Our outside backs are clearly now the focus of this forum, and rightly so.
My belief is we have filled the squad with a bunch of players that, although they can have good moments, are just not consistent enough as a group, or perhaps not pushed enough by the guys vying for their spots to play consistent high quality football.
Weirdly, there's probably an argument for & against every one of the guys pushing for playing time.
Nofoaluma is the longest tenured Tigers player, and I'm of the strong belief clubs NEED those kind of guys in the playing group. Unfortunately his production is not what it used to be & we are not strong enough to carry players. I see him as our version of where Mansour was toward the end at Penrith. Still useful, but being pushed.
Tupou is the physical speciman we need. Probably the ace of our outside backs, to be fair. His defensive numbers are sadly similar to Nofoaluma's, which is to say- somewhere in the mid to high 70% range in effeciency (trust me- we have worse). He is the player with the most x-factor to his game though, without a doubt, and a keeper. I've argued he should be a centre, but I suspect he's a bit too quiet in his communication. He's not a liability under kicks, has some damaging runs in him- he's our #1 winger.
To'a- I've complained about his on-field demeanor in the past, but I'll put my hand up & say that in all honesty- he is easily our best centre. Defensively his numbers are sound. Better service would make him a better player too. Our #1 centre (at this point)
Kepaoa- Centre/Winger that is not only inconsistent in defence but also catching & effort areas. There is talent there to be unlocked, but released to play elsewhere or moved into the KOE squad & used solely in case of injuries would be a step in the right direction.
Naden- Another inconsistent performer with suspect defence. A much better attacking player though. But seems injury prone to boot. Used as a back-up Centre/Winger would be ideal. If he was the guy you bring in through a couple of injuries- the squad is probably strong at that point. as a starter- it shows how thin we really are.
Staines- believe it or not, by FAR the worst statistical defender in the squad with an average tackle efficiency at 66%. He is quick, but not a damaging runner. Can play fullback as well. Weird how there has been SO little critisism of Staines but his numbers are really quite poor, and at $500k a year to boot. There are cheaper options available that would be as effective. I honestly think he's better served elsewhere.
Reilly- Promising start. Very promising. Tackles quite nicely. Seems to find a gap quite well. This is not to say he is the answer. Just that in the depth-game, he's part of the puzzle now. Would definately prefer if he is KOE with a view to pushing To'a/whoever plays next to To'a.
Feledy- showed he was not quite ready to be considered as yet. A couple of decent runs, some rather glaring defensive misses. In a team that can't defend with authority...some work is required. He's got plenty of time & I think there is a player in there if developed right.
Doueihi- I think he is probably our best centre in the club. Injury is a concern- no doubting that. For all the critics- his defence is no worse than Naden. He is significantly better at linebreaks than nearly every other player in the backline however. And I don't know where any kind of attitude critisism comes from for Doueihi who has only ever shown the desire to see the Tigers do well. The idea of de-registering him for the whole of 2024 sounds interesting. Let him train & heal. Then have him come back in 2025 on a new deal (with the injury history in mind) to compete with the centre options & possibly take Naden's spot on the roster.
We lack a starting calibre centre & a winger to push Nofoaluma out of the starting role. Having a splash of the x-factor wouldn't hurt.
Letting Staines move on leaves 1 spot in the 30. I think we need to invest in 3 outside backs (Doueihi de-registration could assist) to give the club the depth & quality it needs.
Isaiah Tass is essentially the centre we need. Very good defender that also sets up his winger. MAYBE with Wighton going to Souths there is a chance. But he's not exactly the player good teams give up on.
Justin Olam has been mentioned & he can provide some impact tackles for certain. Age is a concern, as is the Storm's unwillingness to reinsert him into the lineup.
I've suggested Momorovski in the past, but in reality- I'm not certain he is an actual upgrade. Additionally, his defence is barely upgrading Naden.
Young players like Harley Smith-Shields are interesting, but we are reinforcing a young squad with more young, untested players at that point. If we are picking up young players, Paul Alamoti is my choice right away. In fact, he might be the guy I'd suggest regardless.
Billy Smith from the Roosters might be the other ideal pick-up, alongside Tass. Another good defensive centre, but those injuries in his past are slightly concerning.
Left field option to add "impact"- Konrad Hurrell. If Talakai at the Sharks can be effective, the original beast out wide could be too. Wouldn't necessarily help our defensive read issues...although he can pull off a clean hit on his day.
Apparently we are looking at Lobb as a winger from the Dragons. Physically he works. As a KOE player, T&T type- I see value.
Keao Weekes is free to negotiate. Weird player in some ways- he's a fullback, maybe a 5/8...I think he could learn wing & even centre. He looks like a player that might not have a specific role. In order to avoid falling into the trap Mbye, Doueihi etc find themselves in- get him to focus on one spot that gets him on the field. One thing for certain- he can move. I'd kind of prefer him as a centre I think where he can use his ballplaying a bit more than on the wing.
Xavier Savage is a genuine x-factor player. Pretty far down the pecking order at Canberra now. Can't really defend (Staines-like) but he absolutely can move. Given our issues scoring, I'd make allowances for his defence to unleash him on the opposition, particularly on set plays around the ruck or on wide sweeps. Upgrading his defence would make him so much more valuable.
Haze Dunster would be another name- I think he's Benji's cousin from memory. Those wing spots at Parramatta are pretty congested. Another player that can run.
My last name- Hymel Hunt from the Knights. Bigger type & more a strong defender. Can also play centre. I think there is more value in him than people give credit for. Not an explosive player, but very professional, popular & really defensively strong. Only a couple of years ago Wayne had him in Maroons camp. Injuries have held him back.
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