Vic - my only issue with Oledzki is that he's a bit one-paced. What we need is a pack as a whole which can stand up to big, aggressive opponents - especially early in games, when we've had a tendency to get blown away at times. I expect this is something we'll see next season, as our defensive approach will be very different up the middle.

As for Cam Smith, the problem is what role he plays. There's a good player there, but not as a ball handler in every move. He is much too slow for that. Assuming he can change his fitness to focus on shorter but more dynamic involvement, we could see a far superior version to the Cam Smith who has frankly looked a bit lost at times.

 Very worrying for the game over here. 

That?d do very nice indeed. Sounds like there?s certainly something there if Peter Smith reporting it 

If true it would surely be a precursor to a Croft return to the NRL in 2026, but in the meantime it would give us huge depth at halfback, and probably have us playing Hastings (when all fit) in the hooker role.

Not sure about Hastings, why are we obsessed with half backs that were good for a bit a few years ago for someone else. Sezar, Austin, Gale, Croft, Frawley (who was no good anywhere) probably others I?ve forgotten.

To be fair, that's how it works. Player does well at a club and other clubs become interested. It means they are generally a good player as the massively maligned Sezer is currently proving at Hull. Of course you can say that Hastings hasn't done well at Newcastle, but the chances of any SL club landing a NRL halback who is doing well are non existent. So you either take a huge gamble on an unproven NSW Wales/Queensland cup half or you go for some pedigree and experience, which Hastings undoubtedly has on both sides of the world. There's no guarantee of success but at least it's based on logic. Who would you go for?