Would agree our recruitment next year really has to step up and notch or two.

As both of you have mentioned the front row isn't too much of an issue and if we are able to add Bullock for next season or another of similar size/quality then we are pretty much covered there with Gardiner, Laidlaw added in.

A specialist/out & out 7 has to be a top priority to go alongside Trueman, with Smith as back up followed by Charles.

Hooker is then the next priority as can't see Brown staying beyond this year unless he fails to get deal back in the NRL and if we don't start giving Balmforth any opportunities I can see him going elsewhere (who'd blame him).

Centre and LF are the other two areas that need attention and we need to improve, Sutcliffe is decent enough but in Scott & Carlos both have poor injury records. Though do think Scott has progressed well and when fit is a good addition to the squad.
Again with the LF position not sure where we are at in that respect as a lot will depend on how our spine will be next season. If we have genuine quality in the halves and at 9 with an ability to be creative etc then someone like Fash would be an option, if we have a spine that isn't blessed with creative skill then we'd need a 13 in the mould of Westerman to give us some attacking threat.

Not sure on Hoy's future beyond this season, so depends on how Walker goes fitness wise and how Litten progresses too.

Think 7 & 9 are the big two that we can not afford to cut corners on or go with a make do or utility value.

13s another position we continually faff about in, i dont think Cators durable enough and we have too many like that, houghton and fash are never 13s both have zero creativity. A quality quota 13 with size and good hands would be great. Its a shame we dont see Sao there im hoping with the emergence of Staveley at second row and im hoping Jebsom really pushs through too we can have Saos presence at loose forward to further compliment our attack.

I'd hope we're looking at Kayal Iro if the club are looking for a strike outside back.

Just looked him up. Only played one first grade game for Cronulla but highly rated and tipped to be a regular this season. I hope not as he's the kind of centre who should do very well over here.

His dad could play a bit.

Cas almost got him last year but Cronulla pulled the plug last minute. Think he'd go well over here. I'm not sure he'll get into the Cronulla back line, unless one of them has a major injury

Many Cronulla fans want him picked ahead of Talakai whose more of a second rower playing at centre.

Might happen this season depending on how they go.

Can he play hooker?

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the 2025 Super League winning team

Walker

Tindall
Iro
Sutcliffe
Martin

Trueman
Clifford

Ese-ese
Levi
Ashworth
Okunbor
Staveley
Sao

Pele
Bullock
Balmforth
Brown

Iro would be an excellent signing but can’t see why he wouldn’t get a NRL deal.

Wouldn't go back for Clifford. Left at the earliest opportunity and very rarely works out the second time around.

Liked Iro since the World Cup when he played for Cook Islands

Jack Brown Rovers bound next season i've been told this morning.

If he goes, he goes, wouldn't feel like a big loss to me, he's been ok but not one that seems to have really kicked on

Whilst I'd be disappointed to lose Jack Brown he isn't a player that is irreplaceable or in all honesty wouldn't be difficult to replace. I like Brown but in all fairness I wouldn't say there was much to choose between Brown and Storton for example.

Similar to Bowden/Green, don't mind them in the team, but don't really feel weaker if you lose them

That rumour doing the rounds again?

Must be following the young half back