I think the importance of a good kicking game is underplayed. Sezar alone should go some way to helping with that. I think Sullivan isn't a terrible kicker either.
Key components need upgrading in the squad, but simple things like a good kick teamed up with a good kick chase will do wonders for our playing style.
I know our new halves are either too old, or too young to suit everyone, but I also think a complete reboot in our organisational thinking on-field isn't a bad thing. For whatever reason you believe, Luke Brooks didn't work. It was always clunky. Awkward to watch us attack when you watch how a depleted Sea Eagles attack & see the difference. New eyes on the field is needed & should at least produce different styles for the future.
We look slow. This could simply be because our players are...slow. Or it could be that our halves/playmakers are not playing with a structure that they could utilise. Again, good kicking & kick chase will potentially play us closer to the opposition line more often. Against the Cowboys (first time) we did not look slow. And whatever magic juice they drank before the game- their attacking system worked. I want an upgrade in speed as much as anyone. But, our NEED to add speedsters might be not as dire as we think. Tupou, Bula, Reilly, Naden, To'a etc...these guys are probably fast enough to be effective. Having one or 2 real speed guys wouldn't hurt though.
The coaching staff & recruitment staff need to either promote, play or hire guys that will put in the extra 1% plays. Kick chase- can't promote that enough. Until our good young players (whoever they end up being) are established in 1st grade, we will probably be a lower skilled team. So effort is how we need to compete. It's for this reason that Bateman, Klemmer & Papali'i are important to this squad. Papali'i, despite recent critisism, is actually one of our better 1% players. Seyfarth, our new born giraffe, is a 1% guy. Lualili'i looks to be one too. Less Aitasi James, more Seyfarth required.
Whoever gets added out wider needs to be 'safe'. Decent defence, can catch, no weird flick passes. Add speed, for sure, but not at the risk of the player being 25% exciting & 75% heart attack material.