I won’t speak for snowman but if you’re just looking at those stats it could also show that Brailey is better then Api and we all know that ain’t true.
Mahoney and Api they add another dimension, the best number 9 in Smith was so subtle you couldn’t even describe half the time how he won his teams their games single handedly. Some players are just born killers with that same mentality Blayke comes across as very laid back
That’s why I said those stats if anything are concerning because there are better players with less “impressive” numbers on paper so it just shows he’s working harder when we could maybe need him working smarter.
I would love Ennis back at the club
Api is on another level, and I agree when it comes to the punch he is a guy you want there. I guess I just don't see that with Mahoney. He's very solid all round and like I said he's above Blayke, but not 10x.
On the bold, some players seem that way but it's not necessarily a detriment. Nicho is a great example, he seems to have all the time in the world and do things quite casually on the field. I wouldn't call him a natural born killer, although in terms of output in his position he is significantly better.
I think there are some decent young-ish hookers coming through that will be great in the next 3-4 years. I'd have Mahoney, Brailey x2, JMK, and Verrils in this spot. With the right structures and development they could all eventuate to be good nrl quality hookers, just coming into their own later like Api and Cook did. Even Ennis only really reached the height of his powers in the back end of his career. I think we underestimate the work that goes into this position and time it takes to hone the craft.
In reality, if you could sign Grant, obviously you move heaven and earth to do so. Signing Api or Cook would be great if your team was ready for a premiership charge and hooker was the final piece of the puzzle, but they are heading towards the back end of their careers. If Blayke was off contact now, you'd probably consider that, but he was re-signed when we were expecting to be building towards that over a few years.
Outside of these guys, their isn't a significant enough jump to any other hooker in the comp (today) that i'd consider looking elsewhere. Reed or Robson, whilst marginally better would not have changed our fortunes this year. Maybe next year that gap will grow, who knows. At the moment I'm still backing the potential he has, that the coach has obviously invested in.