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.

2. Will utility players find spots?

There are four players I want to highlight here, who I believe need to find regular spots to truly make a mark in 2021.

Jack Bird looks set for a full-time move into the forwards, with reports indicating he will wear the number 13 jersey this season. I love this move.

Moses Mbye has been recruited by the Dragons without an obvious position. That is problematic as he looks a waste as a 14.

Tyrone Peachey has all the potential in the world but has never nailed down a full-time, run-on position. He's another who is wasted when used as a "fill-in" from the bench.

Adam Doueihi, for mine, is the undoubted number six in Tiger Town and other decisions should be made around him. That said, he faces being named out of position now that the Luke Brooks move to Newcastle looks off.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Adam Doueihi of the Wests Tigers looks dejected during the round two NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, on March 21, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Three of the above four players have represented their state in the Origin arena, yet can you honestly tell me where each's best position sits?

Bird at 13 makes sense. Peachey at 13 also works for me. He has to run on for the Tigers. Doueihi needs to wear the six. Mybe, I have no idea where his future may end up.

Their respective coaches best have the answers come Round 1 as they shape as key decisions.

4 COMMENTS

  1. 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.

  2. 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!!

  3. 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.

  4. … 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.

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