For me, like most NRL fans, 2022 cannot come quickly enough.
For some coaches though, they need every day (and then some) to make the decisions that will shape their club's future.
With positions in the eight at a premium, the smallest of decisions can alter a team's season. We've seen it recently with coaches reluctant to make changes, only for fortunes to improve when a difficult call was finally made.
There are a host of big decisions to be made before Round 1 next season. Below are the five I believe will need to be made ASAP and stand to have a huge bearing on early season results.
4. Who is number one for the Red V?
Reports have emerged over the past few days that the race to claim the Dragons number one jersey is down to two; Cody Ramsey and Tyrell Sloan.
This is one question I can answer with confidence, and I'm happy to do so for free... It's Tyrell Sloan.
Cody Ramsey has shown signs of developing into an incredible footballer, on the wing. Meanwhile Tyrell Sloan was a genuine highlight in an otherwise dire 2021 for the Dragons.
I suggest reports were leaked to take pressure off the Dragons youngster, who as of this moment is still on a development contract.
They may also have been released to keep Ramsey happy, given he was mooted as the future fullback after the Matt Dufty fiasco midway through last season.
Sloan is a freakish talent with highlight moments and six tries to his NRL career to date. One that at just five games is very much still in its infancy.
Fullback
Tries
Try Assists
Tackle Breaks
It's hard to see where the points come from for the Red V in 2022 and beyond, so they need every possible attacking option firing.
Sloan offers so much. Not to say Ramsey doesn't, but it's very easy to fit both into the run on side if that's what Anthony Griffin wants.
Watch as Rugby League Outlaws discuss all things Off-Season
Sorry I’ve seen nothing from Cody Ramsey to see him as first grade material let alone fb material. His defence is every bit as bad as Dufty’s, his handling is atrocious, he dropped so many bombs and conceded us so many tries this season it was embarrassing. Also his passing game is weak and he simply did not make up for any of this by scoring a lot of tries. Ramsey should be our fourth choice winger after Ravalawa, and the Fegai’s. Sloan showed more promise in his few games at fb than Ramsey did all year on the wing.
Alas Griffin is clueless and Ramsey will no doubt get the #1 slot and we’ll end up releasing Sloan and Amone.
I agree with Mr Majestyk about Cody Ramsey for exactly the same reasons PLUS he cannot tackle……the guy is an out and out dud whereas Sloane is an up & coming superstar – no doubt about that – if Hook gives Ramsey a start in the Top 17 – let alone fullback – then Hook has to get the Hook!!
Potential Sharks halves: Trindall, Moylan and Hynes. If only it were that simple. Potentially, the best of the lot is Luke Metcalf. Unfortunately, they have not promoted him to a top30 spot, and are seemingly unlikely to do so before the middle of the season. If I were the coach, I would get him into the top 30 now (somehow) and make him a starting half – telling the others they will have to fit in as injury demands.
Or if that is too hard, and Craig Fitzgibbon has no intention of using him, approach Newcastle and offer him – for a transfer fee – for 12 months, until he goes to Auckland.
… or better still, approach the Warriors and see if they want Metcalf a year early – for a transfer fee, of course. Then the Warriors could give Ash Taylor the punt (to Newcastle, perhaps) and have Johnson, Harris-Tevita and Metcalf to provide quality in depth for their spine.