And glad we're looking ahead to 2024 contract, we've got a few months to lock up the ones we absolutely want to keep for mine Ronaldo, Ramien, Tieg and Talakai are key. Though expect alot of interest from Ronaldo from the QLD teams.
Kennedy might depend on how Dykes goes.
Well here's my thoughts on everyone who can go to market after this Nov 1 that absolutely nobody asked for....
Talakai's lower offensive output recently (tries and TAs) probably drops him back out of the range of players a **** club would drop a tonne of money for. Throw in what was generally seen as poor origin debut and he shoudn't be too hard to retain. Code Sport posted saying he is on 300k but now worth 400k. No idea if there is
any basis to those numbers. Likely Tracey/Iro can cover left centre if he did leave. Given we can transition Sifa back into forwards if we do end up with an Iro or someone we can't leave out in net couple years he'd probably be okay to lock up early.
Trindall is in an interesting spot where he has had some decent games and playing well in Cup but is purely cover until at least 2025. Has tried to leave before and received no offers so he is not in high demand. If he feels pressure from Dykes and/or Rivett he'd be best to move on but has not done anything to prove his value to other clubs... not dominating Cup and limited opportunity in NRL. I wouldn't rush to sign him before Nov 1.
Ramien has finally started repaying a 500k a year deal which I still believe was overpaid at the time (no contract, bad form, wanted to come to us, wasn't wanted elsewhere). I'd probably look to retain him on a similar deal. Too many brainfades to pay more. Be interesting to see if he's one who is keen to settle in with us for longer or wants to go to market... he's had bad times with that before.
Wilton looks like a great prospect especially given he is still not even 23 until next month. Looks to have a good upside particularly with some more physical and mental maturity. Would have to look at leaving if we signed a Crichton or similar but otherwise likely to be our long term back row. Should still be a very manageable price with only risk being pressure from Bomber at Souths where he could inherit Arrow's jersey after a season on the bench. Unless we have another target or Bomber is in his ear he'd be good to sign up early.
Mulitalo I think stays as long as we can offer him a fair deal but could be pressure from some Qld clubs. Both Broncos and Titans have space on their rosters for wingers currently (reasonable given how far out) although Titans would be wise to tie up the likes of Marzhew and Fifita. And Oates has years left in him for Brisbane. Dolphins do have some wingers already contracted. I'd be happy to lock him in early.
Katoa I think also would stay for a fair deal and still lacks the profile for another club to spend big to steal. Our gain. Only reason to actively let Katoa or Mulitalo leave would be to create cap space and because they have a clear successor. I'd be happy to lock him in early.
Both wingers strike me as guys who would love to stay but would be willing to go to market just in case they can get a huge offer which they can use to set up their families. Ronnie coming from poverty and Katoa's brother having health issues.
Miller is about to turn 28 and looks like he has slipped down to #3 fullback and probably #4 half for us. Wouldn't surprise me if we released him early even and unlikely to be retained. In his one chance he showed enough to think he should be a starter or at worst #2 in a 17 team comp. No rush to sign him before Nov 1.
Ikuvalu is getting on by this point as a perennial back up. We could try keep as a cheap #3 if there is no clear junior pushing him. Becomes a bit more valuable if Ronnie or Sione was to leave as competition for that spot who we know can play. Certainly don't rush to sign before Nov 1.
Kennedy has been great for us although he is not the 'perfect fullback' some think we should have. We question his support but we aren't a team who offloads extensively in the middle and his defence and at times positioning are questionable, although he has 'only' played 59 NRL games, which is 10 less than injury prone Papenhyuzen and Mr Underrated Dylan Edwards has only come good in last couple seasons, sits on 99 NRL games (debuted in 2016!). Performance of Dykes over next month or so will make or break the value of Kennedy to us, especially if we do view him as a fullback not a 5/8 which is still unclear to me. Kennedy does enough good work in the backline as is safe under kicks enough he should be able to get a good offer elsewhere if he is surplus to our requirements. If we see Dykes as a fullback long (or at least mid) term then what he shows now will determine if Kennedy needs to be locked in before Nov 1 or not.
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