The best player in that list is Crichton obviously, but I’ve watched him closely over the last couple of games and he doesn’t quite look like his previous self. Hard to know if he’s just carrying a niggle or it’s one of those things where his hard running style has caught up with him at a younger age than a lot of other guys. I recall a few months ago reports that a new contract at the Roosters was a done deal, but then nothing was ever announced. Very very peculiar. He’d cost at least as much as Friz to sign and as much as I think he’s been overall the best edge in the game since 2018, I’d be very wary atm tbh.
The next best player on that list is Ryan Matterson. Probably the closest thing to a like for like Barnett replacement given he’s a guy who’s better at lock/prop who seems to spend a lot of time playing on the edge. However I do think he’s just better than Barney no matter where he’s picked. Parra can’t afford to keep him under the cap and no one seems to have snapped him up yet so there must be a bit of a stink around him. Have heard he’s a bit of a ****head. But if you want a big, physical forward with a lot of ball skill for a guy in that position, what he has brought on the field is better than anyone on that list bar Angus.
