: Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:44 pm
Highlander wrote:
Everybody has chipped in on this now. I would prefer to have 2 centres at the club who are primarily centres. Then all the 2nd row men who can cover centres will be just that - cover. I don't really think that starting a season with one specialist centre and already with a 2nd row guy covering is a good option.
But - availability, wage structure, finances, scouting will all have a part to play in finding these elusive centres.
I am happy to wait to see if there is any post world cup availability. Then , if not, we would have to make do and see if Crookes can step up (without setting him back confidence wise) or if there were any mid season options.
I agree with most of that. And before I go on i'll make it clear that I would ideally like another top class Centre, another top class prop and cover at half, and I cant agree with signing more forwards when our current first and reserve grade have plenty of forwards but a lack of quality in depth in the backs.
However, trying to be glass half full, if we as a club are serious about promoting our own juniors now and there just isnt the right quality available for the right deal, then crookes and to a lesser extent Johnson might as well be used extensively this coming season.
We start with Sykes and Nero, but with the intention of playing Crookes and Johnson at times throughout the season. If we signed another older Centre and still started with Sykes and Nero then Crookes and Johnson would be one further back in the queue.
We dont know if Crookes will cut it at SL level yet, and we wont untill he gets a run of games. As we stand this is exactly what he'll get next year. And if the percieved wisdom is we might struggle to make the playoffs, then we might as well struggle to make the playoffs by playing some younger lads who could really benefit. (i can see James being recalled sooner rather than later from fax as well ala Kopczak)
Plus, I might be the only one, but I thought Nero played well enough in the last three games of last season at Centre (certainly better than Hape did at the start of the year!) and with more confidence and a full off season knowing hes first choice Centre rather than 2nd row/bit part Centre he could step up.
