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While club rosters continue to change by the day in one of the craziest off-season player markets in recent memory, each NRL club still has players heading into 2015 wondering whether their coach will deem them surplus to requirements.
Here is a club-by-club guide to the players under the most pressure in 2015.
Brisbane: David Stagg
Stagg has played over 200 first-grade games, is a premiership winner and a State of Origin player, but that counts for nothing.
The Broncos have the likes of Adam Blair, Corey Oates and Todd Lowrie on the books, and with a star-studded starting back row, Stagg could struggle to see much game time in 2015.
Canberra: Josh McCrone
Is he a half or is he a hooker? Even with the departure of Terry Campese, Josh McCrone still faces a mighty fight to nail a spot in the 17.
In the halves he faces stiff competition from recruit Blake Austin, Mitchell Cornish and Sam Williams, while in the hooking role he contends with English international Josh Hodgson, Glen Buttriss and Kurt Baptiste.
Canterbury: Sam Kasiano
Des Hasler will be pressured to ensure wunderkind Moses Mbye is given a spot in the 17 as new hooking recruit, the promising Michael Lichaa, finds his way in the NRL. This places pressure on an extensive bench chock-full of of front row talent and given the Bulldogs were able to storm their way into this year’s grand final without the towering 133 kilogram prop, Kasiano’s spot may well come under threat.
Des played Kasiano in the NSW Cup before and won’t be afraid to do so again. With 2015 an off-contract year, a move to a rival club such as the Dragons may well be on the cards.
Cronulla: Michael Gordon
The Sharks have recruited heavily in the backs, with Gerard Beale, Mitch Brown and Jack Bird vying for spots alongside Ricky Leutele, Sosaia Feki and Valentine Holmes.
Veteran fullback Michael Gordon has been the Sharks’ best player in the past two years but now in his 30s and in an off-contract year may struggle to hold down a spot as the Sharks look to the future.
Gold Coast: Matt Srama
Had a horror 2014 with injuries and now faces a situation where the club is questioning his two-year deal after a move to the Roosters collapsed. Faces stiff competition not only from Beau Falloon and Paul Carter but new recruit, Queensland under-20s hooker Kierran Moseley, who impressed in his first-grade debut for Penrith against Manly late in 2014.
Manly: Jorge Taufua
Had an indifferent season which culminating in the winger being dropped for Manly’s season-ending loss to the Bulldogs. The powerhouse winger is under intense pressure from boom rookie Clinton Gutherson.
Melbourne: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
The one-time Australian Test and NSW State of Origin prop finds himself at the last chance saloon with renowned career-saving coach Craig Bellamy after spending all of 2014 either out injured or playing in the NSW Cup for Raiders’ feeder side Mounties.
Can he recapture former glories or will he lose out to the likes of Kenny Bromwich, Dayne Weston plus up-and-coming props Felise Kaufusi and Nelson Asofa-Solomona?
Newcastle: Akuila Uate
Hard to believe the Knights’ record all time try-scorer and one-time Australia and NSW winger Uate could be facing more time in the NSW Cup in 2015, but the emergence of the brilliant Mata’utia brothers Sione and Chanel – with the former selected for Australian Test honours in the recent Four Nations series – suggests that he and James McManus could be vying for one wing spot in 2015.
New Zealand: Chad Townsend
The former Shark was hailed as the perfect foil to the brilliant Shaun Johnston, but struggled to hold his spot in 2014. With the likes of Tuimoala Lolohea and new recruit Api Pewhairangi joining the battle for that five-eighth spot, Townsend will need to be at his best.
North Queensland: Lachlan Coote
The prize recruit from Penrith has barely seen any NRL action in the past two years and the fullback role originally ear-marked for him has been filled by former half Michael Morgan.
The Cowboys may be forced into a decision between Robert Lui and Coote as to who will partner Johnathan Thurston in 2015.
Parramatta: Will Hopoate
Will be the man to replace Jarryd Hayne at fullback. While he might not have Hayne’s match-winning talents, his form at fullback while at Manly suggests he will do better than most expect.
But will success-starved Parra fans be patient with a player who can play the role but hasn’t done so in over three years?
Penrith: Sika Manu
With the rise of Bryce Cartwright and Isaah Yeo, and the continued promise of Tyrone Peachey, Penrith probably have more back-row talent than any other NRL side. Manu managed to play more games than any other Panther back-rower in 2014, but this was due to others’ injuries rather than Manu’s form.
A move to the front row could be on the cards, but it has been speculated that Manly – having sacked Zane Tetevano – are in the market for Manu.
Souths: Glenn Stewart
Missed virtually all of 2014 with a serious ankle injury and will be under the spotlight to at least partly offset the loss of Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o. Souths will be hoping for an injury-free Stewart, otherwise their depth in the back row will be sorely tested.
St George-Illawarra: Dan Hunt
Former State of Origin prop candidate Hunt finds himself on the outer at the Dragons as they look to bolster their existing front-row stocks with the likes of Russell Packer (NRL permission permitting).
A pre-season play for Sam Kasiano may yet eventuate, placing further pressure on Hunt.
Sydney: Shaun Kenny-Dowell
Blake Ferguson’s NRL return appears imminent, which means the centre known as ‘SKD’ may well be on the outer at Bondi Junction. Has been linked with a pre-season move with Cronulla, Wests Tigers and Canberra. Watch this space.
Wests Tigers: Chris Lawrence
The former golden boy centre has endured his fair share of injuries in recent times and has lost his potency out wide to the point where the back row beckons, especially if the Tigers manage to recruit Kenny-Dowell. Mind you, a spot in the back row isn’t guaranteed despite losing Adam Blair to the Broncos.
There you have it, some players who may need to take action to put their careers back on track, while for some it’s just a matter of being out on the field and the rest will take of care of itself.
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