Let's dream for a second and suggest we get Hopoate. Can I first say, if we do, then it will be an amazing piece of recruitment and I still hard to see it coming off, but let's work with the best case scenario.
Does Hopoate play fullback or centre?
There are three scenarios I see:
1. Hopoate 6. Hayne
1. Hayne 3. Hopoate
1. Barba 3. Hopoate 6. Hayne
Personally, I'm leaning towards the latter. Barba, except for being small, is exactly the type of fullback I'd like to see in our side. I think he also complements Hayne very well as a six, because he gives us a third playmaking option. To me, he's looking every bit as good as his brother and the respective stages of their career and as long as he can beef up a bit without losing his pace, I think he can be our long-term fullback. Maybe, though, he needs another year playing seniors and to further build up his body with a view to being a 2013 prospect?
At this stage of our recruitment process, I'd love to go into next year with this backline:
1. Barba 2. Burt 3. Hopoate 4. Reddy 5. Loko/Vaivai/Atkins 6. Hayne 7. Sandow
It won't hurt Loko to have another season as either first drop centre. As I've said I'd like to see us sign Joel on a two-year contract with 2012 using him as our first choice centre and then depending on the development of Loko and Vaivai him possibly moving out to the wing in 2013.
Replies
I dont like Sandow and Barba in the same line up. The other concern for me is the continual claim that 2010 is a rebuilding year yet the only two players in your back line who are currently in the same spot as your line up are Burt and Joel. This means we are wasting time this year.
For mine I would have Hayne at 1. He sleeps in patches and I think his ego and frustration at other mortals in the line up would get shown up in the 6 jumper.
Where does Ryan Morgan fit ? He seemed to have size and good foot work before his injury. Also dont forget Reni who could play an 18 month role for us in the 6 jumper. Plenty of options. Key is making the right choices, which we have not done over the past decade starting with Jason Cayless !!
So I'd have Hayne at 1 and agree Hopoate at 3. Im not sure Sandow is the man we need, if you look at the talent out wide we would have a selfish 50 minute 7 which is not what we need. For mine Maloney would be perfect.
I dont think we will get Hopa. I believe we get used by all the agents to talk up prices, Manly will move heaven and earth to keep him. And I dont want Sandow
I believe we will get one of SBW or Will Chambers after the RWC.
Chambers can not get a start for the Reds and has played with SK at Melbourne. These two wont announce their intentions till after the RWC as they wont want to bias their selection chances. Its why Joel cant get a contract
They both have links to SK and we have the cash. Against us with Chambers is he has to move to Sydney
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next