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Well, after just 1 round of 2017, the future sure looks bright! A good performance from our boys and seemingly, lots of talented youngsters working their way through the grades!
However, picking up on the discussion in the thread ‘What Gasnier said’…if Latrell kills it at left centre, then we will be looking for a long-term solution at fullback and it's not immediately obvious what we should do when Michael Gordon finishes up. If the club doesn’t think that any of the internal candidates (e.g. Watson, Copley, Manu, Nikorima, Ferguson) are the answer, then we will be forced to go shopping.
So, I thought it might be interesting to get your thoughts on what you would do to help kick open that premiership window - all the while recognising that the club won't be taking advice from any of us! Here's a list of possibles and some observations (right or wrong) to get the discussion going:
Off Contract 2017
James Tedesco – seems a popular choice and would be an amazing signing! Adds the dimension of pure speed. Good hands. However, he is injury prone. Expensive. Not a goal-kicker.
Josh Dugan – very good with kick returns. Imagine SKD and Tupou taking the second hit-up and making it to our 40 already. Good organiser of the defence. Good hole runner. Only now learning to pass. Error prone. Injury prone. Expensive. Not a goal-kicker.
Gareth Widdop – fairly quick. Good goal-kicker. Another kicking option in general play. Fullback might be his best position? Takes space off his outside men by running sideways. Kick happy.
Off Contract 2017 + Positional Switch
Alex Johnston – very quick. May not be a fullback even if he wants to be? Hasn’t set the world on fire since his debut season. Can he catch? Average goal-kicker.
Shaun Johnson – super quick. Reasonable goal-kicker. Another kicking option in general play. May not be a fullback?
Code Switch
Israel Folau – would attract plenty of media attention. Might be part-funded by TPAs. May not be available? May not be a rugby league fullback? May struggle to adapt after so many years away.
Off Contract 2018
Jarryd Hayne – a freak on his day. Very quick. Good hands. Huge boot on him. Out of sorts. Unsettled. May become available sooner? Expensive. May not be a team player?
Michael Morgan – super quick. Good hands. Acquitted himself well at the Cowboys when deputising at fullback. Good kicking game. May be relieved to escape the Cowboys post-JT?
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – we all know Roger. Would he be welcomed back ‘home’ to Bondi?
Over to you.
However, picking up on the discussion in the thread ‘What Gasnier said’…if Latrell kills it at left centre, then we will be looking for a long-term solution at fullback and it's not immediately obvious what we should do when Michael Gordon finishes up. If the club doesn’t think that any of the internal candidates (e.g. Watson, Copley, Manu, Nikorima, Ferguson) are the answer, then we will be forced to go shopping.
So, I thought it might be interesting to get your thoughts on what you would do to help kick open that premiership window - all the while recognising that the club won't be taking advice from any of us! Here's a list of possibles and some observations (right or wrong) to get the discussion going:
Off Contract 2017
James Tedesco – seems a popular choice and would be an amazing signing! Adds the dimension of pure speed. Good hands. However, he is injury prone. Expensive. Not a goal-kicker.
Josh Dugan – very good with kick returns. Imagine SKD and Tupou taking the second hit-up and making it to our 40 already. Good organiser of the defence. Good hole runner. Only now learning to pass. Error prone. Injury prone. Expensive. Not a goal-kicker.
Gareth Widdop – fairly quick. Good goal-kicker. Another kicking option in general play. Fullback might be his best position? Takes space off his outside men by running sideways. Kick happy.
Off Contract 2017 + Positional Switch
Alex Johnston – very quick. May not be a fullback even if he wants to be? Hasn’t set the world on fire since his debut season. Can he catch? Average goal-kicker.
Shaun Johnson – super quick. Reasonable goal-kicker. Another kicking option in general play. May not be a fullback?
Code Switch
Israel Folau – would attract plenty of media attention. Might be part-funded by TPAs. May not be available? May not be a rugby league fullback? May struggle to adapt after so many years away.
Off Contract 2018
Jarryd Hayne – a freak on his day. Very quick. Good hands. Huge boot on him. Out of sorts. Unsettled. May become available sooner? Expensive. May not be a team player?
Michael Morgan – super quick. Good hands. Acquitted himself well at the Cowboys when deputising at fullback. Good kicking game. May be relieved to escape the Cowboys post-JT?
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – we all know Roger. Would he be welcomed back ‘home’ to Bondi?
Over to you.
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