Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 9:04 am  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

I understand that we have two remaining quota places left. Please correct me if I'm wrong. One will be used for a full back and the other I'm guessing will be a centre.

For me I'd be very satisfied with Sailor and Lafai/Leutele. Any players of lesser quality would be disappointing as I find some of the players already signed pretty underwhelming.

What are your realistic hopes and expectations?

I think Sailor will be one. Wouldn't be surprised to see Tese Niu - both players that Cartwright will have coached

So the side could look like this:

Sailor
Briscoe
Hardaker
Niu
Martin
Trueman
Abdull
Ese'Ese
Cust
Sao
Holmes
Cartwright
Asiata

Lane
Balmforth
Fash
Ashworth

That would leave depth players such as Moy, Barron, Aydin, Charles, Staveley, Jebson, Litten and players such as Armstrong and Wainhouse who haven't featured yet due to injury.

I think we do need a couple of backs, perhaps Dawson will step up, and rumours of the York winger could be true

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 9:25 am  

Irregs#16 wrote:

I think Sailor will be one. Wouldn't be surprised to see Tese Niu - both players that Cartwright will have coached

So the side could look like this:

Sailor
Briscoe
Hardaker
Niu
Martin
Trueman
Abdull
Ese'Ese
Cust
Sao
Holmes
Cartwright
Asiata

Lane
Balmforth
Fash
Ashworth

That would leave depth players such as Moy, Barron, Aydin, Charles, Staveley, Jebson, Litten and players such as Armstrong and Wainhouse who haven't featured yet due to injury.

I think we do need a couple of backs, perhaps Dawson will step up, and rumours of the York winger could be true

That looks pretty good but I've had Staveley over Lane and Aydin for Fash.

I still don't get the Cust signing. I would have thought an out and out hooker would have been a better bet rather than someone who has only played there occasionally. We have Bourouh, Balmforth and a couple of academy players waiting in the wings plus Moy can play there as well.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:26 am  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

I still don't get the Cust signing. I would have thought an out and out hooker would have been a better bet rather than someone who has only played there occasionally. We have Bourouh, Balmforth and a couple of academy players waiting in the wings plus Moy can play there as well.

I still think we might try offload Trueman to Wakey, they'll need a better half next year, Trueman hasn't been brilliant for us and he's stupidly on marquee money, if we release him, the Cust signing makes a lot more sense.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:43 am  

Sailor would be ideal as he’s got the pace we need and can play fullback or 6. I think he’s still contracted though and maybe still fancies his chance of NRL minutes so won’t be an easy deal to do. Think he could have a Kelly like impact in SL and possibly even better suited to playing 6 over here, would allow Moy/Litten a bit of game time at fullback.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:56 am  

Steve0 wrote:

I still think we might try offload Trueman to Wakey, they'll need a better half next year, Trueman hasn't been brilliant for us and he's stupidly on marquee money, if we release him, the Cust signing makes a lot more sense.

That makes a lot of sense.

Signing a player as a marquee who had yet to fulfil his early potential with a worrying injury history was one more example of how poorly the cap was managed.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 11:37 am  

Yeah, I can see Trueman being allowed to leave. Would still be disapointed if Cust is seen as the replacement 6 though. Next to Abdull, we need an explosive, quick number 6

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 12:12 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

I still think we might try offload Trueman to Wakey, they'll need a better half next year, Trueman hasn't been brilliant for us and he's stupidly on marquee money, if we release him, the Cust signing makes a lot more sense.

Dream scenario..
Trueman to Wakey.
Sao off-quota. 5 years rule.
Return of Clifford.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 12:21 pm  

weaver93 wrote:

Dream scenario..
Trueman to Wakey.
Sao off-quota. 5 years rule.
Return of Clifford.

I like it. In fact I like it a lot !!

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 12:25 pm  

No point in getting rid of Trueman unless we have a replacement signed up and replacing him without a quota spot would be near impossible. Unless we kept Walker or went with Litten/Moy/Hardraker as full backs.

I'd keep him, see how he goes with better players and a hopeful off season. Think Charles will be ready for 2026, so got a ready made replacement.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Jul 09, 2024 12:31 pm  

I think Trueman will go decent next year IF (and I know it's asking a lot based on previous) he can complete this season then have a full pre season for the first time since joining us.
Posted on the game thread but I really do think he still looks nervous when running the ball and going into contact. I think ability wise he's more than good enough but until he gets confidence back in his body we won't see near the best of his ability.
It's just a big gamble with him. If we do get a chance to offload him elsewhere then I wouldn't blame the club for doing it.