Confused on Recruitment & Retention

[DP1990]

Just had to chuck this out there after the Sharks game. My mind's been doing somersaults faster than Tedesco sidestepping a defender, and I reckon I can't be the only one scratching my head.

So, the whispers about DCE joining us (being a done deal) are quite loud and look, I get it, the bloke's an origin half-back, a former premiership winner, and all that jazz, but then I look at our young guns, and I'm genuinely wondering if we've gone off on this prematurely and jumped the gun !?

Sam Walker, bless his cotton socks, is our mainstay - the kid's got vision like an eagle, and he's only going to get better. Then you've got Hugo Savala, who's been playing out of his skin - every time he gets a crack, he looks comfortable, makes good decisions, and boots the ball very well. Sandon Smith has got a good motor, a competitive spirit. These three are very talented as well all know and in any combination form, I think we're all pretty comfortable against all odds, I'm sure it's making us all proud to see.

So, if we've got these three absolute rippers coming through the ranks, why are we splurging big coin on Daly Cherry-Evans ? - are we potentially stunting the growth of our own future superstars ? Obviously one of the two (Hugo and Sandon) will be forced to pack their bags and head elsewhere for a fair go as we can't keep them all !

But wait there's more ... the Reece Robson signing ! - no disrespect to the bloke, he's a quality hooker and is the incumbent #9 for NSW, but did anyone else's see Benaiah Loelu play tonight ? The kid was bloody decent for his first crack at first grade. He looked like he'd been there for years, sharp out of dummy-half, solid in defence, and just brought a real energy to the team.

My biggest fear, and it's a legitimate one, is that we're going to pull a "Sam Verrills" again. Remember that sting ? Lost one of our own promising young dummy-halves because we went out and signed Brandon Smith (how did that work out for us !?). So, If we lose Benaiah Loelu at the end of the year or soon after, then seriously, all this bullshit talk about developing young talent is just pointless. It's a kick in the guts for anyone who believes in our pathways.

Why should we bother investing in these brilliant young blokes, nurturing them from junior footy, only to spend big money on seasoned players who will demand a chunk of our salary cap but potentially hinder the development of our home-grown talent and force them elsewhere ? It just doesn't make sense to me !

What are your thoughts ? Is the club playing the long game, or are we risking losing some serious talent ?

[milanja]

I don’t have an issue with the Robson signing, you know exactly what you’ll get from him week in, week out, his good games, will probably be an 8/10 and his bad games will probably be no worse than a 6/10.

DCE never made sense when it was first announced, and still doesn’t make sense now.

[Chook2]

We havnt been consistent as we say we will play the younger guys then take pot shots - ala hunt, Johnson and Gagai and missed quite a lot compared to what we retain

we have shifted some dead wood recently

9. Issue for verills was that he was never on the field, if he wasn’t injured as often I’d say he would still be a rooster
we needed to replace cheese and Robson was a lot better option! Allows Watson to play utility role! Ioelu has played one game so needs more time to determine where he will get to!

7. he’s a tough one Sammy Walker is out 15 year half! It’s who partners him! Early on before savala showed what he can do I get the feeling the long term thought is rodwell and walker and rodwell is still 1-2 seasons off hence bring DCE for a season or two to help develop Walker and Allow Walker to play and grow his game without needing to assist a younger half

however savala form may change things!

tbh sandon smith isn’t a half, i see him as a 14
unless he can improve his passing game he picks the wrong option way to often!

we can’t keep them all as Elliot and foley are also playing nsw cup but tbh when they looked at DCE no one saw what was coming with savala

[The Brain]

Ain't our stress gotta ride with the coach.His bringing on young blokes has something to do with what he liked about Barcelona's coaching accadamy. He somewhst has adopted their system.Its paying off.You saw Teddy yesterday worked so hard he was throwing up.He can't do it on his own.Coach thinks the youngies need another guiding hand.Its on him...as for young Ben..he has a long way to go..good happy kid. Robbos main is Toby Rodwell will slot in next year.I can see Savala maybe playing lock as in Rads old role.I would lay that scenario for 2027..I smell a premiership soon.

[caz]

a big factor in getting rid of verrills was his injury record. we replaced him with cheese who also had an injury affected time with us. as a 9 robson is an upgrade on both and he's been durable. loelu looks lively and if he's good enough there's a place at 14 for him (noting he had a poor read in defence for their first try).
seems like the dce deal was done earlier. if hugo hadn't come onto the scene i'd be supportive of it, now i'm not sure. don't know if that was a case of hugo being fairly or unfairly underestimated

[The Brain]

I still believe the team needs one more experienced player to be a premiership threat.Looking like DCE is it . I'm not a fan.Then again I thought Robbo had rocks in his head when he signed old man Cronk.The consensus is DCE hasn't won anything apart from origin ..but he has had a shit team and a variety of shit coaches.So I will give him the benefit of the doubt.Plud he can give back the CC medal he stole from Maloney in 2013.
.

[Lydon]

I hear everyone hoping we don’t sign DCE for next year,but what if the agreement was done months ago before the emergence of Savala?

I can’t see the Club back flipping on a deal,it’s not Nicks’s way..If that’s the case

[dice]

We were leaking too many tries on our tryline due to two small halves, and a small hooker. Robson the closest thing to Friend in terms of defensive reliability. It is a great signing.

That is also why Walker and Sandon were never going to be the long-term halves, especially with neither with a long clearing kick. It is too much of a handicap.

I was all for DCE as I feel we are ready to win a premiership next year. However, Savala does solve the problems mentioned above and it makes less sense the more this drags on. But it seems we are committed now, and I expect it to be announced after Dom Young money is freed up. We need Dom for one more game before SOO2?

With the money that Walker will command in 2028, I am still not convinced that he is the one we keep long-term. Winning the comp is about value-for-money from a limited salary cap and Walker may be better than Smith or Rodwell, but is he worth the extra money that he will command when the salary cap starts to bite?

[mattyh]

Ain't our stress gotta ride with the coach.His bringing on young blokes has something to do with what he liked about Barcelona's coaching accadamy. He somewhst has adopted their system.Its paying off.You saw Teddy yesterday worked so hard he was throwing up.He can't do it on his own.Coach thinks the youngies need another guiding hand.Its on him...as for young Ben..he has a long way to go..good happy kid. Robbos main is Toby Rodwell will slot in next year.I can see Savala maybe playing lock as in Rads old role.I would lay that scenario for 2027..I smell a premiership soon.

I think you may be onto something here brain .

take out Vic and teddy and there is a bit of a void in leadership in the team and you risk burning out teddy .

also whilst the young hooker was good , how many times have seen a kid come to grade and kill it on 1 Game, then never to be seen again , opposition coaches start doing homework , defensive systems adapt etc .

I also remember the chooks felt theyve only been successful when having a hardworking hooker ie a bonetti or friend type , robson fits that mould to a t , so dos mitch kenny as well , make your tackles , slick ball to the playmakers .

[Inflictor]

So noise that Ponga is not happy and could ask for a release. Also rumours we were going to make a play for him to replace Teddy eventually. He can also play 5/8.
So hypothetically would we take DCE or Ponga for next year if in fact Ponga does request a release?

[DP1990]

So noise that Ponga is not happy and could ask for a release. Also rumours we were going to make a play for him to replace Teddy eventually. He can also play 5/8.
So hypothetically would we take DCE or Ponga for next year if in fact Ponga does request a release?

Ponga right ?

Younger plus he brings to the game an "X Factor" for the spine. The closest thing at the moment for us is only in Mark Nawaqanitawase.

[Rooster_6]

I think you may be onto something here brain .

take out Vic and teddy and there is a bit of a void in leadership in the team and you risk burning out teddy .

also whilst the young hooker was good , how many times have seen a kid come to grade and kill it on 1 Game, then never to be seen again , opposition coaches start doing homework , defensive systems adapt etc .

I also remember the chooks felt theyve only been successful when having a hardworking hooker ie a bonetti or friend type , robson fits that mould to a t , so dos mitch kenny as well , make your tackles , slick ball to the playmakers .

Yeh I tend to agree Matty, you see so many creative and ball running dummy halves burst onto the scene and then disappear almost as quickly. Sadly it’s a dying art because as you said sides are just so well drilled around marker defence once there’s enough footage on you and your tells it’s really easy to be shut down. Even the elite creative/running dummy halves like Api Korisau or Damien Coook really only get their opportunities when their side are absolutely dominating and the opposition are fatigued.

Ioelu had a great game last night, some of his deception around the ruck was excellent but the biggest question around a dummy half in the modern day game is what repeatable actions can you offer your side when you’re not winning the ruck and on the front foot. Robson is a line speed setter, very strong in contact defensively, has a high workrate and his service is excellent. Most importantly he’s shown durability over a number of seasons to continually do the boring stuff whilst remaining fit & available for his team.

He is a great pick up as far as I’m concerned.

[BraveTheWorld]

I’ve said it before, but I just hope we can convince a few of the young guys to bide their time in cup until some positions open up, or if not, maybe loan them out or just say “come back to us in a few years”.

Sad reality is we just aren’t going to be able to keep everyone, as much as we’d like to.

[Bates]

We don't need DCE. Sammy and Hugo will become the best halves pairing in the comp imo!

As a pairing (on paper) they tick all the boxes. Sammy just needs to work on his game management which will naturally improve with more games. Hugo has been super impressive and will continue to improve.

Hooker - Robson is a great signing. He'll slot straight in and perform at a consistent level. Friendy Mark 2.

Forwards - Some exciting young bulls coming through who are big, strong, mobile, can ball play etc. Add to that players like Vic, Gus, Watson, Whyte, Wong, Robson and we're all good in that department.

Outside Backs. We're good for 2026 however may need a suitable replacement for sir Toops beyond 2026.

The big one for me is finding a replacement for Teddy beyond 2026 if he retires.. Some forward planning should be considered as the squad could be ripe and ready to win a comp. Our window could well be seasons 2027 to 2030.

[top_joe]

We don't need DCE. Sammy and Hugo will become the best halves pairing in the comp imo!

As a pairing (on paper) they tick all the boxes. Sammy just needs to work on his game management which will naturally improve with more games. Hugo has been super impressive and will continue to improve.

Hooker - Robson is a great signing. He'll slot straight in and perform at a consistent level. Friendy Mark 2.

Forwards - Some exciting young bulls coming through who are big, strong, mobile, can ball play etc. Add to that players like Vic, Gus, Watson, Whyte, Wong, Robson and we're all good in that department.

Outside Backs. We're good for 2026 however may need a suitable replacement for sir Toops beyond 2026.

The big one for me is finding a replacement for Teddy beyond 2026 if he retires.. Some forward planning should be considered as the squad could be ripe and ready to win a comp. Our window could well be seasons 2027 to 2030.

KP is coming. Teddy may end up on the wing in his last couple of years.