We have so far added three new signings for 2023. Josh Hodgson, J'Maine Hopgood and Jirah Momoisea. Compared to who we are losing; Reed Mahoney to Canterbury, Oregon Kaufusi to Cronulla, Ray Stone to Redcliffe, Tom Opacic to Hull KR, Marata Niukore to Warriors and Isaiah Papali'i to Wests (for now). So this really pushes us to lean on juniors and rookies coming through, Hodgson replaced Mahoney that is a straight swap. Hopgood is more of a Stone replacement in that he can play Lock and Second-Row. Momoisea is a Niukore type replacement in that he can play all forward positions bar hooker. Meaning we have not replaced Kaufusi, Opacic or Papali'i (for now). Not many options left either and with Brown coming off contract and Nathan Brown looking like moving on there is more spots open for 2023.
More likely the 30 man squad for 2023 would look like this for now.
1. Jake Arthur
2. Waqa Blake
3. Dylan Brown
4. Reagen Campbell-Gillard
5. Bryce Cartwright
6. Haze Dunster
7. Wiremu Grieg
8. Clint Gutherson
9. Josh Hodgson
10. J'Maine Hopgood
11. Shaun Lane
12. Makahesi Makatoa
13. Ryan Matterson
14. Jirah Momoisea
15. Mitchell Moses
16. Ofahiki Ogden
17. Junior Paulo
18. Will Penisini
19. Mitch Rein
20. Ky Rodwell
21. Sean Russell
22. Bailey Simonsson
23. Maika Sivo
That's it guarenteed so far for 2023. Now Papali'i looks likely to stay so that is 24. Elie El-Zakham could be an option along with Samuel Loizou or Zac Cini for another spot so 25. I cannot think of any other rookies to take a top 30 spot anytime soon. David Hollis is on a top 30 deal until 2023 but i believe they will try to move him on for some cap space as he has barely seen NSW Cup, being on a top 30 deal is not applicable for him, waste of a spot and money.
Usually 28 spots are done by round 1, maybe 29. So 5 more spots need to be filled, do we think they are all going to be within the club? Papali'i is one that will stay and take a spot but if we want cash to keep Brown, then we may need to rely on juniors such as Loizou, Pryke, Maugututia.
A few areas of concern, middle forward is one area i would try and look at, Ogden is replacing Kaufusi, but if Klemmer was say sacked and paid out by Newcastle, i would love him cheap as a bench forward. If not him, only names that are ok are Royce Hunt (staying in shire i believe), Matthew Eisenhuth and Herman Ese'ese, but none are better than what we already have.
Back-line is thin with Opacic going and Perham also off-contract and more likely leaving. One option i would look at would be Tommy Talau, here is why; he can play Wing, Centre, Fullback and Five-Eighth, has experience and is coming off an ACL tear meaning he will be cheap. Then if you want extra cover if Loizou is not ready or not good enough could look at Mawene Hiroti or Cristian Crichton as a break glass cheap option on the wing.
Halves with only JA is thin, Talau could be decent to train up as a 6, though more worth while having someone as a 14 type that can play 7 if desperate. Phoenix Crossland is one option, can play 6, 7 & 9. Though not great, has played FG and is handy to have hanging around. Brandon Wakeham is another option too, but don't want to spend too much on a back-up half with JA being no.1 back-up for 2023 at least. What would make sense is working Ethan Sanders into the development squad to lead into being a back-up or even 6 candidate if Brown moves on for 2024.
Fullback cover is a little concerning and no options in free agency, though Sean Russell will take that role i am certain.
Third hooker option, with Hodgson and Rein, could be worthwhile a spot in top 30 for a no.14, like i said Crossland or give Hands a debut in round 25 and see what you have, hopefully he can develop further.
Another edge also could be handy, El-Zakham would be a smart acquistion into the top 30, but adding another wouldn't hurt. Jack Murchie, Billy Burns, Chris Lewis and Tom Eisenhuth being good options, the latter being able to play Centre also.
For the last spots:
24. Papali'i (Hopefully)
25. El-Zakham
26. Centre/Winger
27. Utility
28. Middle Forward
29. Edge
30th spot waits til mid year depending on injuries anyway so wont bother with that. Any names anyone likes they think could snag a top 30 spot next year?
Replies
Where does Hands sit on your list LB? Do we know if Naiduki will be retained?
Well I'm just an average outside looking in with no inside knowing, I take it to how they are looking in NSW cup, are they being considered in NRL squads and contract. Naiduki I think is gone, 23 next year so might be late bloomer but when we had our winger crisis he wasn't even close to playing so he's good as gone.
Hands is an interesting one as he has shown versatility, playing hooker, half and Lock. That's what is keeping him around, if he debuts this year he will be extended for 2023, even if he doesn't he still has been considered in the squad from time to time. So I see him sticking around next year on development deal, I like him and think he is a "do whatever I can" player for the squad. I'd love for him to get a debut and be that 14 option next year
He Was also injued
He was not getting close anyway
I would look to sign Turpin as a backup hooker, I think reins best days are long gone and having two old hookers is a risk.
Then again that is why i prefer Hands, he will be way more cheaper than Turpin and can play more positions. Turpin wont cost minimum, Hands will.
Hands hasn't been able to hold down a position in reserve grade, sometimes it's a sign of good versatility, other times it's a sign he isn't good enough to hold down a position. Which is it?.
Tanner Boyd at the Titans has been doing some good things this year.
He'd be another option as backup hooker with potential to be a long term replacement for Reed.
No mate Matt Arthur will be parachuted in by round 10 no worries.
Jake Turpin could be a good signing as backup for when Hodgson inevitably breaks down.
Also I don't think you can count Papali'i in that list. A lot of things need to fall our way for that to happen. I think there is a 5% chance he will be playing for us and a 95% chance he will be playing at the Tigers.
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