A lot of talk has been about who the club is going to let go and who they'll replace them with. Here's my list of players I wouldn't let go and why:
Ben Smith: Plays like another Hindmarsh and with Hindmarsh gone come next season someone needs to fill the void. Smith is the most likely candidate given his work rate and ability to tackle anything that comes near him. Also useful in the centres in the case of an injury.
Justin Poore: Has been pretty quiet since arriving at Parra, mainly due to injury, he is beginning to re-discover his form of several seasons ago and is also being rock-solid in defence. Will only get better and deserves to prove it to the team.
Luke Burt: A Parramatta stalwart and legend who deserves to leave on his own terms. A prolific point scorer who knows how to finish a backline movement. Will not give in and will put his body on the line for the team. Knows how to win and can cover a range of positions in the backline. Will retire as Parramatta's highest ever point and try-scorer.
Shane Shackleton: A lot of people would like to see Shacks gone but the truth is, what did he do to Kearney? Shack puts in every game he plays and really impressed me last season after his comeback from the terrible hamstring injury in Round 1 2010. Won't stop trying, highlighted by chasing a kick against the Gold Coast last year and picking up the scraps to score the match-winning try. Can play either prop or second-row.
These guys, apart from Burt, are all forwards. With our forward stocks beginning to be depleted due to the retirement of Hindmarsh and the age of Fui, we'll need some experienced forwards who can fill the void and be a mentor to the younger guys coming through. Burt has been performing very consistently since being demoted to Wenty, he's already scored 56 points this season.
Guys I would let go:
Taulima Tautai: I have no idea why we re-signed him from Cronulla. He has bulked up to play in the forwards but I wouldn't put him in the top 8 forwards at the club.
Jordan Atkins: Hasn't impressed me alot since arriving at Parra last season. Has played for Wenty for the entire season so far and seems to be behind all the younger players. He's taking up salary cap space. And with arrival of Hopoate in 2014 as well as the coming of age of guys like Sio and Blair he will no longer be needed at the club.
Patrick O'Hanlon: He's a solid player and hasn't done much wrong but I just don't see anything special in him. He gets through his workload but that's about it. There are much more talented backrowers in the squad that could a better job than Patty. Better off putting the money towards someone like T-Rex or Segeyaro.
That's all my opinion and I'd like to see who you guys would and wouldn't let go.
Replies
Shacks
Poore
Burt
Casey
O Hanlon
Keep
Atkins
Tautai
That clears up a massive chunk of space and we could sign
T Rex
And a couple solid front rowers
Also segearo looks like a good player I would have a go for him
Plus we have to make space for hoppa coming
Well what can you say lol
Would let go:
McGuire
Tonga Brothers
O'Hanlon
Atkins
.
Would not:
Smith
Shacks
Burt
The only player I would disagree on is Atkins.
He really has not had much of a chance to show his wares but when he is in the FG side I reckon his contribution has been up there with the best of them from the Eels.
Very good under the high ball and willing to put his body on the line with the opposition charging down on him.
Strong runner of the ball and far superior in defence than a lot of the guys who are keeping him out of the FG side.
He may not be the fastest winger/centre/fullback but still knows how to finish a move.
i don't care who we let go anymore! we always make the wrong calls anyway
my only interest is who we are signing to replace everyone???
and its awfully quiet on that front - we are in massive trouble
I can't see us signing anyone of note unless we have a massive turn around in our win / loss ratio Brian.
And that required turn around should have started 2 weeks ago imo
We need to win the next 6 or 7 straight to get anyone's attention.