Bup posted a discussion

To create a squad worthy of a premiership you have to get your dynamics right and 2017 was all over the place. Injuries played a part as they always do but a good squad can cover these with the right contingency plans.A big problem we faced in 18was the uncertainty in the fullback role. These days it’s crucial you have a settled custodian to one add cohesion to your attack but more importantly coordinate your defence. Depending who you preference for fullback is directly influences who you put on your flanks. For instance if Bevs your fullback you must go for size and punch in your wingers to offset Frenchs weakness from starting sets inside your own 20.If you opt for Guth you need one big body as well as speed . This option I’m not a fan of because your trying to be all things without creating any fluidity with your back three in attack and the opposition will kick to the side away from your stronger carrying winger.In the modern game your back three are instrumental in getting you to the big dance and it’s no surprise to see the big dogs this year all with a quality back field, which brings me to Hayne . If this is your option for fullback, for team cohesion a half must pick up the slack with the support play through the middle which is missing from Haynes game. A perfect example is a Keary type player who follows his ball runners adnauseum and is the best at his craft in the modern game. His support play is superior to Slaters.For me next year Ferguson would be my fullback , Hayne on the wing and hoping Sivo can push for first grade giving us a big dynamic back three which allows Gutherson to work on his passing , particularly a Gidley style flick  and creating overlaps for his wingers in the offseason as well as interchange Jennings with Hayne in attack.This allows us to better utilise our roster strength and negates any weakness the opposition can exploit.For the moment I’ll assume our halves remain the same so it brings us to our pack. We have plenty of leg speed in our forward pack and at the moment it’s not supported by ball carriers that can start our sets or bend the line. Juniors a start and I’d be spending the off season working with him on his play the balls. If he can scatter defences and get to his feet quickly our forwards like Brown , Terepo ,Alvaro and yes even Evans can capitalise with thier leg speed. He’ll need help though and without a further quality signing it’s of greatest concern moving forward. Tapau here would solve our problems, the ability to play the minutes Junior can’t , offloads , bending the line and staunch defence it’s the key signing for us and we have to get it done. If this occurs Mohoneys game will improve exponentially, he reminds me of Benny Elias , he’s got everything a quality rake needs to gain representative honours except for a forward pack to enable him. This off season working on his kicking game from dummy half should be a priority focussing on 40/20s and grabbers close to the line.Shaun Lane can be our Gavin Cooper if he can work up a rapport with Moses, a big body close to the line running an angle with Your Ferguson’s chiming into the backline with Hayne engaging the defence should see him crash over for plenty of meat pies. Those two need to be inseparable in the off season.The all important bench , another signing we need to get done is a utility. Not a makeshift utility but a genuine player that can cover your backline and hooker. Mahoney is not quite an 80 min hooker but his close and you need to cover an injury. Peachey would have been perfect. It’s slim pickings for off contract players and this will be a reacurring problem in 19. It’s where our bench will change weekly depending on the opposition.Ill be interested in our recruitment for 19 , our bench really lacked spark this  year and your simply not a genuine premiership threat without a quality bench to add thrust after 20 mins.Currently for me 2019 our back three is pretty much settled as well as our centres and halves. I can’t see us offloading any. We’ve added some size but lacking one more damaging ball runner and we’re short second phase play. Marty’s the man here and I’ll be supremely disappointed if we don’t make it reality. I’m well happy with Mahoney and if he stays injury free big money on another first grade hooker would be better spent on securing Tapau. Looking ahead for 2020 players to compliment what we have Tapine, Fischer-Harris and Waqa Blake should be a priority .When you have a settled spine it’s easier to attract a marquee signing and BA needs to work out his best 17 and stick. Cohesion brings confidence in both attack and defence and if we want to improve next year combinations are everything. So what’s the plan. Over to you gentlemen.See More