2025 Recruits and Team Depth: Expectations, Predictions & Key Positions.

I see a future where we are:

1. Bula
6. Large
7. Latu Fainu
9. Da Silva


And that excites me.
Latu is the hard one to make fit. He is a gun and I can't wait to see him at his best. Realistically Luai has a mortgage on 7 for the next 3-4 years at least, but Latu's future is really decided on what happens with Galvin. 3 most likely scenarios:

1) Galvin walks next year and Latu takes the 6 alongside Luai
2) Galvin transitions to lock and Latu takes the 6
3) Galvin makes 6 his own alongside Luai. Latu either plays a utility role or moves clubs

Either way it is hard to find a spot for Large in the halves for the next 5 years. There is ofcourse the chance Latu can't get past his injuries AND Galvin walks, which would be disastrous. Large's best pathway to first grade over the next few years is at fullback.
 
Latu is the hard one to make fit. He is a gun and I can't wait to see him at his best. Realistically Luai has a mortgage on 7 for the next 3-4 years at least, but Latu's future is really decided on what happens with Galvin. 3 most likely scenarios:

1) Galvin walks next year and Latu takes the 6 alongside Luai
2) Galvin transitions to lock and Latu takes the 6
3) Galvin makes 6 his own alongside Luai. Latu either plays a utility role or moves clubs

Either way it is hard to find a spot for Large in the halves for the next 5 years. There is ofcourse the chance Latu can't get past his injuries AND Galvin walks, which would be disastrous. Large's best pathway to first grade over the next few years is at fullback.
Lots of water to go under the bridge still but I think there are a few ways to accommodate everyone you want to keep, assuming we don't do anything too stupid with the salary cap over the next couple years.
You can afford to keep Latu at $500k if he's fit and playing a utility type role, think he could handily cover 6,7,9,13 when fully fit (think Doueihi goes season after next anyway).
Galvin and Luai keep the halves and Onitoni can bide time in the centres plus act as cover for halves + fullback.
If we start winning games consistently I think you will see a bunch of these guys signing more modest contracts for longer terms.
 
Latu is the hard one to make fit. He is a gun and I can't wait to see him at his best. Realistically Luai has a mortgage on 7 for the next 3-4 years at least, but Latu's future is really decided on what happens with Galvin. 3 most likely scenarios:

1) Galvin walks next year and Latu takes the 6 alongside Luai
2) Galvin transitions to lock and Latu takes the 6
3) Galvin makes 6 his own alongside Luai. Latu either plays a utility role or moves clubs

Either way it is hard to find a spot for Large in the halves for the next 5 years. There is ofcourse the chance Latu can't get past his injuries AND Galvin walks, which would be disastrous. Large's best pathway to first grade over the next few years is at fullback.
Large to play fullback and Bula to the centres, problem solved.
 
Latu is the hard one to make fit. He is a gun and I can't wait to see him at his best. Realistically Luai has a mortgage on 7 for the next 3-4 years at least, but Latu's future is really decided on what happens with Galvin. 3 most likely scenarios:

1) Galvin walks next year and Latu takes the 6 alongside Luai
2) Galvin transitions to lock and Latu takes the 6
3) Galvin makes 6 his own alongside Luai. Latu either plays a utility role or moves clubs

Either way it is hard to find a spot for Large in the halves for the next 5 years. There is ofcourse the chance Latu can't get past his injuries AND Galvin walks, which would be disastrous. Large's best pathway to first grade over the next few years is at fullback.
People suggesting Latu to lock is pretty on the money.
If you watch him closely he throws a good ball but he plays very square at the line and isn’t afraid to take a hit. His defence is decent to hold up in the middle and has a similar physique to two of his three brothers who are also middle players.
Could be a long term option for us after holding down the 14 for a while.
I can see a time where Benji will get criticised similarly to that of Payton when he played Robson, Cotter and Granville in the same side and the media said you’ve named 3 hookers in your team.
But realistically into next year
A 9 of Api,
14 of TDS and
17 of Latu can work!
 
Latu is the hard one to make fit. He is a gun and I can't wait to see him at his best. Realistically Luai has a mortgage on 7 for the next 3-4 years at least, but Latu's future is really decided on what happens with Galvin. 3 most likely scenarios:

1) Galvin walks next year and Latu takes the 6 alongside Luai
2) Galvin transitions to lock and Latu takes the 6
3) Galvin makes 6 his own alongside Luai. Latu either plays a utility role or moves clubs

Either way it is hard to find a spot for Large in the halves for the next 5 years. There is ofcourse the chance Latu can't get past his injuries AND Galvin walks, which would be disastrous. Large's best pathway to first grade over the next few years is at fullback.
1.Bula
4. Galvin
6. Large
7. Luai
13. Latu

Sorted lol
 
1.Bula
4. Galvin
6. Large
7. Luai
13. Latu

Sorted lol
I like Galvin at centre, actually put it out there at the start of the year. Much like Burtons transition into first grade.

I think the horse has bolted however because he wasnt managed into first grade properly. My sense is he will either be play in the halves or not sign a new contract.
 
Onitoni Large to fullback, Bula and Makasini on our left, one in the centres, the other on the wing.
Galvin stays at 5/8 but playing as the more dominant on the ball playmaker with Luai at 7 chiming in wider of the ruck like he does when at his best.
Latu Fainu to initially play as our regular 14 mixing his game time between a first receiver style of 13 and also time at dummy half giving Api a rest.
This does not mean Latu is not developing his game as a halve as he will be the first choice to step in whenever Galvin or Luai are unavailable with the aim for him to be Galvin’s permanent halves partner after Luai’s contract expires.
Da Silva also getting his fair share of game time interchanging as our NRL 14 with Latu and playing as our starting 9 when Api is unavailable. Resting Api much more often when he has niggling injuries to manage his body better than we have been.
Problem solved, let our dynasty begin.
 
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I like Galvin at centre, actually put it out there at the start of the year. Much like Burtons transition into first grade.

I think the horse has bolted however because he wasnt managed into first grade properly. My sense is he will either be play in the halves or not sign a new contract.
Yes probably. Club was likely held to ransom a bit and promoted him early as a show of good faith so he stayed here.
 
I like Galvin at centre, actually put it out there at the start of the year. Much like Burtons transition into first grade.

I think the horse has bolted however because he wasnt managed into first grade properly. My sense is he will either be play in the halves or not sign a new contract.
Comparing Galvin to Burton speed wise is like comparing a racehorse to a Shetland pony .....
 
Comparing Galvin to Burton speed wise is like comparing a racehorse to a Shetland pony .....
More saying that Burtons ball playing and decision making werent great when he came into grade. He got a feel for first grade in the centres, now his ball playing has improved dramatically this year

Anyway, moot point. Its not going to happen
 
I'm not trying to be critical of Galvin ....but he needs to see a sprint coach in the off season
If you rated him against the top 17 5/8s ....speed wise he is in the bottom 4
Agree with the speed. About as fast as a slow backrower at the moment.
 
I like Galvin at centre, actually put it out there at the start of the year. Much like Burtons transition into first grade.

I think the horse has bolted however because he wasn't managed into first grade properly. My sense is he will either be play in the halves or not sign a new contract.
From what I have seen of Large, he looks the most capable defensively out of him, Galvin & Bula.
He plays 12 in union, usually one of the stronger defenders on the park, and he tackles well, albeit a bit more textbook "union" style he is strong in defence.
 
I see a future where we are:

1. Bula
6. Large
7. Latu Fainu
9. Da Silva


And that excites me.
Bula is not a lock at the back. Large offers far more in attack IF he can handle the defensive and communication side of the job.

Bula to move back to the wing/centres strengthens our backline, albeit we paid him way too much.

Da Silva also not a lock at hooker. I reckon Hayward may pip him. Healthy competition is good.
 
Bula is not a lock at the back. Large offers far more in attack IF he can handle the defensive and communication side of the job.

Bula to move back to the wing/centres strengthens our backline, albeit we paid him way too much.

Da Silva also not a lock at hooker. I reckon Hayward may pip him. Healthy competition is good.

I think your last line may prove correct. Good problem to have, however personalities can have a lot to do with a squad make up. Might be easier to keep the guy who half the squad grew up with as opposed to the youger bloke.
 
Bula is not a lock at the back. Large offers far more in attack IF he can handle the defensive and communication side of the job.

Bula to move back to the wing/centres strengthens our backline, albeit we paid him way too much.

Da Silva also not a lock at hooker. I reckon Hayward may pip him. Healthy competition is good.
Fullback pays more cash but Large looks like the old fashion rugby league inside centre. Strong defender, great passing, kicking, excellent pace.
 
Latu is the hard one to make fit. He is a gun and I can't wait to see him at his best. Realistically Luai has a mortgage on 7 for the next 3-4 years at least, but Latu's future is really decided on what happens with Galvin. 3 most likely scenarios:

1) Galvin walks next year and Latu takes the 6 alongside Luai
2) Galvin transitions to lock and Latu takes the 6
3) Galvin makes 6 his own alongside Luai. Latu either plays a utility role or moves clubs

Either way it is hard to find a spot for Large in the halves for the next 5 years. There is ofcourse the chance Latu can't get past his injuries AND Galvin walks, which would be disastrous. Large's best pathway to first grade over the next few years is at fullback.
I think scenario 1 is most likely.

Large is a child. By the time he's ready to play 1st grade consistantly, Luia's deal will be coming to it's end. I think that timing actually works well.
 
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