We've (Morris/Fitz/Mooney) recruited well in respect to the squad we had, that's for sure.
But if we can't see improvement in the current crop, that's a lot of recruitment for next year... based on fundamentals improving, there's not a lot of issues in the current crop off contract (Thanks for the lists
@burgess1978) but a few we're sticking with for a while:
This lot has a few glaring issues in their games they haven't improved (you could accept
some areas have, just not around the above) and we have them for a while. It's these guys you feel Fitz needs to get the most out of.
6. Jack WIlliams (2024)
7. Toby Rudolf (2024)
11. Braydon Trindall (2023)
12. Jesse Ramien (2023)
Jack was one of our most well rounded forwards last season but has had a very inconsistent start to 2022. Played rounds 5-10. We lost to Storm (Dale injured early), Brisbane & Canberra (Jack injured after 6 mins, Dale after 32) during that time. You'd hope with better injury luck we at least win the Canberra one (also had 11/12 man game against Warriors week before).
Rudolf ideally wouldn't be starting every week but basically has been. With 58 NRL games to his name I'd love to see him start to clean a few things up but always brings energy. Would be great to see him kick on to another level.
Trindall is a tricky one - not like we are really using him right. Seems to have settled into the role in recent weeks rather than thinking he has to be an X factor. Sometimes he looks like he has potential to kick on as an NRL half, other times he runs himself at the line or kicks into legs every chance and shows he's not ready.
Ramien, take a couple brain fades / bad contacts off him and improve his passing 5% last weekend and he has been one of our best players.
He's close to bringing it all together, but can he? Time will tell.
Then there's these guys in the wings (I've no idea how ready they are) to offset recruitment needs.
- Ryan Rivett (2023) (u21) (NRL.com says 2022. Ryan said in an interview that he is signed for 2023)
- Jack Martin (2022) (u21)
- Kade Dykes (2022) (u21)
- Jonaiah Lualua (2022)
- Tom Hazelton (2022)
20. Franklin Pele (2022)
23. Jensen Taumoepeau (2022) (Club Option 2023)
25. Mawene Hiroti (2022)
27. Jayden Berrell (2022)
I'd be interested in hearing how people see those emerging players plugging holes and what's left to recruit. You'd assume we'll recruit from within where possible. Those decisions will go a long way towards how we look at our 10 year coach.
Rivett has shown some good signs in highlights and seems well rounded. At least a couple years off but an interesting prospect. Dev deal
Jack Martin as I noted previously I don't really know how he's going. Maybe keeps a dev deal, maybe doesn't.
Kade is killing it and will need a top 30 contract for next year if we want to keep him. A potential half 3 or 4 and successor to Moylan.
Lualua has looked decent in some glimpses, probably stays on dev deal
Hazelton we probably need to upgrade to top 30 if we want to keep. Is the bargain priced squad replacement for a Fifita, Tolman or Pele
Pele seems to have not grabbed NSW Cup by the scruff of the neck. Might hold a top 30 spot with us but doesn't seem worth fighting for at this stage. Seems to have been jumped by Hazleton and Colquhoun in pecking order.
Never seen Jensen do anything.
Hiroti was bumped down a spot by Ikuvalu in the pecking order (centre/wing #7) and I think he is a decent player for that role... but there are some youngsters coming through which could challenge for spot 7 at likely cheaper price.
Berrell always looks good in Jets highlights. Think he is a keep if he can't get a better offer elsewhere. McInnes can cover 9 but I'd rather not start him there and not for multiple weeks. Berrell's backup Woolford now starting for Raiders and going decent.