I think we will only need another 1-2 signings to complete our recovery for 2023 as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if we allowed most of the off-contract players to leave and then signed a couple of big names. Even with upgrades for some younger players, if we let Myler, Dwyer, Martin, Thompson, Gale, Mellor, Briscoe maybe a couple of others leave we'd have +2 OS spots and a decent amount of salary to spend. I reckon we'd be in the game for a Taupau looking to finish their career over here. It certainly gives us options if we're willing to make tough calls on some established players.

Pity we couldn't have made some more changes for this year due to some contracts being too long IMO, we look just about ready to go now. At least we can see the light at the end of the tunnel though and the cards look in our favour after some very tough years.

Does anybody else think that we overplay the wingers bringing the ball up from defence?
I understand them hitting it up when we have a quick ptb or if the forwards are still working their way back onside but what I dont get and it annoys me is when they hit up against a set defence. All the big guys lined up and ready, why not have another big prop banging into them rather than one of the more lighter weight speedier runners.
Can't see the logic

Does anyone see Blake Austin as a left centre instead of Liam Sutcliffe? Surely he offers more going forward and probably has a higher pass/kick skillset too? Gale>Mellor>Austin>Handley might have some bite to it. Just musing where he might fit in the team - I don't see him in the pack personally but he has the size and running game for centre IMO. I think he'd put Handley away for plenty of tries too.

Can definitely see an Austin/Sezer combination this year if and when Gale gets injured again. That first game selection is going to be mightily interesting though. Austin too good to be on the bench for us?

Rather get Tyler Dupree back after his season with Widnes.

Matt do you know why we let him go in the first place?

No i dont know pal. If i had to guess i would think that it was just in his best interests, go and play in the chamionship and get his career started...Which has worked brilliantly for him so far. He was behind Holroyd and was unlikely to get much playing time here. Really hope he has another year of progress like his last one and we'r monitoring him closely.

Possibly but i still see him as a six.The warm up games should give us an indication as where Gaile Austin and Sezer fit in.

Sezer is one of the first names on the team sheet if he's fit isn't he, so it's then a duke out between Gale and Austin.

I just think because Sezer is that rare animal who can play the right hand side naturally, I expect Gale to start on the left at 7 still. Could be wrong.

I'm just wondering whether Austin is significantly better than Sutcliffe, rather than a bit better than Gale if that makes sense. Sutcliffe is very good on his day but for various reasons we haven't seen enough of those days.

There is still an outside chance Gale might seek an early release if he can find a 2 year deal somewhere and thinks he can play on, who knows?

Good problems to have compared with last season that's for sure.

Got to remember Gale is still on a marquee contract. Extremely unlikely that he would get a commensurate wage anywhere else for 2022. He's a terrific competitor and I really expect him to fight hard for a starting spot. Ultimately his body could let him down over the course of the season and certainly beyond that.

The club deliberately wants three half backs for 2022 as proper injury cover. Gale would really need to make a scene to get a release.

I agree he still can do a job for us at 7. When fit he's a good player still.

Would help both half backs if they got crisp and reliable service from the ruck of course.

Gale is still a very very good half. He’s a big asset to the team

Updated

1 Myler
2 Handley
3 Newman
4 Sutcliffe
5 Fusitu’a
6 Austin
7 Sezer
8 Oledzki
9 Leeming
10 Prior
11 Bentley
12 Martin
13 Tetevano

14 Holroyd
15 Dwyer
16 Mellor
17 Smith

Most of the side picks itself I think - I wouldn't be surprised to see Walker get ahead of Myler but it really depends on pre-season.

Mellor could make sense on the bench as cover at centre or back row, but I guess you could also put another middle in there such as Thompson or Mustapha and push Bentley or Martin out wide too. Mellor is under some pressure this year, with Gannon and Walters coming through too.

Anyway lots of options for Agar which is what he'll want. There will be a few noses out of joint for the first few games but fringe players will come into contention as soon as we get injuries.

Broadbent or Briscoe probably start at centre as Sutcliffe is not quite due back for season start.
Donaldson may get in over Smith, as I cannot see Smith and Mellor both being on the bench, and Donaldson plugs that middle role well, Smith make or break year break year, if he’s not a starter by now be never will be.