Let's be honest its time for our team for 2021!

packo said:
Mann was great, going fantastic. But the team suffers around him for it. Backs don’t get enough ball and Ponga plays a different role.
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And that's what he needs to fix in the off season if that is the way we go.
If we go another way (re-sign Green or get Crossland up to speed) that will be good too, but I think Mann could do the job with another 6 months work.
 
1 Kayln Ponga
2 Hymel Hunt
3 Enari Tuala
4 Bradman Best
5 Edrick Lee
6 Kurt Mann
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 David Klemmer
9 Jayden Brailey
10 Daniel Saifiti
11 Tyson Frizzel
12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13 Mitch Barnett

14 Connor Watson
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Sione Mata'utia
17 Pasami Saulo

other signed players

18 Starford To'a
19 Jirah Momoisea
20 Pheonix Crossland
21 Shibasaki
22 Christian Ma'anaima
23 Dominic Young
24 Tex Hoy

off contract

Green
Aidan Guerra
Brodie Jones
Josh King
Mason Lino
Chris Randall
Matt Croker
Luke Huth
Simi Sasagi (has 2 year option)
Tyronne Robert-Davis

Leaving the club

Andrew McCullough
Herman Eseese
Tim Glasby
Tautau Moga

So we have 6 fulltime spots and 6 development spots to fill for 2021.
 
Impossible to know what is happening with lower graders, but I'd give the development contracts to this 6 based on last year's form.

Bayden Searle - halfback
Mitch Black - hooker
Matt Croker - prop
Dylan Lucas - centre
Simi Sasagi - utility
Jaron Purcell - prop

but I'd also love to give a spot to Daniel Ticehurst (prop) and Maile-J Townsend (winger).
 
Treadly said:
I dont like having both Mann and Watson. We need an organising 5/8 and Mann looks good for a 14 and backup hooked role.

I just don't see the point to both when their strengths and weaknesses are so similar.

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I don’t mind it being for next year only. Chances are if Crossland or Hoy are playing at 6 and Mann and Watson are battling for the 14, then one misses out in any particular week. Gives us good depth. We’ve got multiple hookers, backs etc. Good headache for Obi to have in picking the best 14.
 
The thing to consider is paying Watson, yes lot less, a good thing when money could be spent signing someone else or upgrading a contract for them to be available more frequent
 
Frank McWilliams said:
The thing to consider is paying Watson, yes lot less, a good thing when money could be spent signing someone else or upgrading a contract for them to be available more frequent
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Low risk, 1-year deal. If he can’t stay healthy, he’s out. If he earns another deal, then that’s the high reward IMO.
 
knightime said:
I don’t mind it being for next year only. Chances are if Crossland or Hoy are playing at 6 and Mann and Watson are battling for the 14, then one misses out in any particular week. Gives us good depth. We’ve got multiple hookers, backs etc. Good headache for Obi to have in picking the best 14.
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Mann & Watson battling it out for 1 spot makes no sense unless Watson is happy to sign for way unders. It would be irresponsible to give him decent money with the possibility of him not even making the side. It's a tough situation, they're both good 14s, but not a 6. I'd be wary of second season syndrome too, this has been Mann's breakout year, he either goes on to be a bonafide first-grader that other clubs want or he could fall out of form again which happens to plenty of players. I wouldn't rest on him being a permanent fixture just yet either, thankfully we'll get to see him for another full season next year before we decide to give him an upgrade or anything like that.
 
Joshhh said:
Mann & Watson battling it out for 1 spot makes no sense unless Watson is happy to sign for way unders. It would be irresponsible to give him decent money with the possibility of him not even making the side. It's a tough situation, they're both good 14s, but not a 6. I'd be wary of second season syndrome too, this has been Mann's breakout year, he either goes on to be a bonafide first-grader that other clubs want or he could fall out of form again which happens to plenty of players. I wouldn't rest on him being a permanent fixture just yet either, thankfully we'll get to see him for another full season next year before we decide to give him an upgrade or anything like that.
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They should both be off contract at end of next year, so will be a good chance for the club to pick the best performer to retain beyond 2021. Can’t see us holding on to both long term.
 
One year contract to Watson for next year for reasonable $ I wouldn't say no too.. he usually puts in 100% but playing for a contract usually doesn't do anyone harm. Except maybe Moga.
 
I haven't been keen on Watson as a squad member in the past because he was on big dollars and didn't have the skills needed to justify being one of our big money players.
Listening to the podcast, he has accepted that he will get a big paycut and also seems to have a realistic view of all the things he needs to work on to get a big contract for 2022.
If he is on 200-250k for next year, he is worth that for sure, and he is a hardworking guy who will try as hard as he can to train and get the skills he needs.
If he gets fit, improves his skills and puts in 26 great games next year, he'll be the best value player on our roster.
If he can't get up to speed - it's 250k we could have given to Mason Lino to play reserve grade instead - so no big thing.
I think O'Brien has worked out that the best role for Watson is to add energy and impact off the bench, and he's great at that. We would have won a few more games this year if we had his energy at the right times. Hoy tried to play the same role, but doesn't have the same impact.
 
Billy said:
I haven't been keen on Watson as a squad member in the past because he was on big dollars and didn't have the skills needed to justify being one of our big money players.
Listening to the podcast, he has accepted that he will get a big paycut and also seems to have a realistic view of all the things he needs to work on to get a big contract for 2022.
If he is on 200-250k for next year, he is worth that for sure, and he is a hardworking guy who will try as hard as he can to train and get the skills he needs.
If he gets fit, improves his skills and puts in 26 great games next year, he'll be the best value player on our roster.
If he can't get up to speed - it's 250k we could have given to Mason Lino to play reserve grade instead - so no big thing.
I think O'Brien has worked out that the best role for Watson is to add energy and impact off the bench, and he's great at that. We would have won a few more games this year if we had his energy at the right times. Hoy tried to play the same role, but doesn't have the same impact.
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Yeah, I think we've missed his energy and enthusiasm at times thus year too. I see Mann and Watson slightly differently, both have utility value but I think Watson is seen more as a 13 by Obi now, Mann covers more backline positions. If you look at it that way, at $250k, he is likely to do a better job than Herman for a whole lot less.

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If someone prices themselves out after 2021 you just let them go and hold on to who you can. If they both want to stay on relatively cheap deals it's a good problem to have.
 
Joshhh said:
Mann & Watson battling it out for 1 spot makes no sense unless Watson is happy to sign for way unders. It would be irresponsible to give him decent money with the possibility of him not even making the side. It's a tough situation, they're both good 14s, but not a 6. I'd be wary of second season syndrome too, this has been Mann's breakout year, he either goes on to be a bonafide first-grader that other clubs want or he could fall out of form again which happens to plenty of players. I wouldn't rest on him being a permanent fixture just yet either, thankfully we'll get to see him for another full season next year before we decide to give him an upgrade or anything like that.
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Mann and Watson battling it out? Mann by 20 lengths at the moment his earned the incumbency after this year.
 
Toohey saying the fulltime squad looks like being reduced to 28 - so we have 4 spots not filled and at least 8 in the current fulltime squad not signed yet.
We'll probably have to use the development spots for players capable of playing firstgrade - Randall, Jones, maybe downgrade Momoisea if that's possible, Croker.
 
I think if the current rules persist, lowering the full time squad will be up for question. You can see the injury toll after 14 rounds to each club already.
 
krustykraz said:
Is it possible we could see both Watson and Mann at 14 & 15 next year with 2 props?
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I can see what member means, but if you class Watson as a middle, not that far from the realms of possibility. I probably wouldn't do it myself as if the back line is going alright, I'm not sure where Mann gets a run week to week. Hooker maybe? Especially with Brailey coming back from a major injury early rounds?

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