With the impending recruitment of 18yo Latu Fainu (a running & ball-playing 5/8), everything is pointing towards us recruiting a game-managing & experienced halfback as our main field kicker.
I would be 99% confident that Benji will want someone (for at least 2 seasons) who can provide experience & direction along with Api to a young spine.
So with a shortage of halves on the market or likely to be released, I would not be surprised now if it's one of these two:
- Jack Cogger (I can see the club trumpeting the Cogger family links to the Magpies)
- Jake Clifford
Now some will criticise Jake & rightly so but if the club does it's due diligence into his mental space, he could come into strong calculations. He is mid 20s, has NRL experience, can direct a team around the park, huge kicking game, goal kicker & read Hull fans' comments on him, they reckon he is the best halfback in SL atm & the best ever for Hull. Maybe Sheens & Benji feel they can get the best out of him with Api.
I would have added Lachlan Lam but I don't think he is the game-managing type we are likely after but I am probably wrong.