It's easy to feel critical after so many losses. So everybody's points are valid regarding the squad. We are getting shown up. I think it's actually become apparent where our holes really are now since the forward pack was upgraded.
My take, for what it's worth:
Step 1 in getting the forwards upgraded enough to be competitive is pretty much done. There is enough senior talent in the squad & with still a few very promising young players to add to the mix, I honestly believe we are in position to have one of the strongest forward groups in the NRL. Klemmer, Utoikamanu, Pole, Twal, Blore, Seyfarth, James & with Jacob Miller coming through- our available Prop rotation is beyond strong. Papali'i, Bateman, Tumeth, Matamua, Faagutu, Lauititi'i- our backrow might be slightly light, maybe 1-2 more experienced players short, but a couple of those young guys coming through very soon are VERY exciting. And of course, at hooker, Api & Tallyn Da Silva are the now & future of the position. Simpkin is cleary the 3rd best option & isn't terrible as a #3, but there is a noticable slow down of our play with him on the field. Perhaps better halves would help him out?
Step 2 has to be getting the backline sorted out. The few positives- Bula is outstanding. Tupou is promising (might be a centre playing wing..). To'a isn't out of place in the squad, but has a few brain fades. Feledy is promising & might need to be fast-tracked. Galvin & the other promising youngsters are, well, very promising. And this is where the issues start. Because every other outside back is either not up to it, replaceable, or off contract. You can't replace an entire backline, but in our case....you could at least make the argument! Charlie Staines should be retained. I don't think he's amazing, but he IS solid, and offers some versatility. I'd retain Wakeham, I feel there IS a player in there, but he's unpolished. Might never be more than a reserve but they still hold value. Given the....quality...of our backs, we still need Adam Doueihi. Even if it's as a centre. Until we have better, he is potentially our best strike outside back. I'd also retain Daine Laurie as a 5/8, back-up fullback. I think he has to be used as a reserve until he develops, but again- there is potential there & we are a rather non-potential heavy group. Of the guys we currently have, I think Naden will be sticking around. He's on a longer contract anyway, so he is with us regardless. He needs to be depth, not relied on as a starter. He's too inconsistent for that. Everyone else is pretty much expendable. Kepoua could have value, but it NEEDS to be as a depth player looking to push into 1st grade, not the other way around. We need to offload Nofualuma, Will Smith & Talau & Brooks are already gone. Reilly...probably doesn't hurt us too badly as far as contracts go.
A complete re-vamp of our halves structure is required. We need 2 starters & a back-up. Wakeham, Laurie, Galvin & Doueihi should be considered as depth options in the halves. We have discussed the options to death. Whoever they end up being, it needs to be starters at 6 & 7, plus a guy considered serviceable enough to step in if either starter doesn't work out.
Fullback is set with Bula, Laurie, Staines, To'a & Doueihi all capable.
Centre. I've been suggesting 2 new centres. Realistically- we need one. But, they have to be defensively sound. Brad Parker is the name I keep circulating, but to be fair, Paul Alamoti could be considered too. Parker does fit the brief though. Both? To'a needs to be pushed by Naden & then Doueihi (who I'm not giving up on). Feledy needs to sponge off Parker. The wildcard is the rumour of Skelton. If he is up to it, he could fill the role right away. The important thing is still- defensively sound. Alamoti is tempting.
The wingers are the same. We have to find guys that offer sound defensive play, both tackling & in kick diffusing. Staines & Tupou are the options from within the club. This is where at least 2 new additions could be had. It would be great if we found wingers who are good attacking threats too. Those valuable metres found out of dummy half in those first couple of hit-ups after a kick are vital. I still don't mind Okubor as an option. Big body which we don't have. I think Kaito suggested Veaga from Manly- he could help too.
What I noticed last night is that the Knights are really not that much better than us. Bad defensive reads kill us out wide. Lack of crisp decision making kills us in attack. Get those things improved, and instead of the Knights being just outside the 8, it could just as easily be the Tigers.
