first off we have to be realistic about where we’re at. not many players are going to come across so we’re going to have to try and offer medium term security to those off contract, or to try and attain players looking for first grade opportunities.
Cronulla have more middle forwards than god. Oregon Kaufusi has a mutual option for 2025 and is therefore worth having a chat to, and Toby Rudolf has links to the Richardson family. Royce won’t come here given Moses is his manager, but Jack Williams is off contract and would be a smart acquisition.
Mat Croker’s off contract at Newcastle and is a high workrate type that I think we need. Hetherington is a huge risk and while I’d prefer to stay away, we may have no choice. Bunty Afoa brings strike off the pine and is currently well down the pecking order at the Warriors. I’d be enquiring there.
I’d be looking at giving Porter a full time deal for next year as well given he does a job and has a stack of NSW Cup experience.
Horsburgh’s a good shout, but I’m fairly sure he wants to head back to QLD.
England really doesn’t have anyone right now that fits what we need. guys like Knowles, Dupree, Lees and George Delaney all get spoken about but there are question marks around all of them, mainly because they’re quite small in stature and we already have guys like Pole, Sione and Kit in and around the squad.
quite frankly none of this is glamourous but this is the nature of the game. Richardson will push for players to sign on for 2026 come November 1 and pursue early releases, but we still need to cover for 2025. unfortunately the names I mentioned above are probably the realistic expectations we can have.
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