Who is our long term fullback?

BULLDOGGSFAN

Kennel Participant
Joined
Aug 16, 2023
Messages
266
Reaction score
394
Who is our long term fullback?

Connor Tracey will be 29 next year and has had an injury ravaged career although he's coming off a career best season and seems to have cemented himself as our first choice FB over Blake Taffe, Kiraz and Papalii.

The Storm are prepared to table a monster $3 million deal to keep star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen out of the hands of their NRL rivals.
The star No.1 has been on the radar of NRL teams, including Parramatta, but the Storm are prepared to go all-out to retain their bona fide matchwinner.

For reference this is the list of off contract FB this year:

Clinton Gutherson, Albert Hopoate, William Kennedy, Daine Laurie, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ryan Papenhuyzen, James Tedesco, Taine Tuaupiki, Reece Walsh, Blake Wilson...
and I'd probably throw in Xavier Savage and Selwyn Cobbo to that list as well (even though they're technically wingers).

So do we stick with Tracey or do we try to make a "marquee" signing like a rep player e.g Cobbo, Gutho, Walsh, Tedesco or Papi?

Plenty of elite talent off contract and we all know how important these spine decisions are. The dominant teams are always the ones with the best players in key positions.

 
I'd be looking at Daine Laurie, Pappy, Savage and Sua Faalongo
 
We need a top FB because Tracey is not it. Too many structural flaws in his game that cannot be fixed at his age. Injury prone too.

He's ok if we need to protect SC funds for other positions and tread water in positions 6-12th in the next few years.

But you dont win premierships with guys like Tracey at FB. He's an opposition coaches dream to play in a GF at FB. They'd pick him like a snot.
 
Conor Tracey. He's solid and hasn't put a foot wrong.
agree there.. He will be our FB next year BUT maybe we sign Sua Faalogo for 26 and beyond.. Joash is not the answer.. We need middles more than a marquee Fullback tho
 
Newtown Jets Fullback ex St Marys and Panthers, 2 McLean brothers at Panthers also.
 
We need a top FB because Tracey is not it. Too many structural flaws in his game that cannot be fixed at his age. Injury prone too.

He's ok if we need to protect SC funds for other positions and tread water in positions 6-12th in the next few years.

But you dont win premierships with guys like Tracey at FB. He's an opposition coaches dream to play in a GF at FB. They'd pick him like a snot.
Tracey more than solid and very good value, we need a halfback.
 
Fox sports are saying:

Eels are interested in signing talented Bulldogs fullback Joash Papalii for next season.

A No.1 by trade, Papalii’s arrival would see him challenge Isaiah Iongi for the club’s fullback jersey, though the young gun has the versatility to play multiple positions, and even featured off the bench for the Bulldogs in this year’s NSW Cup competition.


I guess we would have Taffe, Kiraz, and Wilson that could all cover the position if need be.

Oh and let's not forget Stephen Crichton who this time last year everyone was talking about as a potential number one.

So depth shouldn't be an issue there...
 
Fox sports are saying:

Eels are interested in signing talented Bulldogs fullback Joash Papalii for next season.

A No.1 by trade, Papalii’s arrival would see him challenge Isaiah Iongi for the club’s fullback jersey, though the young gun has the versatility to play multiple positions, and even featured off the bench for the Bulldogs in this year’s NSW Cup competition.


I guess we would have Taffe, Kiraz, and Wilson that could all cover the position if need be.

Oh and let's not forget Stephen Crichton who this time last year everyone was talking about as a potential number one.

So depth shouldn't be an issue there...
Taaffe not good enough for 1st grade.
 
Back
Top