Quote: batleyrhino "We need 5 good quality props, and then can move into the ranks after that. We have Mik, Prior, Tet, Tommy the Tank, and then a gap. King hasn’t proven himself and honestly isn’t worth the O/S spot. We need to sign another good prop before we start talking about projects from Bradford or the like.
Props are one of the most likely to get injured, and you need 4 per game so 5 good ones is an absolute minimum.'"
For me if King was that prop then fine. I'm still not 100% ruling him out because he got knocked out again, we need to consider performance over time.
However if we was that good then he probably wouldn't be in a position to sign a 1 year deal in SL on a wing and a prayer - and we need to make a decision on this because that high-quality prop spot is important.
If everyone is fit it gives us options to let Prior or Tet sit back at 13 if needed too - although I think Cam Smith has been in good form when fit this year.
We need four up front who really take it to the opposition all game with no let-up. Once we sort this pack out, and we're almost there I think, then we can really turn attention to the back line. I don't think gaining field position has been our problem this season, it's been lack of ideas and decision making in good ball, and costly individual errors.
Another potential benefit Austin signing gives us is that we may be able to train 13 v 13 in pre-season: we have Gale, Sezer, Austin and Sinfield (assuming McLelland goes, he might not)... Opposed training is really useful and it's good for competition for places in first grade too.