Re: OOC 2022 : Fri Apr 29, 2022 8:56 am  

A lot of our recruitment and retention is currently based around the potential new deal with SMC, I have heard that a decision could be made in the next few weeks. If we struggle to get a better deal with them then I wouldn't be shocked if we did leave a couple quota spots free for a couple years and go down the younger British route.

Re: OOC 2022 : Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:36 am  

mwindass wrote:

I don't see us moving Gale on next season. I'd be happy with the halves going into next season with Trueman swapped for Reynolds.

Hooker is the big one for me, I'd be looking to use Reynolds quota spot on a top NSW or Q Cup hooker. Going into next season I'd like our hookers to be Lovodua, Balmforth and a new overseas recruit.

For me the conundrum is, if we release Manu, what do we do with his overseas spot? Do we sign another backrow, middle or a strike centre?

I can get my head round the Mellor signing if we use him as a squad player, but we'd lose some punch is swapping Manu for him or Lane. But I suppose that's where Griffin to SR comes in.

I think we could get away with replacing Shaul from within. Litten, Barron, Wynne etc.

It might be worth taking a punt on a championship middle like Rovers have done with Garrett/Richards to replace Bowden. Burrell might be seen as a bit green for week in week out games

I find it hard to justify releasing Houghton and keeping Gale.

Re: OOC 2022 : Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:35 am  

C for Cuckoo wrote:

Sounds good but it leaves us with two quota spots and a chunk of cap. No coach is going to allow that situation for long. I'd be surprised if Odgo doesn't have a list of names to fill those places.

I thought AP was trying to reduce costs/debt, not hitting the cap every year?

Re: OOC 2022 : Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:01 pm  

ccs wrote:

I thought AP was trying to reduce costs/debt, not hitting the cap every year?

I took that to mean no Marque players. Times would have to be very hard if we are planning on being under cap. I hope we aren't at that point yet.

Re: OOC 2022 : Fri Apr 29, 2022 6:37 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

I find it hard to justify releasing Houghton and keeping Gale.

I'd look to replace both if we can, but don't see it. Gale was brought in to add leadership and accountability. I just don't see us shipping him out after 1 season.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 6:23 am  

Some tough decisions coming up, I'm sure last season, we were in a similar league position and in the semi of the cup, we signed up alot of players and our season went slowly down hill. Despite a fee players playing better we need to be ruthless and only keep the players that can help us progress, look at Saints last year, could have kept Coote and Fages, but wanted to put faith in young players and freshen up other areas of the squad.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 7:51 am  

I'd only look to make minimal changes to the squad, if possible sign Trueman to replace Reynolds, I'm a big fan of Batchelor at Wakefield he'd bring some depth to the back row and we'd have a quota spot to maybe look at bringing a 7 over from overseas.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 7:57 am  

Yippee try yay wrote:

I'd only look to make minimal changes to the squad, if possible sign Trueman to replace Reynolds, I'm a big fan of Batchelor at Wakefield he'd bring some depth to the back row and we'd have a quota spot to maybe look at bringing a 7 over from overseas.

If Mellor has signed, think we are OK in the backrow.

I expect us to to go with Gale next season at 7, with Hookem and McNamara as backups.

Shauls a tough one, played well on the wing the last few games, would probably have to take a pay cut to stay as not one of our main players anymore.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 8:10 am  

Dave K. wrote:

If Mellor has signed, think we are OK in the backrow.

I expect us to to go with Gale next season at 7, with Hookem and McNamara as backups.

Shauls a tough one, played well on the wing the last few games, would probably have to take a pay cut to stay as not one of our main players anymore.

I think I'd rather have Batchelor than Mellor but haven't seen too much of Mellor this season. I'd agree with Gale, I can see us keeping him for another year, hopefully he'll be on the pitch a bit longer from now.

I'd look to release Johnstone and Bowden definitely, Balmforth and Burrell can take their spots in the squad.

Like you say Shaul us a tough one, depending on the money I'd look to give him another year maybe, especially if Griffin is moving into the back row.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 8:20 am  

Yippee try yay wrote:

I think I'd rather have Batchelor than Mellor but haven't seen too much of Mellor this season. I'd agree with Gale, I can see us keeping him for another year, hopefully he'll be on the pitch a bit longer from now.

I'd look to release Johnstone and Bowden definitely, Balmforth and Burrell can take their spots in the squad.

Like you say Shaul us a tough one, depending on the money I'd look to give him another year maybe, especially if Griffin is moving into the back row.

Agree with all that, not sure Mellor is needed, although that might depend on what happens with Ma'u.