Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 11:33 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

Practical thing to do is look at the players who are out of contract and assess not just what they have delivered so far this season, but over the last couple of years. With that in mind I would suggest Bodene (maybe keep the missus), Dywer, Briscoe and Mellor have to be moved on. Not because they are all rubbish, but because if we are looking to get near the top of the table again we need far better. I'm not sure about Martin. He's been a stand out for a large part of the season, but over the last couple of years he's been a bit in and out. Covid may well have been a factor in that. Will be interesting to see what Smith can get out of the likes of Tet and Bentley. They have really let the team down when needed most. Both owe the rest of the squad big time.

I’d def keep Martin but agree with your view here Arthur

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:06 pm  

Seth
I am not having a pop at you in particularly. My point is we have been badly hit with injuries and unnecessary suspensions. Down to the bare bones and it has been a necessity to play Donaldson and Thompson regularly and I don’t think anyone can single them out for letting the team down. Would I have them both playing in the 17 regularly no, they are squad fillers. Would I have given Thompson the contact he was given taking up a quota spot no. However we are where we are for the time being and for me I am glad we have them. As mentioned we have 9 players off contract and I think Smith should be given the time to decide who he wants to keep and if they get offers from elsewhere in the meantime so be it. I am positive that there will be changes, there needs to be to progress but we are a cap sport so don’t expect 7/8 big hitters arriving.
Just to make things clear I would expect Thompson to go making room for one overseas player. Not sure about Blake so possibly two spots available.
I would hope that Smith has a a good few contacts that are not top grade players but are really capable of making a mark in SL even if it is just a two year stepping stone to ARL.
Let’s hope the upward curve continues.

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:14 pm  

Trebor1 wrote:

I’d def keep Martin but agree with your view here Arthur

Would you keep Austin? He's also out of contract and clearly trying his socks off. Thing is, if we keep both Austin and Martin, get rid of Bodene and then all the other contracted overseas players elect to stay - we have just one quota place left to fill. Given that the NRL is theoretically the best place to recruit quality, there is not much room for manoeuvre. Who would be a coach?

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:36 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

Would you keep Austin? He's also out of contract and clearly trying his socks off. Thing is, if we keep both Austin and Martin, get rid of Bodene and then all the other contracted overseas players elect to stay - we have just one quota place left to fill. Given that the NRL is theoretically the best place to recruit quality, there is not much room for manoeuvre. Who would be a coach?

I’d keep Austin but would understand if he wasn’t retained.

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:45 pm  

So whilst I agree with the lists of players not good enough, we can't just ship them out, without them being replaced with better options. Recruiting 7 or 8 players isn't feasible. Some will go, but some will stay, because we need to for into the cap, and changing so much of a squad in one offseason is too much

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:59 pm  

Regarding Dwyer's contract situation,
we need Corey Johnson to get back to fitness and have a run in the side, before a decision is made. He has looked good in the few games he has played, but has question marks against his fitness. Classing Holroyd as our 4th prop has left us short in that department and going with just Leeming and Johnson at hooker could be a mistake, especially if Leeming is to be used to cover halfback.

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:04 pm  

The Eagle wrote:

So whilst I agree with the lists of players not good enough, we can't just ship them out, without them being replaced with better options. Recruiting 7 or 8 players isn't feasible. Some will go, but some will stay, because we need to for into the cap, and changing so much of a squad in one offseason is too much

Even if we did move on eight players, which I agree his highly unlikely, I would never expect them to bring 8 players in. Three high quality players (with maybe a bolter from the championship) augmented by the promotion of some of the excellent young players we still produce is the way forward in my opinion.

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:26 pm  

I'm sure I've not said anything different to anyone else. People seem to be challenging yet agreeing at the same time. I've said Thompson (overseas), Mellor, briscoe and probably Dwyer (let's not forget that his distribution is a major factor holding us back) should move on with 3 coming in, prop, hooker, centre.

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:28 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

Even if we did move on eight players, which I agree his highly unlikely, I would never expect them to bring 8 players in. Three high quality players (with maybe a bolter from the championship) augmented by the promotion of some of the excellent young players we still produce is the way forward in my opinion.

Agree 100%

Re: 2022 - IN | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Sat Apr 30, 2022 3:00 pm  

One of the mistakes we keep repeating is re-signing duff players. People say they are 'just squad players' but the reality is they end up playing a lot of games, and tend to get picked over younger ones even if they're not very good. You can make a case for every single one of them to be retained individually but its the set as a group that needs to be gone.

In the backs Sutcliffe and Briscoe should be gone. Neither is good enough, and we now have enough young backs we definitely don't need either of them moving forward.

In the forwards Thompson can be upgraded by almost any out and out prop, particularly if its an overseas one. We need more props not backrowers, and it wouldn't be a big loss to see Mellor and Donaldson go as well. Lose them and we'd still have Gannon, Bentley, Martin, Walters and Smith for the back row. Replace them with just one proper prop and we'd look better balanced immediately. Dwyer just makes it hard for the team to function. Either get him to learn how to pass, or get rid. I almost don't care who else we have.

By picking kids - even if through necessity - JJB has shown the way forward. There's no point in having ten extra squad players if they're not good enough.