Friends,
I noticed some rumblings and thought we could carve out a little room to consider our options if MM moves on.
Just before we go any further, my best case scenario would be resigning a committed MM to a long term deal.
Reminder: As always we are all entitled to our opinions but I encourage you to try and focus on the positive thoughts, direct your energy to the good stuff my friends, keep your blood pressure down. I learnt that skill recently :)
JA.
I’m not exactly a J-Arty purist by any means, however I do believe he has a future in the NRL. That future may be as a long tenured back up/NSW Cup veteran but I think we won’t know unless he gets a 4-6 week stretch at the start of the year in 2024. If this doesn’t happen there will always be a cloud of uncertainty that helps no one.
His skill set is not a like for like replacement for MM but he is fit and has grit. He has some great skills but if he finds success it will be his attitude that wins over the faithful.
Either way I hope we give him a legit opportunity.
Asi.
I’ve harped on about this fella quite a bit lately so I’ll save you all from my continued fandom. He is a legit first grader, just needs to put it together.
Potentially Centre may be his best position so hopefully that’s where we see him this year. If he is successful there, next year he might be promoted into the halves. If MM stays I’d say Asi is our Centre solution!
Gutherseven.
Bear with me here.
He has his detractors on this site but I actually think he has a future in the halves. Like JA it’s not a like for like replacement, but he definitely has some X Factor.
If you want to back any Fullback to commit and do what it takes to move into a halfback role, my money would be on Gutho. He has the mental capacity and communication skills required. Shows genuine balls kill improvement year on year. Fit as a fiddle and bleeds blue and gold.
This would give Sean Russell his chance at FB.
Aidan Sezer.
Keen to hear what you all think of him. To me he is an underrated game manager. Ties to a number of our current players. Can get a job done, which is all we need.
He is having success in the Super League which is what you need to see from a returning NRL veteran.
He would be my pick of the litter as he would come on a discounted rate.
What do you all think about Aidan?
Now.
Mitchell is elite but if he wants to move on, we shouldn’t stop him.
The 900 k - 1.3 mil we have saved up for Mitchell starts to look super juicy! As all the above options would put us in a box seat to sign a genuine star or rising star. There are some awesome options on the market for 2024.
Take into account by then our young and talented forward pack will more than likely be firing on all cylinders.
Stars and their approximate market value…
Bradman Best. 500k
Sebastian Kris. 500k
Suaalii or Manu. 800k each
Jayden Campbell. 400k
Tolutau Koula. 350-400k
Bud Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan. 300k each
Some smokey options…
Cheap, young and unproven players with ties to the B&G.
Jonah Pezet or Kade Dykes.
Let me know your thoughts! Let's get the creative juices flowing!
Replies
I think JA is the favourite for a few reasons.
Firstly he is cheap, secondly came through as a genuine 7, thirdly he knows the club and players and won't need time to adjust.
Is he the best option? No, but it makes sense whether it is right or not.
Haven't seen the news today?
I am Okay if Moses chooses to go--{would prefer him to stay} I think there will always be other good options on the horizons
Gutho would be good in the halves.
JA ??? I don,t like the way he was managed into first grade over other more deserving personnel.. That is something that will always hinder his acceptance into first grade--for me at least
Biggest issue for me is the style of play and A-plus team connectivity we can manage.If we get that right everything will fall into place
If Moses goes they will be looking to push Ethan Sanders forward to be junior partner to DBrown in 24.
I think JA would need a massive year to get the nod.
Sanders will turn 20 in 2024 ,Dylan Brown was old enough to play first grade at 20 .
Brown was actually 18-19 when he debuted in 2019
My personal opinion Jake is not remotely ready for 1st grade. He needs more time in the lower grades to develop. In my opinion he's currently too slow and doesn't read the game correctly.
If Mitch Moses does move in after next year I have no idea who the next best option would be. Aiden Sezer would a very good pick up if he's available and wants to play for Parra. I just hope Jake is not the next Eels 7 otherwise it spells disaster and will put the Eels backwards not forwards
No MM not good
but DB half Gutho 5/8 and chase Manu/Suuali/Crichton as fullback and look for an exciting up and coming dummy half to supplement and ultimately replace Hodgson.
If JA develops we can revert to Dylan at 5/8 and as Gutho ages ..... he is a perfect number 14
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Fake account.