Which halfback can win us a comp?

BULLDOGGSFAN

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Resigning Toby Sexton is actually a HUGE decision and really important for the next two years because let's assume Woods isn't going to be ready until at least 2026 and even then - Being ready to play first grade and being ready to win a comp is two very different things.

So let's say (option one) we sign Ben Hunt as a stop gap until Woods is ready and he could do a bit of an apprenticeship under Hunt. Hunt wouldn't come for less than 900k and that would impact our other recruitment and retention plus signing middles etc.

But on the bright side, Hunt would look fucking fantastic alongside Burton and could be the difference with us really challenging for a title and simply making the eight.

Option two is we keep Sexton and sign him on a 2-3 year deal (he wouldn't stay for less) and trust that he will improve and develop into one of the premier halves in the game. Keeping in mind guys like DCE and Reynolds only have a few years left.

Option three is we throw the kitchen sink at Sam Walker. This is a bit of a weird one BUT last time he was off contract Ciraldo did have talks with him and if I remember correctly it was when he was still at Penrith and hadn't gotten his feet under the desk yet. So it's not as strange as you might think and Ciraldo obviously rates him.

Throw all that in with the fact that the Broncos are going to be going hard for a Reynolds replacement, the Titans would know Foran can't play seven forever, the Dragons will be without a half and even the Roosters if they lose Sam Walker will be left without a half...

Anyway I'm curious to hear your thoughts Kennel and what you think. Should we resign Sexy on a more modest deal or go hard for someone like Hunt or Walker who would command a much bigger contract.

One thing we do have going for us is we have plenty of cap space to make a big signing!

Just for perspective, here's a list of halves coming off contract this November:

Jake Arthur, Daniel Atkinson, Tanah Boyd, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Clifford, Tom Duffy, Kyle Flanagan, Jackson Hastings, Bailey Hayward, Ben Hunt, Drew Hutchison, Lachlan Ilias, Sean O'Sullivan, Jonah Pezet, Adam Reynolds, Brad Schneider, Toby Sexton, Blake Taaffe, Chad Townsend, Braydon Trindall, Sam Walker
 

_G-Dog_

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I see merit in having a Ben Hunt for a year or 2 max.. but still need to keep Sexton as its too risky relying just on Ben Hunt same as its risky relying just on Sexton..

Sexton needs to develop into a dominant halfback.. and Ben Hunts form at NRL this year wasnt consistent..
 

Utility

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I see merit in having a Ben Hunt for a year or 2 max.. but still need to keep Sexton as its too risky relying just on Ben Hunt same as its risky relying just on Sexton..

Sexton needs to develop into a dominant halfback.. and Ben Hunts form at NRL this year wasnt consistent..
Why would Sexton stay to be an understudy when he could get a starting gig elsewhere?
 
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Utility

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I'd like Sexton to stay, but if Woods is as good as people say he is, he would know he is on borrowed time, so I can't blame him if he's checking out the lay of the land elsewhere.

I think Hunt could be really good for us if his attitude is right... and no reason to think it wouldn't be. He has wanted out of the dragons for a long time. This is what happens when you hold players against their will. Despite how unhappy he is there, he still played great footy this year. Not only would Hunt give us a real crack at a premiership in the next two years, but you'd think he could also impart a lot of experience and wisdom which would help Burto and Woods take their games to another level. A lack of experience cost us our season this year and someone like Hunt would have won us that Manly game. That's not a dig at Sexton, but experience really is invaluable.

Wouldn't even be looking at Walker. I'm excited to see what Woods becomes, so if we are not sticking with Sexton, Hunt makes much more sense to me, as by the time Woods is NRL-ready, he would be about ready to pull up stumps.

I'd be happy with Sexton sticking around. he did a great job this year. Having said that, I think if we have a genuine chance of landing Hunt, we'd be crazy not to look at him... as long as he is keen and his attitude is on point.
 

Dogs4EVA-1

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Next year this is what our halves should look like in all grades:
NRL - SEXBOMB & Burto
NSW Cup - Cassius Tia 7 and Joseph O'Neill 6 - Hutch needs to be retired off
Flegg - Mitchell Woods 7 and Alex Conti 6

That is some great young halves coming through the pipeline
 

_G-Dog_

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Why would Sexton stay to be an understudy when he could get a starting gig elsewhere?
Hunt would be for 2 years max and could be signed after Sexton has committed.. no certainty we are getting Hunt anyway .. he prob just wants to go back to QLD like hes said before..
 

Lost Dog

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Does anybody know much about Cassius Tia. Could he also in the running for a future halves position.
 

Dog-Treat

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We went to the gf with keating and hodkinson in 2012 and 2014. Give sexton an offseason with burto
Hodkinson wasn't making the team that year it was Keating and Reynolds. That's 2014 and it was Reynolds as 6 with him
 

Moey91

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Yeah we made the GF but both sides that beat us had better halfbacks (Cronk and Reynolds) which really shows the value of getting these decisions right.
I still dont think Haunt is the answer. I know these words are going to hunt me, but Id prefer DCE over Hunt.

Look at the difference between the 2. I dont see how Hunt has improved Flopagan at all they dont work together as a team

Brooks made it to his first final under the wing of DCE. We need someone with the mindset of DCE if we were to be contenders
 
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GA45

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We went to the gf with keating and hodkinson in 2012 and 2014. Give sexton an offseason with burto
Yep we weren’t that far off. Just made silly mistakes which hurt icing the game.

A season together would be good for the club. Hunt is a highly paid failure. Never won anything at club land yet some how is the saviour here
 

Roger the alien

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Next year this is what our halves should look like in all grades:
NRL - SEXBOMB & Burto
NSW Cup - Cassius Tia 7 and Joseph O'Neill 6 - Hutch needs to be retired off
Flegg - Mitchell Woods 7 and Alex Conti 6

That is some great young halves coming through the pipeline
The halfback in Harold Matts, Matthew Barakat looks really good too.
 
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