Closing into Round 1, concern is still around the backline. Only one player, Morgan Harper, has been signed as a backline option. He is not even guarenteed a start for Round 1. Now, O'Neill was boyish so to speak when discussing the squad with TCT. He mentioned they have filled 29 spots and have the money in order to sign a backline player, preferably an X-Factor type. The fact O'Neill stated the position they are after instead of just leaving it up the air says quite a bit as usually they leave a spot open for most of the year as it is. Though they seem intent on bringing in another back. But so far nothing. The biggest name they have been referenced to is Addo-Carr. Each day that passes, the less likely i feel it will happen. Olam just signed with Wests but it seems Parramatta are going to be picky on their recruitment for that starter and i do not mind that. No need to sign players for sake of it, needs to be a player who can walk right into the 17.
Though question remains, do we all think we will sign a back before Round 1? I say yes oddly enough, but they need to hurry up. 2016 they signed Jennings in mid January but difference was weeks prior there mentions of him leaving. JAC for example, nothing since October, it seems we baulked at the idea of letting Matto go.
So are starting the year with Russell on right Wing? Or are we getting a player of note beforehand? Anyone got any whispers haha.
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There are zero X factor players available especially in the backs.
I can't see JAC leaving the dogs now so I think we missed out on him.
Olam would've improved our backline but the Tigers snared him.
I believe we will leave a spot in the 30 just incase a player becomes available but the spot will most probably be taken by a junior.
Well Moretti will take the spot if not filled, but yeah kept open if someone pops up of course.
Sloan for example could be one if he cannot get a go at Dragons.
Dylan, Moses and Gutherson are superstars with X Factor.
I believe they were looking for an outside back with X factor which we currently don't have.
O'Neill said an outside back with X-Factor qualities. I think he is referring to speed more than anything.
Not many wingers considered X-factors, if any. But qualities like speed or ability to score from nothing like Addo-Carr for example is what you go for. Not saying we will get him, as even media say it's unlikely, but BA and O'Neill are searching for that more so.
I don't see us going for a Centre as Penisini and Talagi are the future there.
However I wouldn't count out Cotric either, could see him end up in a deal for Sanders or similar to
Printzy, Moses Brown and Gutherson, very good players but not X Factor......Ponga,Latrell, Munster, Turbo, Cleary, JAC,Haas, Tino ....Tomololol (spell) was and is now past it. The first 4 mentioned are unreliable but also undeniable ......Brown could become one? Hines is close as is Reece Walsh (more time yet though).
PS Nothing wrong with being a very good player.....Hayne and Ramrada are the only ones (x-factor) we have had in the last 15 years.
All due respect mate, I'd have our guys over Ponga, Latrell, or Munster at value for money.
Media will have you and others believe that this 'X Factor' is something adjacent to 'enigma' or some special thing.
Most people (including you) describe the players who do fuck all for 3 weeks and then do something incredible in a game that was littered with errors as X Factor.
Stephen Crichton is an X factor player. He works as hard as any other player, reliably faultless in defense and will score the try or make the play needed to break a deadlock.
That's Moses, Dylan and Gutherson. We just need one more, Fox would be an example of a player with X factor. You just listed players who cost more than what we have and do less than our boys.
Its all about definition Printzy, obviously defining something is always subjective but unless you can relate it to a long period say 60 years and when the words always have different meanings as generations pass by. Stephen Crichton is a good player, no X factor there.....
Its like racehorses, the word "champion" gets over used to buggery.....that's why we have only Hayne and Ramrada in the past 15 years.
Sterling was never X but Price, Kenny and Grothe were.....not to say Sterling wasn't a champion he was!......the x usually qualifies doing something that nobody else could do at a particular moment. It almost being a freak in doing something.
Crichton has won 3 comps in a row, 4 GFs in a row, made massive and crucial plays in every big game he has played in, 113 games before turning 23, he was a key piece in a Samoan squad that made it to the WCGF, he has a 84% win record (17 Losses) and from memory, a good goal kicking record. He is an athletic freak, can play 1-6, if you think he isn't an X-Factor type player, I'm sorry but I think you should re consider Pop. No offense but that is an unbelievable resume, he is on the path to undeniable greatness.
Edit: I'm not sure how to read the stats sites but it's either 100 games or 113 including finals, regardless it's still ridiculous
Simple x factors would not deliver those first 4 players if you relied on stats. You have defended Crichton where he doesn't need to be, he is a very good player but he is not an x factor yet and I will be surprised if he ever is.....I am not taking anything away from him. Same league as Moses and Gutherson.
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