We'd need a reserve full back - if not Golding does that mean Briscoe Jr? I thought Albert was just contracted for this year?

Sutty can also play there. I actually think he isn't bad there and his ability to cover a number of different positions makes him more valuable than Golding for me.

He'd need to train as a back though - he's not lightning quick and if he bulks up to play mostly in the pack he may end up making Tui look like the Flash.

Sutcliffe should be nowhere near this club. He should absolutley be nowhere near a fullback postion, which he is without doubt the most imobile back in this country, including lower leagues.

Personally feel its time Sutcliffe moved on for the sake of both parties. This felt like a make or break season for him with us and still we talk about potential to play one position or another. Jack of all trades master of none. He is mid 20s now and for the sake of his own career probably needs a fresh start somewhere new where they may have a true vision for where he will play and stick by him wherever that may be.

Just think he is never going to do that with us now sadly.

Sutcliffe is defnintely a bit of a scape goat on here. He's not that bad a player, but his greatest asset is also his greatest weakness - utility! It's the Lee Smith effect. Where do you play him, because he's in between every position...

I guess like he would have been an old style loose forward, but the games not that like that anymore.

I'd keep him around providing he's not on loads of money, and with him expecting to play a bit of reserves from time to time. He shouldn't start in a fully fit team.

Agree with this but suspect that if he's down the pecking order he may look to move. Thing is, aside from a bench spot to cover injuries, do we need a utility player? Full back is the only position we don't really have cover for with Tui gone; the academy lads are a little way off physically still IMO - bearing in mind Walker has picked up a few injuries and he plays very direct.
I think the Sutcliffe situation will naturally resolve itself soon if he's not first choice first team.
More of interest to me actually is Cam Smith because he may need more time to develop.

I've been quite disappointed with Smith tbh. I know he is relatively young and it's tough coming into a squad at the wrong end of the table but a few on here have really bigged him up and I just don't see it.

I think some said he is out of contract this season, it will be interesting to see what happens. Personally I don't think he adds much more than sutty.

Smith at least has time on his side. He's still young enough to improve. He obviously has ability and shows some nice skills at times, but to me he lack physicality. Although he was clearly big at academy level, he doesn't look naturally athletic enough for a SL player...

I know there's plenty of exceptions to this, but it feels like you should be at least pushing 6ft and be minimum 100kg to be playing SL regularly.

Edit - Rhinos website lists him as 101kg. Can't see that being right. Looks smaller than that.

Yes I’m not sure being relatively big at junior levels does you a favour sometimes when it comes to open age and you don’t have the luxury of naturally bossing it any more.
Then again a player like Holroyd, to me, also has some aggression and domination about him.
He’ll have to improve to get in the team anyway next year with Mellor coming in and Ward hopefully fit again. There are also some very good juniors coming through biting at his heels.

Totally Forgot we'd signed Mellor



To be honest our potential first 17 squad is actually shaping up OK for next year

1. Walker
2. Briscoe
3. Newman
4. Hurrell
5. Handley
6. Lui
7. Myler/Mcclelland/ AN Other if signed
8. Ava
9. Dwyer/ maybe Lunt or AN Other
10. Oledski
11. Mellor
12. Ward
13. Merrin

14. Lunt/ AN Other
15. Donaldson (I'd keep him)
16. Singleton
17. Peteru/Crosby

What I'd like to see (realistically):

1. Walker
2. Briscoe
3. Newman
4. Hurrell
5. Handley
6. Lui
7. AN Other (Sezer)
8. Seumanafugai
9. Lunt
10. Oledski
11. Mellor
12. Ward
13. Merrin

14. Dwyer
15. AN Other (prop or second row with impact)
16. Holroyd
17. Mustapha/Smith/McLelland/Trout

Now that side is starting to look something like. Certainly not a bottom of the table team.

Sezer probably only possible if they extend the Marquee allowance to 3 I think.