RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
Burto looks a 1st grader to me in every sense ... i see him actually going the Purdue pathway and coming in via centre not wing.
Recruitment & Retention 2027
- Thread starter jodragon40
- Start date
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
Yeah most young fullbacks start out on the wing or centres it feels like
Apart from Kini and Iongi in recent memory
Kini was definitely not first grade ready when he started playing
Iongi had 50+ reps in cup and was 22 when he debuted for parra
There’s a narrative I’m pushing here
Apart from Kini and Iongi in recent memory
Kini was definitely not first grade ready when he started playing
Iongi had 50+ reps in cup and was 22 when he debuted for parra
There’s a narrative I’m pushing here
GCRV
SGI NSW Cup
Didn't Purdue debut when he was 18 and has stayed in first grade since?
One thing which seems true about Dean Young is that he will go by the formula, if they are good enough, they are old enough. Burton will and should play first grade when he is good enough. That is how it should be.
Eric
Staff
Seems like a good plan. I was enthusiastic about Buchanan for a while but after seemingly not improving at all from last year, not so confident now. So maybe Holmes and hopefully Heidke in the centres next year, then Burton and Heidke then maybe Drinkwater is a utility on the bench in his third year with Burton fullback, Heidke and Cornelius Pupualii in the centres. Not sure who the wingers would be. Pretty much given up on Jesse Williams but what a centre/fullback combination!
RedVHeartbeat
SGI NSW Cup
I'm gonna throw in a clanger. Promote Eden Hodges instead and send Atkinson to ressies.
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
Adam Doueihi worth hiring to play 5/8?
Good player when healthy. I think Metcalf and Doueihi would work very well together but also both have their own injury concerns. Pretty sure we were the only club in for him earlier in the year when he resigned. My guess is he has a big deal on the table from the bears hence the agitation this week.
Rather that and maybe push Atkinson to centre instead of the rumoured Gutho move
AyiosYiorgos
SGI NSW Cup
Atkinson is terrible defender, today i have gone off him..
Fair call, i just can’t cop Gutho at centre for 2027
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
Atkinson needs to be moved on. LKT for all his numerous faults is far better and 5 years younger.
Morgan
SGI NSW Cup
After standing himself down due to not wanting to play where the coach wanted, demand for his services might be significantly reduced.
blacksafake
SGI Jersey Flegg
But he only wants to play 7
Anyway it’s a no for me
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
He smelt off to me ages ago. Just doesn't cut the mustard which is now rank.
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Seemed like today was the first part of the experiment with Atkinson @ right ctr.. its a lot to ask tbh to change without a preseason, and he should have taken the pass he got, think he was distracted..
Seems we are chasing a different 6 for 2027 so its just a qn of whether we get them.. either way seems like they don't see Atkinson there.. problem is im not sure whats gone wrong.. hes a better player than what we are seeing.. why is he seemingly struggling in all facets? Will he struggle in all positions we put him? I rly like his energy and competitiveness but something is up.. he could almost play in any position 1-7 or even hooker... yet you would think 6 would be his best.. maybe Metcalf will help him.. but its a gamble if we don't have another option.
I am hopeful the Gutho retirement will happen, cant he retire normally not medically, the only difference is we pay it, but still away from the cap?
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
There are links to us and Nikorima, but so are other clubs including Souths.. I thought it was a rly strange link at first cause im much more worried about our centres than our 5/8.. but it does seem like they are losing faith in Atkinson as our longterm 6.. and I dont think its LKT either... even though he may well get games in the weeks to come..
Douieh would also be a running 6 with a big boot.. but have to assume there is some sort of Isaac Moses plan going on there.. doubt hes coming to us.. he does legit seem to love his tigers too.. but seems he may have forced himself into a corner on that front.
And then there is Reed, whoever we did sign as a 6.. it cant be anyone too pricey.. has to be someone Reed can work his way past in a year or 2.. we also have Hammoud and Hodges.. but again they are probably 2+ yrs away from being a starting 1st grader (if they do make it)..
Douieh would also be a running 6 with a big boot.. but have to assume there is some sort of Isaac Moses plan going on there.. doubt hes coming to us.. he does legit seem to love his tigers too.. but seems he may have forced himself into a corner on that front.
And then there is Reed, whoever we did sign as a 6.. it cant be anyone too pricey.. has to be someone Reed can work his way past in a year or 2.. we also have Hammoud and Hodges.. but again they are probably 2+ yrs away from being a starting 1st grader (if they do make it)..
RufusRex
SGI NSW Cup
Moses enough to say no
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
I’m so off LKT and Atkinson, they’ve both been garbage this year
Can’t think of an immediate solution for ‘27 but atkinsons defence has always been shoddy. I’d rather play Kade than put up with another year of a fringe first grade half
Can’t think of an immediate solution for ‘27 but atkinsons defence has always been shoddy. I’d rather play Kade than put up with another year of a fringe first grade half
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
Hammoud played U19's in 2024... so would be 21, 22 next year.. thats almost old enough really to be first grade backup.. needs to play some cup obviously first (and stop getting injured).
Hodges I had to go searching cause I remember him just turning up in Flegg last year out of nowhere.. but he did play a few U19 games for Illawarra in 2024 also.. only off the bench though.. so he also would be around 21, 22 next year.. so again he will also be in cup and hopefully starting to prove himself.. need to remove ONeill out of the equation.. and wouldnt surprise me if LKT gets an offer elsewhere.. especially if we dont think hes the one.. problem is he has quite a few years experience on the other boys. Hodges could also potentially play 7 yet.. still tbd.. suppose Hammoud could also..
Hodges I had to go searching cause I remember him just turning up in Flegg last year out of nowhere.. but he did play a few U19 games for Illawarra in 2024 also.. only off the bench though.. so he also would be around 21, 22 next year.. so again he will also be in cup and hopefully starting to prove himself.. need to remove ONeill out of the equation.. and wouldnt surprise me if LKT gets an offer elsewhere.. especially if we dont think hes the one.. problem is he has quite a few years experience on the other boys. Hodges could also potentially play 7 yet.. still tbd.. suppose Hammoud could also..