According to what we know currently we have 26 players signed for next season, we only need 24 signed by Sunday so we are all sweet there.
Next timestamp is March 1st when we need to have 29 players signed I believe. We may not see any signings anytime soon if we can't get the players/deals we want.
Currently unsigned from 2020 squad is Sorensen, Milne, Hiroti, Ferris, Goodwin, Vasquez and King but he's retired from NRL now.
Out of those I reckon we definitely want to keep Ferris and Sorensen so that leaves just one roster spot we'd be likely to fill with a player from outside the current squad - the likes of Tolman, Marshall, Allan, Copely, Asiata and other names being thrown around. (Assuming we don't rush to fill spot 30 until season is underway and an opportunity or need arises)
If the last spot was Allan or Copely I guess you could leave Ferris out. Although I'd much prefer to keep Ferris over Copely and would even re-sign Hiroti rather than bring Copely in. I'd also be keen to keep Ferris even if we did sign Allan.
If we signed Benji we'd probably allow Trindall to leave if he could find something so that may leave another roster spot open.
Otherwise someone like a Tolman can come into that last spot.
So, based on your squad named... I wouldn't run Dugan at FB, I just think you are increasing the chances he misses significant volume of games too much and then will need Kennedy anyway. Run him at centre with (re-signed) Ferris as his backup.
Tolman is too far from being real atm for me to count it, start two of Woods/BHU/Rudolf. Sorensen also not technically in the side and previously has been a very late squad addition but I do think we will sign him, otherwise I guess stacked Jack comes back in.
I don't think Vasquez did enough to be re-signed (due to what roster space we have available) but I think if he doesn't find anything better put him back on Dev contract and maybe he ends up player 30. We have Pele, Williams and Billy Mags* who can come into the side.
And I guess we shouldn't sleep on Jensen as a fullback option or good enough to keep Hiroti unsigned. Jensen was in our bubble all year I think. He will be 20/21, over 100kg and has played a little NSW Cup and also trial for us start of this year. In senior chances at least think he has played mostly centre but we have a whole offseason to give him a crack at fullback and he has played there previously I believe.
Ferris is another that has the athleticism to be molded into a fullback, if we re-sign him. At the very least giving them some runs there pushes Kennedy to work harder in preseason.
*decent chance another roster spot opens up here
