinking : BROWN and LANE. Not fussed with the rest. Not a lot out there to replace them with. Sad sad times.
agree with keeping Brown a must, extend Blake and Lane on the same coin, up grade Russell and extend Penisini as for the rest release the lot.