Agree with you about Meaney's progress. He rarely got pushed backwards in 2020 and was pretty safe and is a decent finisher. But although he's very quick in space, he rarely finds any because he lacks a decent take-off. He has no sideways agility and acceleration off the mark. I don't think he can put enough size on to be physically imposing so he should work more on his initial speed IMO.
Ivan's already said (with a straight face) that Burton staying at Penrith is the best thing for his career. Being able to soak up Ivan's aura for another 12 months is a gift don't you know.
Probably needs to have a big year..9 tries in 37 games is hardly a high output(and scored 3 in one game)so needs something to change.
Last season maybe having a few decent players around him would have helped, this season no such excuse.
I'm actually more confident we will end up getting Burton for 2021. I think Fox is committed to one last year with the Storm.
i think there is more to Smith leaving early, just a hunch
Smith out, Smith in
If Brandon goes to the Broncos I'd like to see us going after Jake Turpin again. We didn't get to see him (or the Broncos) last year due to injury, but I think he can be someone special (which is sort of why I have us and Titans as favourites for Brandon, I think the Broncos will stick with Turpin). There isn't a lot available at hooker, but I think he's a similar transfer target to other players we've signed and targeted.
He can’t even pass.
I don't agree, but who do you want? Outside Brandon Smith, Turpin and McInnes I don't see anyone else.
I’d be very surprised if Hoppa is retained past this year, as he is one of a number of players off contract and by buying Allan they’re looking to the future. Yes many say Hoppa’s best at FB but I remember reading a quote from Hoppa himself say that he’s preferred position is to play FB. If that’s the case he can do better elsewhere when signing his next contract. Furthermore you only have to look how many signings we’ve already made since Barrett has come onboard. With JAC arriving in ‘22 it’s going to attract a lot younger and faster talent to the club with so many off contract players at the end of this season.
hoppa has been one of our best for the last 3 years or so, id hate to see him go. i reckon next year he would make the transition to a luke lewis style edge back rower. He already is a big body, can hit a hole, great hands and defence. if he decided to go that way, put some bulk on, i reckon he would be a success.
Not wishing to start an argument, but I'm not sure I understand how having a large number of other players off contract next year somehow makes Hopoate more likely to not be resigned. I would have thought exactly the reverse, some continuity would be desirable, and being one of the senior players and one of the better players his ongoing presence would be of benefit.
If we want a position for Averillo, which I think we should, unless Allan or Burton are flops at fullback and five-eighth (no reason to think they would be), Averillo probably needs to be in the centres. To me that'd mean we'd have to not re-sign Hopoate or what I actually prefer shopping DWZ around. We've sort of created our own Cleary, Luai and Burton situation (Burton, Flanagan and Averillo), but with Allan coming it's probably even more complicated. I guess you can't always keep everyone, but it doesn't make much sense to me signing long term players in positions where our most promising player coming through plays. Time will tell anyways.
My view is if Averillo earns a position then he will get one. So far I don't think he is remotely close to demanding that he be picked in any position. Plainly he has attacking skills, mostly in his feet, but the rest of the package required of an NRL player simply isn't there, YET. He has time, we just need to give it to him.
We need to pursue Daryl Clarke..even if there is a transfer fee
He is by far the most un orthodox player on the NRL if there is one player that doesn’t look like a footy player currently in first grade it’s him but give the guy credit he is a good player and does his job well would happily have him playing for the dogs one day
