Ok so it's become obvious in the past couple of weeks that we have some problems with our current lineup (especially in the forwards), and I fear that a lot of the players we currently have may not perform nearly as well without Smith.
In my opinion what separates us from the very top teams is a quality halfback, centre and a prop (Cross is quality but he's never on the field).
With both Cross and Simmo coming off-contract next year, as well as a few lower paid players like Little Doogs off-contract this year, we should have a fairly decent amount of money to go into the player market with. I know that Newcastle has never been an attractive option for players, however now with Smithy leaving it may help things slightly.
Problem is however, is that there doesn't seem to be much coming off-contract in 2010 especially in these 3 positions.
Best would probably have to be Kimmorley, Luke Bailey and Brent Tate. However all of these are getting on in years and probably wouldn't be good options. We may even need to look to England?
What I'd like to see in 2011 (Cross, Simmo and Mad Dog to still be in the side for 2010 hopefully);
1. Gidley
2. Jimmy
3. Sau
4. centre
5. Uate/Vuna
6. Mullen
7. halfback
8. Tolar/Taufua
9. De Gois
10. prop
11. Houston
12. Taia
13. Hilder
14. Taufua/Tolar
15. Pato
16. Fass
17. Wicks
I know it's a little "forward happy", but I think that's what we're lacking badly at the moment.
In my opinion what separates us from the very top teams is a quality halfback, centre and a prop (Cross is quality but he's never on the field).
With both Cross and Simmo coming off-contract next year, as well as a few lower paid players like Little Doogs off-contract this year, we should have a fairly decent amount of money to go into the player market with. I know that Newcastle has never been an attractive option for players, however now with Smithy leaving it may help things slightly.
Problem is however, is that there doesn't seem to be much coming off-contract in 2010 especially in these 3 positions.
Best would probably have to be Kimmorley, Luke Bailey and Brent Tate. However all of these are getting on in years and probably wouldn't be good options. We may even need to look to England?
What I'd like to see in 2011 (Cross, Simmo and Mad Dog to still be in the side for 2010 hopefully);
1. Gidley
2. Jimmy
3. Sau
4. centre
5. Uate/Vuna
6. Mullen
7. halfback
8. Tolar/Taufua
9. De Gois
10. prop
11. Houston
12. Taia
13. Hilder
14. Taufua/Tolar
15. Pato
16. Fass
17. Wicks
I know it's a little "forward happy", but I think that's what we're lacking badly at the moment.
