On the surface the signing of Cust would initially seem an odd or strange signing but when you look at it we have two young hookers in Balmforth & Bourouh and question marks over the robustness of the half back pairing. Bringing in Cust who whilst taking up a quota spot I wouldn't think will be a huge hit on the cap but can play both 6 & 9. Think its also telling that he is known to Cartwright and a player he has coached previously at two clubs so will know his character as much as his playing ability.

As others have said we are in serious need of a quality centre as we look very weak in that area currently. If we can get at least one quality centre, a decent non quota forward to replace Pele and possibly another 2nd row or centre option I think we will be in a much better position than we have for a very long time. Guessing FB depends on how Cartwright & Myler view Walker, Litten & Moy.

I guess in some ways this years stripping back the decks and rebuilding is a bit like a jigsaw, as it only takes shape when almost all the pieces are put together. I think we are sometimes guilty of underestimating just how much work and change was needed after the damage done in the latter years of Radford, then Hodgson all topped off with Smith.
It's also worth remembering we were already behind the 8 ball when we started or were able to start making changes that have long been needed as most player will have already had deals sorted plus we will have been a very hard sell due particularly with form and no coach in place for 2025 for a period of time.

Will we have a quota place left to sign a centre as well?

Does that leave us with 1 quota spot....unless Okunbor goes and we are back to 2?

We'll shift Okunbor

I think currently we now only have one quota spot left going in to 2025 unless the club can agree to a release with Okunbor.

Ese'ese
Sao
Asiata
Cartwright
Cust
Okunbor

If we release Okunbor and Sao comes off the quota I'll be happy with the Cust signing, that would leave us with room for an overseas full back and centre

Id keep Sao and play him as prop. Okunbor I'd shift. Leaving us still with 2 quota spots. Strike centre and a FB. Seems we are targeting a significant FB according to Mr Tomlinson

Interesting in the interview pearson stated nrl regulars

He does have a habit of coming out with "alternative facts"

Okunbor, Reynolds and Evans were NRL regulars...

Spoilsport!!

Just shows we didn't do any research with our overseas signings. Pretty much everyone could see they'd be a disaster except Clarke

Jayden going so gives us two spots to play with, still wouldn’t have signed Cust to be back up. Need two real quality additions with those quota spots, baring Asiata recruitment is underwhelming so far.

He didn’t though did he?

Assuming it’s the same YP interview linked on here, if not I apologise but the closest I could see was the following quote:

“ The players we're looking at are very much top of the analysis charts worldwide. They're good players."

That literally could mean anything. If they’re using a money ball type system it could just mean these players top the charts worldwide for a certain stat, but it could be in the Queensland cup, SL, NRL or anywhere. Also just because we are looking at players doesn’t mean we’ll offer the necessary money to get them to sign.

Given that it has been clearly stated by the club that the 'rebuild' is a medium term project I'm pretty happy with Cust in for Okunbor and the recruitment in general. We were never going to sign a squad that would get us into the playoffs in one year. It's probably already been the biggest player overhaul the club has seen in years with at least a couple more to come.