2026 Recruitment And Retention

Yeah the way I’d address the go forward issue if Marzhew isn’t in the side is to make more use of the middle depth we have next year, rather than insist Phoenix has to play 13 (giving you only two bigger, stronger middles on the field with him, and likely forcing him to cover for a small speed bump hooker in D a fair bit - I’m assuming Phoenix is going to play most of the game each round & 80 a lot of the time).

Gagai & Young are both good kick returners and Kalyn is actually better than most allow when he’s fully fit. Best has strong play 2 carries & Sharpe is liable to come up with a line break out of nothing in yardage out of dummy half much as Gags did in his pomp. If you’re playing 3 true middle forwards at all times, along with Lucas and McEwen who’re both demonstrating good motors and a willingness to work, someone should always be there to put their hand up for a strong late set carry.

I would be playing Trey Mooney at lock so the big question would be who starts at prop with J Saf. If you gave Bellyache our team he would find his Josh King in this situation, his big minutes, big defensive role, little expectation for yardage work, allows you to rotate the more impactful ball runners more & keep them fresher. Hard to believe we won’t have that given we’ve essentially hoovered up all of the best props in reserve grade now - which was really what King was by the time Bellamy got him. One of the best reserve props in the game.

I don’t look at it and think “this will be one of the best yardage teams in the game”, but there should be enough there to be competitive. I really don’t think the team should be falling in a heap if there’s no Marzhew carries & his defensive issues are bad enough that I don’t believe you can have a true contending side with him in your team.
 
For the comment about Craig would find his own Josh king, we have one, Lachlan Crouch fits the bill exactly, decent metres, really good defensively, safe hands and hardly makes a error
 
KPGreatness said:
For the comment about Craig would find his own Josh king, we have one, Lachlan Crouch fits the bill exactly, decent metres, really good defensively, safe hands and hardly makes a error
Click to expand...
That was my thinking but it’s hard to know when they’re ready for that kind of work. It’s funny how they’re both from Maitland and within a few cm and 1kg of each other lol. The kind of lump of a bloke Maitland produces eh.

It kind of sounded like POS was describing King when talking him up in the signing announcement too. Talked about the low error rate from memory.
 
Gagai playing centre is good but his recent moves to f/b and the big C makes me think that at this late stage of his career it’s too much.
He is over doing his efforts to be involved, to make it happen and it isn’t quite happening.
I think he will be good for 26 but must play centre, possibly wing, and just play his basic game, still has a lot to offer but must be allowed to play his own game.
If all fit and well I see our back 5 as Ponga, Young, Gagai, Best and Marzhew for 2026 and if some one plays well enough to force a change then good on them
We need to fix the hooking position leaving Crossland at 13 and having 2 starting props with 2 fair dinkum middle props on bench.
Will leave positions 6 & 7 to sort themselves out
 
Brad tighe said:
We definitely have missed out on Sandon. However what’s delaying it is POS has upped our offer but expect it to come out tomorrow he has picked the cows.
Click to expand...
That’s just gross. Can’t even get him over the line with more years and money on offer. Ffs
 
MattyM said:
That’s just gross. Can’t even get him over the line with more years and money on offer. Ffs
Click to expand...
He doesn't want to play hooker. If the signing is just, no ifs no buts, we want a starting hooker, it's not a disaster if we end up with someone else. Which means Sharpe and Brown kind of have to work, if not Ponga is gone & then we're looking for a new half. Presumably POS just doesn't rate him enough in the halves that he thinks Sharpe at 1 with a halves combo of Brown & Smith is good enough if Ponga does go.

I suppose POS will always back himself to snag the next big thing in such case, maybe he has someone in mind, but whoever it is we're likely second dog at the bowl after the Bears and then PNG get who they want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top