Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 7:23 am  

scarrie wrote:

Smith has mentioned about not blocking progress of young players before and I wonder if they now see Harman as the better bet for the backup half role going forward.

I think you are right (or at least hope you are), McNamara's place should be take by the likes of Medforth and Harman.

Still need a replacement for Trueman (squad player like Hampshire) and Clifford (quota place), I've read that we have used our last quota spot on a FB, which doesn't make sense with Litten, Hoy and the availability of a few decent non quota FB's (Walker, Hodgson etc).

On Swift, I'd say he is near impossible to replace like for like unless we use a quota spot, so I think we have to sacrifice that position and say we will be weaker on that wing, but strengthen the pack.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 7:47 am  

Raggytash wrote:

With 5 wingers on the books, it would be crazy to add any more in terms of salary cap management. If Smith could turn around Darnell's form, there's no reason he can't get one of the other 4 playing well.

Darnell McIntosh
Liam Tindall
Mitieli Vulikijapani
Harvey Barron
Lewis Martin

Doubt Mitch will get a new contract - always injured can't remember the last time i saw him play.
Agree Smith has improved McIntosh, - adequate, but hardly a top class winger

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:58 am  

westdock boy in oz wrote:

Doubt Mitch will get a new contract - always injured can't remember the last time i saw him play.
Agree Smith has improved McIntosh, - adequate, but hardly a top class winger

Gotta agree , the last time I can recall Mitch was against HKR, when we got nilled, he was one of the few having a good go, but went off injured , I think.it is time to promote youth; Barron has had some game time, has pace and may develop over preseason, with Tindall set for the other side. We definitely need the halfback issue sorting , though, given Truman's injury and Clifford's departure. If we get the right man, we can use Hoy in the halves, but Hoy needs to work on his preseason and get fit himself, or we could be in the position where the pack marches us downfield, but with no orchestrated attack to finish sets.
Could be cheeky and ask if Mikey Lewis will do a Cooke and resign at Rovers, but I get the distinct impression his heart lies there now :On a more serious and realistic note, Hampshire could be a good call, not going to suddenly become a game breaker, but he can cover until Truman is ready to return.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 9:46 am  

We saw a load of kids get promoted to the first team this year but haven't seen much of them. Are any of them SL quality? Or are they just filling out the team for training drills and reserve matches? Hard to tell. Does anyone know how they are thought of at the club?

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:12 am  

Dave K. wrote: Yeah heard that too, not sure what they see in him. They do need to add some depth won't have a season with so few injuries again and hopefully run a reserve team next season. This is a start I guess. HERE

Dave K. wrote: Yeah heard that too, not sure what they see in him. They do need to add some depth won't have a season with so few injuries again and hopefully run a reserve team next season. This is a start I guess. HERE

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:14 am  

[quote="Dave K."]I think you are right (or at least hope you are), McNamara's place should be take by the likes of Medforth and Harman.

Still need a replacement for Trueman (squad player like Hampshire) and Clifford (quota place), I've read that we have used our last quota spot on a FB, which doesn't make sense with Litten, Hoy and the availability of a few decent non quota FB's (Walker, Hodgson etc).

On Swift, I'd say he is near impossible to replace like for like unless we use a quota spot, so I think we have to sacrifice that position and say we will be weaker on that wing, but strengthen the pack.[/quote

As Clarky said after the game on Saturday, we have a full back lined up as the plan was to play Hoy and Trueman in the halves next year.

I agree, you think it would make sense to target someone like Hampshire or Walker and go for an NRL halfback.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:33 am  

https://www.zerotackle.com/two-clubs-sh ... on-161775/ Dragons and Bulldogs after Hutchison Article mentions Watson likely to stay at the Roosters

https://www.zerotackle.com/two-clubs-sh ... on-161775/ Dragons and Bulldogs after Hutchison Article mentions Watson likely to stay at the Roosters

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:34 am  

[quote="RockNRolla"]

Any names in the frame for the full back

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:35 am  

[quote="RockNRolla"]

The full back plan doesn't fill me with much confidence tbh. Maybe we've run into of options for a genuine replacement for Clifford.

It seems a really risky move to me

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:47 am  

Hoy and Trueman are too similar to be playing together in the halves, both runners rather than organisers. We need an organising 7 who is a leader too as I feel with losing Clifford and potentially Houghton and Taylor, we're losing a lot of our talkers on the pitch