As Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks runs off-contract at the end of the season, the club has a difficult decision to make.
Zero Tackle takes a look at ten realistic options the Tigers could choose to replace the former Dally M Halfback of the Year.
All the players on the list are either off-contract at the end of 2023 or won't have an NRL club going into next season.
The options include six NRL players, three Super League players and an SG Ball halfback.
4Oliver Lawry (Wests Tigers SG Ball)
Instead of the Tigers looking to sign a new halfback, they may look to their junior ranks where they will find Oliver Lawry.
Recruited from New Zealand, Lawry stands at over six foot tall and has been exceptional in the SG Ball with his great skills and vision.
The youngster has already taken part in a handful of NRL training sessions with the Tigers in the pre-season where he developed under Brooks and Adam Doueihi.
Before being recruited to the club, the half was a standout in the Ruben Wiki Cup (National 20s) for South Island. Here, he was one of the standout performers in the entire competition.
That’s an imaginative list.
I take it they are all off contract at the end of the year – I’m too lazy to check.
Shaun Johnson is too old for a long-term replacement, and although he is having a great year this year there is no saying he will have a good year next. Ask any Cronulla supporter about his disappointing spell at the club.
Speaking of Cronulla, Daniel Anderson could be worth a punt. He is behind Nico and Tricky Trindall in the halves pecking order, so he might jump at the chance to play first grade, albeit for a struggling club.
The French guy from the Catalans is too big a risk: young, may struggle with the language, different country/culture, struggling team.
Aidan Seezer knows the NRL and could be a sensible pick-up, as could be Loloheaia – or get ’em both ! If not paying a million for Luke, Wests could afford a new guy and a spare.