You can’t fault the recruitment. Hopefully all this potential uncovers a few hidden gems
I'm finding it hard to gauge recruitment, too many unknowns to fairly judge.
There is a clear strategy. I just think it’s a forced strategy rather than a chosen one because of our constant misses on established talent. Time will tell whether it’s hit or miss.
It is. We can't sign elite players in the prime. At least not without offering massive overs. So instead we're doing what the Storm does and are targeting the best 18-19 year olds and build a premiership team from within. It's more sustainable and allows for a balanced squad but in the short term it can take longer for the talent to establish themselves.
The Dogs on the other hand are going for the quick fix with big money contracts to as many big name players they can get their hands on. A couple of injuries or players out of form and they're done. Similar to the Titans of recent years.
I can’t compare us to the Storm. They have always had 3-5 genuine stars and a solid squad to bring their young ones along. They come in, they win and they want to stay. Can see us stumbling and bumbling along with this strategy until we land a couple of genuine established NRL proven game changers.
They have had a couple of genuine stars at all times yes. But that's because they've signed them all at 18-19. Smith, Cronk, Slater, Pap, B Smith, Munster, NAS, Grant etc. It's a conveyor belt system.
hopefully thes youngsters combined with the likes of Brooks, Mbye, Tamou, the Leiluas can get us to a position to finish in the 8 and make it easier to nab the occasional star too.