This was what I was trying to tell Bort before a page back but I think you have probably explained it better than me mate!
But what he said still has nothing to do with what I wrote you said you disagreed with
It depends how much you weigh Moylan's advantages/disadvantages vs. Metcalfs pros/cons. Like how much do we really lose not playing Moylan vs what we gain rolling with Metcalf?
Everyone's answer could be different and every game could give us a different viewpoint. Moylan has experience and better defense, Metcalfs shown he can pass as good as Mozza and has as good as footwork if not better and no doubt is miles quicker and has youth and recent fitness on his side and plenty of scope for growth and improvement.
Mozza can be a decent/good player for us and had a solidish season but an argument could be made Moylan isn't part of our strongest line up due to his constant unsettling of our line up with injury and mixish form
He's here for 12 months - there's only so much good left he can do for our club
Playing young blokes is all about backing someone that is unproven, every good player was young and unproven at some point but showed enough promise to be given a crack. You can't avoid the element of risk in selecting them. Same as their is a risk or opportunity cost playing older players. Good news its a long season and we don't need to stick with a poor performer for weeks on end if they aren't getting it done.
Picking young blokes really is about hoping they will be better that someone else in the future but while doing a servicable or good job for you in the present. You don't play them now if they are terrible and hope they some day wont be terrible. not unless it's a last resort. In some rare cases they are cleary better than more established players right from the outset even if they arn't yet the finished package (not saying this is the case with Metcalf)
Hopefully the 7's defense translates for this Miller fella as you mention Bort but he sounds as much a project as prospect for 13 a side NRL.
Exciting fleet footed players are just that, until they are not and they get worked out or break down. Only the real greats can't be contained over a career (Moylan and SJ have soured me. But Metcalf gave me hope again not to mention some quick agile blokes at other clubs)
If Moylan stays fit chances are he gives us a lot more this season than Metcalf would. IF
Definitely an argument to be made regarding how disruptive his injuries have been and may be again. If he makes it through pre-season I would think he gets first crack though.
Not sold there is only so much good he can do in 12 months.
Only takes one season to win a premiership, one good 12 months from Maloney (and some others) won us a Premiership.
A full season is more than long enough for a player to have a positive impact, can't just disregard everyone with 1 year left on contract.
Typically young blokes get a chance when opportunity presents or they are going so well they force their selection. Picking someone who isn't going so well you can't leave them out and you have better proven options just because you hope they will be really good in the future is not something I think many NRL coaches are doing regularly. And with good reason. It is more likely to backfire than work and you will lose your job.
Whether Moylan starts or is 14 if (when) he eventually breaks down happy for Metcalf to get a shot and hopefully plays well enough to hold it, I just doubt he goes well enough through preseason to beat out a fit Moylan and I don't think he should be gifted a jersey in that circumstance.
Trindall gave us a bit of a mixed bag but happy for him to keep working on his game in those opportunities last season because there were no better options. I think 6/7/14 between Moylan, Hynes, Trindall, Metcalf & Tracey is a very interesting conundrum for Fitz to untangle. Other than Hynes in 6 or 7 (and Tracey only a possible 14) I think there is an argument for almost any combo, but I think it will be the players who earn the jersey not who has X much potential or the longest contract.
As for Miller I don't know much about him but I am definitely assuming he is a project buy. Has some good raw skills and attributes and actually has big game experience. Hoping he is price low enough it won't matter if he doesn't work out. If it is a 2 year contract as suggested assume there is a fit of faith he will come good even if not for this season.