@ said:
Fullback options for tigers should go roughly in this order
Lolohea
Hopoate (could also play centre)
Dylan Edwards
No need to go for a Dugan or hayne.
Add in Milne who I've been told has actually signed on and the back line suddenly has some pace and skill.
Need one more prop. Someone like Mose masoe is a value buy and 2 edge back towers. I'd be looking at CHN from Penrith and Aiden guerra.
5/8 is tricky. Personally I'd go Tyrone Roberts. But would seriously have a crack at elgy or Shaun Johnson. Outside of that I'd get a stop gap solution for 2018 ie benji. And look to lock up Cleary for 2019.
If all appears true and there's money to spend, this is what I would go with - it's not all doom and gloom.
Losing Teddy is heartbreaking, however the money freed up will make us a better TEAM across the park without so much money invested in single individuals. The saddest part is the money offered to these players should be reserved for players who can break a game, these 4 haven't collectively delivered, therefore dispersing that cash across a team is smart management IMO.
It's also important to remember that a lot of cubs will be in trouble next year due to the NRL advising of a lower salary cap then expected - players will likely be moved to create space where possible and will allow for cheaper pickups. The Tigers seem to have anticipated this better than others and not overcapitalised:
1\. Connor Watson (played fullback for Wyong over the weekend and scored 2 tries - will only be a utility now at the Roosters with Tedesco certain for fullback. Livewire of a player and future gun.)
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Dane Gagai/Tyrone Peachey
4\. Latrell Mitchell
5\. Gideon Gela-Mosby (stuck behind a wealth of depth at the Cowboys)
6\. Shaun Johnson/Gareth Widdop (experience and solid goal kickers)
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Matt McIlwrick
10\. James Graham © (a true leader and cheaper than Woods)
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Elijah Taylor (c)
14\. Ava Seumanufagai
15\. Sauoso Sue
16\. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
17\. Jamal Idris/Josh Aloiai/Jacob Liddle
I'd also have a look at these established players pending money leftover or if we missed out on the above:
Agnatius Paasi
Charlie Gubb
Albert Vete
Russell Packer
Nathan Brown
Taane Milne (rumours have it we've already got him)
James Roberts
Blake Ferguson
Daniel Tupou
Alex Glenn
Luke Lewis (1 yr)
Ryan Hoffman (1yr)
Bodene Thompson
Felise Kaufusi
Aiden Guerra
Tyrone Roberts
Tuimoala Lolohea
Chad Townsend
Clint Gutherson
Aaron Gray
Out of our current crop for depth:
Moses Suli (needs time to develop)
Josh Aloiai
Michael Chee-Kam
JJ Felise
Junior Tatola
Tim Grant (may go 1 more year)
Jack Littlejohn
Esan Marsters
Kevin Naiqama (good for depth only)
We've lacked depth for years, we can finally set ourselves up to be competitive across the park and when injuries strike:
Jordan Drew
Chanze Nicole-Klokstad
Kato Ottio
Kurt Mann
Sandor Earl
Dylan Edwards
Who I'd love to sign:
Coen Hess - but dreaming is dreaming