I think chasing a centre would only happen if we did not land our preferred fullback meaning that Hopoate may play one & not shift to centre.
If we were going to chase a centre, I think it would only be a youngster on modest money for depth only. Money is better spent in spine players.
I honestly believe we are going hard for Staines as our fullback for 2021, which would also help us entice his good buddy Burton either in 21 or 22.
This is what I see as our backs moving forward-
1. Charlie Staines (other fullback options as cover) - Hopoate, Averillo, Meaney, Cotric, DWZ (6 fullback options)
2. Remis Smith (other wing options as cover) - Okunbor, Staines, DWZ, Meaney, Tuipulotu Katoa, Crichton (7 wing options)
3. Nick Cotric (other centre options as cover) - Hopoate, Averillo, Remis Smith (4 centre options unless one of the wingers can successfully transition)
4. Will Hopoate
5. Jayden Okunbor
6. Averillo (other 5/8 options) - Wakeham, Lewis, Green. (4 halves options currently in total although Green is unavailable for the first half of the year)
7. Benji Marshall for 1 year if we can agree to terms - Or Lewis - Or Green when fit Or Burton if he can leave Penrith a year early from his contract.
Reading between the lines, after reading JMK's comments regarding wanting his brother Benji at the Dogs next year, I read into the part when he says ''I'd love him to come here but that's up to him" - I understood that to mean that he has an offer on the table from us, now its up to him to accept.
As we currently only have 4 halves options available right now with the release of Foran & Cogger, I would be putting my money on landing at least one other quality half with a controlling kicking game.
With rumor's about Chad Townsend, I can see how he would fit as a 7 who has a controlling kicking game now that Green is injured, as the kicking game is the one big thing that we are so desperately missing. I think that's why Baz took Green for a year.
The other stop gap 7 for a year may be Benji Marshall whos general play kicking has improved immensely late in his career. I think Benji, although not everybody's first preference - due to his current un-contracted situation would be the most likely outcome for 2021.
