You put words in my mouth. I said the impact of utai. I like how u never mentioned me saying why cant we have wings like radradra or dwz or johnston.
Adam perry and corey hughes were great for us in attack and defense. If you look at our 2004 team we had talent across the park. Our forward pack may match the 2004 pack in size but not in skill. Why cant the dogs have guys that play like hargreaves or george burgess in the team. We never really replaced steve price and mark o meley with james graham the only exception. David klemmer is going down that path but he is still young. We never replaced SBW either.
Our backline in that year was dynamic and most importantly we had kickass halves. Thats something we dont have anymore. If des hasler had that team he would have won heaps of premierships. Our current team leaves a lot to be desired.
One does not simply replace SBW, he is a once in a generation type of freak. Hell similar can be said for Steve Price or in his prime O'Meley.
James Graham is one that could though there are what 4-5 props in the comp in the same league?
JWH might be great in some aspects though if he played for us the place would be in rage non stop of his stupid penalties. Watch him every single game he gives away a few.
Klemmer will be a beast for years to come if he continues to develop as he has.
I agree our attack blows. Though as others have said with Perrett at fullback he was only ever going to be solid. He isn't a rip a game open type of player. Don't even bother bringing up Mitch bloody Brown. He is woeful. They have added Brett Morris & Curtis Rona that is a huge step and something we are yet to see the best of.
The major problem in my opinion is Hodkinson. He was solid last year and serviceable, though again he has very very little attacking ability. He is playing like a busted ass. I don't care if he gives a pass to get a stat to which he had no role in creating other then the final pass to an umarked player. He can't create a overlap, he can't break the line, he can't put in an attacking kick. Don't get me wrong he is very good in defense and is still a O.K halfback in the NRL. Though he is one of the worst when it comes to all respects in attack.
I would be much more interested in seeing how Mbye & Reynolds could combine. Reynolds offers a lot in attack and if he can cut the rubbish out he offers a lot more then the others in my books, has shown he can kick 40/20's has been working on it, can grubber (how a half can't I have no idea, runs pretty well.
Mbye has shown he can ball play with some cut out passes, some attacking runs etc and he has barley had a chance to cement himself to show us what he can do. He may yet prove the complete package if he had a chance though could go the other way and flop.
I think this has a lot more to do with out lackluster attack then anything else though B Morris and Rona will only improve this along with Sammy P back on the wing. Just need the 6 & 7 to start grubbing for repeat sets and allowing ball for Lafai & Morris & Morris & Perrett & Rona without someone waiting for them or no room to move.