If both Asi and Gutho are out v Manly, BA seemed to think Asi is fine as their doctor claimed category 2, Sanders might be needed to debut as we have Talagi at 1. But if we do need him it will be for one week. Fogarty could have torn his bicep, now if that is the case they need a 7 as they do not have on in NSW cup. They would be desperate, so way i see it surely we can give them Sanders early in exchange for a back, a position they are loaded at. Many to choose from:
Xavier Savage
Nick Cotric
Albert Hopoate
Michael Asomua
And still have Kris, Timoko, Rapana, Schiller and Stewart. Canberra can afford to give up a back. I would push hard for Savage. They of course would try to give us Cotric or Hopoate. Canberra are in an odd spot for 2025 since Schiller is leaving to Newcastle and Rapana is retiring so two spots gone automatically. Cotric also will be moved on as his deal expires. Asomua will replace Schiller and Stewart is already replacing Rapana at 1. But that will leave just Hopoate as the back up. Canberra, rightfully so, might be precious who they give up. They are desperate for a Half and we are desperate for backs and speed.
Sanders granted is 19, Strange is also 19. Not a great mix, however Sanders is in Canberra's plans in the future. Maybe even moving Strange to Centre until Fogarty retires. Sanders also goal kicks so another tick in that direction. Canberra are in a finals window, now Fogarty could be gone til just before finals, Canberra may see Sanders as their best chance to stay relevant. Therefore if i was Parra, be ruthless and get quality.
Either Savage or Asomua. Asomua is more of a To'o type but faster. While Savage is just a burner. Now, i can see Poppa yelling at his moniter "They are not chess pieces" and true who is to say if Canberra agree to Savage trade he wants to come to Parramatta. Cotric would jump at the chance as it means he will play FG. Asomua might too to play FG. Savage might for a chance to be Fullback in future perhaps.
The backs market is so slim for the next few years, this is a great opportunity to get a Winger for the future. Xavier Savage or Michael Asomua would make a difference in our backfield for different reasons. Asomua will be a 150-200 metres a game Winger that can run too, Savage has the pace to cause mismatches.
Fogarty with a ruptured bicep will be out minimum 12-14 weeks. That is season for Canberra, similar to us with Moses. Sanders is already going there in 2025, so it is not like an out of nowhere stop gap. In their lower grades all they have is Adam Cook, primarily a Fullback by trade, played 1 NRL game in 2020 when Canberra rest players ahead of finals. Or they can do what they did tonight and have Simi Sasagi play 6, which he did at Newcastle, and have Strange play 7 when he is ideally a running 6. Ideally not what you want at 7. Sanders at least gives them hope til Fogarty is back. Be ruthless and dangle the carrot and make a deal where you can. Doesn't mean you have to settle for anything, if they offer Cotric and nothing more and we do not want him we simply walk away and keep Sanders in Cup. For a change we have leverage.
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Savage would be to best option, but doubt Stuart will let him go. He is so Slater like it's not funny, if he wants it. Still needs a bit of work in defence, reading the game and so on but that will come with experience.
He has gotten better this year. You are right, Stuart would like to keep him but at same time has flaws and he like Hopoate a bit and Rapana will come back at some point, Chevy Stuart has to stay at 1. Savage could be expendable. I mean Sanders is more important at this stage of the season for Canberra.
If i was Parra i would push massively for Savage, that would be my condition to Sanders and Canberra. If they wont budge try Asomua. Don't budge then don't release. We have at most 2 games before Moses is back, Sanders will rot in NSW cup til 2025 when he is at Canberra. Not like we need him, if Brown goes down we name Asi. So him in Cup is fine for us. Canberra though have nobody.
It would be a perfect trade for us, I would be so happy with that. Savage and Lomax in the same backline would be unreal. See what happens, hopefully a phone call to staurt has already been made
Letting a good talent go, well he is going anyway why not get something in return as oppose to letting him leave for nothing. Can fix our backline issue. We need one Winger, maybe a second to compete. Simonsson has shown he can do a decent job. Get Savage and all set. Plus have Richie Penisini, who if not for his ACL would have debuted by now, to play Wing also.
Simonsson 'decent job', really? The guy is barely first grade material.
He isn't all there, you can see the cogs spinning in his head.
Not saying being a professional athlete is easy, but there is so much more out there.
The only hope for Simonsson is a new coach, new system, simplified role.
I think Canberra could tell Simonsson wasn't going to cut it long term. That is why they let him go effective immediately even though he was still contracted for another couple of years with them. Similar with Waqa Blake, he had three years left with Penrith and they said Take Him.
Are you serious? Simmo has been pretty good for us.
They will no doubt ask for Sanders now as Kaeo Weeks is their back up half but he is more of a fullback. No point asking for Schiller since he is off to the knights next year. Pretty sure raiders will line up like the following next year with Schiler and Rapana leaving.
So the options are Cotric or Asouma as you say. I would definitely have Asouma. Has massive wraps on him. People say we need Sanders for depth but the truth is that, we cannot win the comp if DB or Moses are out regardless. So might as well get an outside backnow who is used to the clubs system.
That is a gun 1-5 with lot of potential in 2-4 and even Simmo.
Asomua may not be speedy but he would be that workhorse out the back we are lacking. He suits how BA wants to play, he would help those forwards. I would try hard to get Savage, i know it is a pipe dream but desperation can hit, Asomua can replace him too.
I forgot about Weekes, but he is a 6 anyway so he doesn't solve their issues either. Only issue with Asomua, 10 tries in 43 games as a Winger. Scored 1 try in 19 appearances last year. Not a great try scorer. Maybe it could be Canbera favoured their left side more.
Three club Swap.
Lomax Eels
Mooney Dragons
Sanders Raiders
good for everyone.
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