given you’ve got a pretty clear read on both of them andtracking NSW Cup form pretty closely.
what’s the actual cutoff for “developing” vs just being where they are?
Because at the moment it reads as:
Sukkar > improving
Craig > improving, with concerns, but also improving
So both trending up. Just at different speeds. Or different standards. Which is fine.
Just trying to work out where you draw the line between patience and decision.
Or if the plan is to let time sort it out. Nothing wrong with that either.
Yes well from my point of view Tony Sukkar was always a work in progress as he has a big, strong, solid physique and has good speed and speed off the mark for a young man of his size. Like many young players, particularly forwards I felt he has been holding back over the past couple of years, only doing the bare minimum and not always approaching the contact as strongly as he should be to utilise his size and strength.
NRL exposure can do wonders for a young player’s confidence level and from what I have seen, young Sukkar is a much improved player in 2036 who now embraces the contact, looks to what to be much more involved and looks confident in himself that he has the size, strength and speed to donate his opponents.
His future NRL top 17 prospects are now looking very strong and I would be trying to re-sign him for a couple of more seasons if we can, but keep in mind I think he is another Isaac Moses client.
As for Will Craig he is also noticeably stronger, fitter and faster in 2026.
You would like to think plenty of practice can help him fix his issues under the high ball and his defence issues are mainly bad reads as opposed to missing tackles due to poor technique or lack of physicality.
He has always been strongly built, but is now very powerfully built and looks to have worked hard on his increased fitness levels which also look to have helped him increase or maximise his speed.
I assume Will himself would be well aware he was very lucky to have been given a top 30 position for 2026 based on his form over the past 2 seasons, but there is also no doubt he is doing plenty right behind the scenes tj give himself every opportunity to be the best version of himself possible and I think it’s a clear case of wait and see how he continues to play throughout the season.
I would like to see him moved back to his preferred centre position and see if his tackle break ability can be a big positive for our NSW Cup team.
