The NRL is flooded with great players.
As NRL fans, we hear reasons like "coach is not interested because he doesn't fit the mould for the future of our club" or players may simply be on the move, hungry to be the best in their chosen position. I'd like to share a list of players your club should look at signing to maximise their future.
A great young centre but it appears Craig Bellamy may want Scott out. With players like Scott Drinkwater, Jahrome Hughes, Marion Seve and super young talent Ryan Papenhuyzen, the opportunity is certainly limited for Scott. In addition to recognised first graders Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu are all established “Storm” players. With seven rising or recognised players, only five spots remain available. Keeping Curtis in the mix simply doesn’t work. History confirms Melbourne Storm have attracted young QLD players, like Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith etc through their feeder club.
Here we have a talented player with grunt and brute strength who can successfully fend off the likes of GI. But Euan is under pressure from rising star Zac Lomax. Coach Paul McGregor has indicated Zac's goal kicking keeping him in his side. However, it is likely Zac will make way when Widdop returns. Though Zac does seem the long term centre for the Dragons. It looks like the left centre position is Tim Lafai’s without a doubt. Zac has moved to fullback and Euan is back in the centres this week. With Widdop leaving for England next year a goal kicker is paramount. So Euan might want to jump off the Dragon train early.
The Dally M Rookie of the Year for 2018 was hoping to be one of the boom wingers of the competition this year. However, Anthony Seibold had a different plan and dropped the sharpshooter, instead going with Gehamat Shibasaki. Jack Bird has suffered an ACL injury and Seibs has moved Jamayne Isaako back to his wing position and Gehamat Shibasaki in the centres. Leaving the question of what happens for Isaako when Bird returns next season?
What a rocky start to the 2019 season dropping six balls at the back in one weekend. Combine that with a fellow teammate collision over a high ball, things don’t look good for Edwards to rely on coach Cleary to make room for him next season. The Panthers have two fullbacks on their books Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Dylan Edwards. Noting these two players are solid fullbacks, not wingers. Edwards may want to start searching for his own number one jersey in new colours.
Similar situation for this qualified fullback though rumours have Dallin moving to the blue and gold jersey. Though Parramatta have a solid back 3 with Blake Ferguson, newly re-signed Captain Clint Gutherson and the next “Semi Radradra” Maika Sivo and reserve Josh Hofman. Dallin could lift the Bulldogs who need a quality fullback or fill the hole as fullback for the Cowboys.
Sezer has been in the NRL for a while now but unable to secure his first-grade spot in the halves with Jack Wighton and Sam Williams on the park each week. This combination looks locked in for the rest of the season. Canberra have added English sensation George Williams to a massive three-year deal so it doesn’t help Sezer. I could see him in Manly or Penrith colours with rumours surfacing that James Maloney could move to England.
Classy number nines are in short supply at the moment. Api is currently just in front of young gun hooker Manase Fainu. Fainu recently re-signed on a three-year deal so Des and Manly recognise him as their long term hooker. Madge’s Tigers look to target Api's skill set to replace retiring hooker, Robbie Farah.