Re: 2019 Recruitment : Sat Jun 16, 2018 12:47 pm
Hastings is a half back Brearley but sometimes plays 9 as well.If we sign him it will definitely be to play in the halves and I think it will spell the end of Ryan Hinchliffe at the Giants as I can see Jordan Turner playing loose forward next year if we bring in a new half.
Ollie Russell is definitely going to be the future of the club but he definitely needs to mature physically.
Can see Brough been used sparingly next season. He will probably be used in specific games and may even be used as hooker cover when someone is injured too.
Even with Hastings and Uate I still think we need another 2nd row and prop to be a real competitive team in the top 4.
1. Rankin/Darnell - I don't think Darnell has been given a fair extended run at Full Back and I think Rankin isnt great myself. Very hesitant and isnt playing no where near as good as he was last season.
2. Jerry
3. Leroy
4. Wardle/Gaskell
5. Uate
6. Hastings
7. Turner/Brough
8. English
9. Leeming
10. Taai
11. Mellor
12. New 2nd row?
13. Turner/Smith
14. O Brien
15. Seb
16. Roberts (when fully fit, not on this years form though)
17. New prop
I will get slated for this but I honestly dont think the likes of Murphy, Clough and Bruno are first choice top 4 players. They are all very dependable players and great servants who do whats asked of them but I honestly think we need more quality to be a top 4 team.
We also have the likes of Ferguson (new deal still not announced) Dickinson and Sam Wood.
I expect to lose :
Hinchliffe
Wakeman
Mamo
Walne - I think he will join his brother at KR or go searching for regular first team action
Colton Roche - Think he will leave early also in search of regular first team action and probably to a top end Championship team.
Id try offload Gaskell but simply cant see that happening given the contract hes on.
Nathan Mason, Liam Johnson, Izaac Farrell & Mikey Wood are all OOC and I expect them all them to move on. I was thinking we may keep Farrell but after Russells performances and the fact weve been linked to Tom Holmes, I doubt it.
Weve promoted Sam Hewitt, Jon Luke Kirby, Ollie Russell and the Senior Twins. I expect us to loan Kirby and Hewitt out to Championship/league 1 sides. Senior twins I think will remain in our academy and will get first team chances too.
Will be interesting to see how Kirby does in comparison to Dickinson as English has burst onto the scene and is well further up the pecking order.