Frawley was not the best fit for us, despite Rohan and Arthur both favouring him in patches. We needed someone like Jake Connor all along, a player that has the ability to consistently unlock opposition defences. Frawley's best asset was his defence, which was much more important in the Rohan team. We also needed someone with a better kicking game, and his vaunted organisation didn't do much for our attack.


At the same time, Brodie Croft has not turned into a resounding success either but he's always shown glimpses of quality - I'm more optimistic that one will still work out for us.


Jury still out on Ackers. I maintain Miller has been easily the best value of last year's Rohan Smith signings.

TBH if anyone had suggested last year that we replace Frawley with Connor I would have been speechless and I have a feeling that this forum would have exploded.

Brodie was probably our best player last year IMO, and he's still coming back from an injury - I think him and Connor are really starting to compliment each other, I really hope they can have a decent run together.

Miller was always going to be a bit of a project with his lack of experience but his talent was always there, I would argue he's the best full back in SL now (I know I am a Fan Boi) , and it really shows when he's not in the side.

Yep, he had some good games for us, particularly after Arthur arrived, but ultimately he's been outcompeted by a far more naturally talented player, who is now fully realising his potential. No shame in that. He's always come across as a decent bloke and a model pro and it's shame that it hasn't worked out for him.

If I had a choice, I'd like us to get Herbie Farnworth from the Dolphins.


Wouldn't be classed as a quota spot and is a quality centre. Tackle breaker and try scorer, as well as being able to supply his winger

Absolutely no chance of that happening.

Interesting point is this.

I agree there's zero chance of it happening, but is that because we don't have the cash to tempt him or because, even if we did, regardless of what we paid him, he wouldn't leave the NRL at this stage of his career. 


 

If Frawley does go this year I'd be surprised if we fill the spot before next season. Depending on available cap I think we might go like for like and fill the 2nd row spot that Gannon's departure will create with a NRL replacement. Maybe somebody like Ryan Matterson, if we could afford him. 

He’s on $850,000 dollars a year. Whilst we could put him as Marquee that would mean dropping a current marquee salary and we would have to be paying him quite a bit more than he’s in to tempt him away from the NRL.

He’s lived there since a teenager, in his prime and considered one of the best in the NRL.


Those types of players coming to the SL are long gone.

We don’t need to replace Frawley, Connor will get the 7 shirt with Sinfield as backup.

I don’t think we’ll see many signings, maybe like you say an NRL backrower but that will be it.


Lots of the younger players will be coming ‘on cap’ and personally I think the idea of keeping a settled squad is better than too many changes.

Yep. I think we'll see one incoming assuming Lisone resigns. Watkins was effectively a signing this year on next year's cap given the Sivo exemption. With the Sivo’s return, we effectively have what's left over from Watkins wage, the young players who will enter onto the cap, and the funds from the departures of Gannon  Frawley and ECW to play with. Continuity will have to be the watchword.