Recruitment for 2017 : Mon May 09, 2016 8:10 am
Whilst I'll not yet completely write of 2016 (I think the core group of this team have earned the right not to be written off until it's mathematically impossible to reach the top 4), I am now looking at how we can be better in 2017, and what recruitment options we may have.So, this starts with who's potentially going to be leaving and freeing up more cap space;
Achurch - Definitely gone, will free up a huge amount of cap space for a world class signing, or a couple of very decent signings
Falloon - difficult to measure as he's pretty much been injured the whole time, but if there are better options available, I think he'll be gone too
Ferres - apparently on a relatively low salary for this year, but will expect a big rise (probably taking the Achurch money). On his performances so far, I'd be inclined to say thanks, but no thanks and spend the money elsewhere.
JJB - I believe this is his last year, but wouldn't be against having around for another year as a squad pack man - brings some much needed leadership and enthusiasm
I'm not sure if we have any others off contract. I'd quite like Galloway to request an early release home as I don't feel he's offering much at all, but get the feeling he's enjoying his time living here.
So, with a reasonable amount of cap space available, and a marquee spot too, who should we be targeting? I think everyone would like as a minimum a top draw hooker and half....
Hookers - it was our approach to Wests for Farah as our marquee player last year that caused the whole issue between Wests and Farah. They thought it was an opportunity he should take and were already spending the spare cap expecting him to take the deal. When he said 'No, I want to stay in the NRL and Origin for now' they tried to force the issue.... He's most definitely the best hooker on the market this year and is exactly the type of player that we're missing. Excellent defensive work rate and attitude, a creative spark and leader of men. Gets some bad press for his relationships with coaches, but a lot of that is unfair in my eyes - he's a competitor and just wants the best for his team. I'd be willing to go all out for him... I'd certainly rather break the bank for Farah than settle for some of the other off contract 9's like Falloon, Kostjacyn, De Gois etc
Halves - Cronk is the only top half on the market, but will be staying at Melbourne by all accounts, so I don't think he's a goer.... So, what other halves could we target? Benji Marshall - not thanks... Peter Wallace - maybe, certainly not inspiring, but would bring a calm, old head, get us around the park type skillset without ever challenging the line, which is a big negative for me. But he'd do a job, come relatively cheap, and is a fantastic defender - could also do a shift at hooker - he's currently playing there and doing around 40 tackles a game. Could see him and Burrow alternating between 9 and 7.... There are some younger halves on the market in Keary, Brooks, Moses, but all will be staying in the NRL and couldn't come and do the job Leeds need of leading the team.
So, in terms of hookers/halves, With what's actually available, I'd be tempted to go all out for a Farah type hooker signing and go with a McGuire and Lilley combination, with Sutcliffe as back up. If Farah is still a no goer, could chase someone like Mitch Rein, but again he's likely to stay in Oz, so then you're looking at Wallace or a lower quality 9.
Other signings I'd possibly like to see us chasing who are off contract and realistic;
Luke Lewis - yes he's old and past his best, but he'd still add some much needed starch to the defence, a professional old head approach, some X-factor and speed around the ruck in attack - if certainly take him over Ferres.
Sam Moa - Like for like replacement for Kylie, and actually capable of quite big minutes
Ben Hannant - again, an older head, but a real workhorse front rower
Brenton Lawrence - likely to be in demand, but a good, hard and most important for me, fast prop - would be worth throwing a decent wedge at.
Unfortunately, I think of those available the type of signings most likely would be people like Jeff Robson, Kostjacyn, Nathan Friend, Ben Creagh, Dene Halatau all of which would be very much 'meh' signings....
Are there any players who are not off contract you think we should be chasing?
