In late October, 2017, the owner of the New England Patriots made one of the biggest calls in his career.
He decided to hold on to his then 40-year-old Quarterback, Tom Brady, and trade away his long-term future quarterback in waiting, Jimmy Garoppolo. The coach, Bill Belichick, was very vocal in wanting Brady traded and wanting to keep ‘Jimmy G’, for future’s sake, as he had an easy ten years in him, opposed to Brady’s 1-3 year span.
Funny enough, the Patriots of the NRL, the Melbourne Storm, are facing a similar conundrum for 2021.
If you look at the current Dally M table, there is a young hooker by the name of Harry Grant on top, followed closely by another hooker named Cameron Smith.
Tiger hooker Grant is on a player loan from the Melbourne Storm, subsequently the team of Cameron Smith. Smith, a legend in his own right (Brady), is weighing up whether to play on one more season, or retire at season’s end.
Grant (Garropolo), is desperate for game time, in which he will not get if Smith stays on board. In his first season with his loaned club, he has absolutely lit up the NRL. He plays like a seasoned veteran and has made a strong case, for himself being a top five hooker already, in only a handful of games.
But wait, there’s more. The best hooker in New Zealand and current international sensation, Brandon Smith, also plays for the Melbourne Storm. Some see him as the predecessor to Smith’s jersey, thus leaving Grant in the abyss.
Three world-class hookers and only one slot. Here is how I would handle the situation if Smith stays, or if he leaves.
Smith staying
Grant is contracted back to the Storm, regardless if Smith stays on. If I am right, coach Craig Bellamy is no fool. He will do what is best for his club’s success in the long run. I believe he will only allow Cam play on if he plays at halfback, a less strenuous position on the body, and a position he can comfortably play – thus leaving the 9 position open.
I would personally give it to Grant. He suits the style of play and is fast enough to adapt, Brandon seems to be that one step too slow (as shown in the Roosters game).
Where does that leave Brandon Smith? He is an all-out footballer. He needs to be in the team. I would play Brandon at 13, where I think he is best suited, because of his skillset and toughness.
Brandon can play the hybrid form of lock, that the Roosters have developed with Radley, where he becomes a hit man on defence, but a third half in attack. His ball playing skills from dummy half, allow him to have that skillset available.
I would happily move Dale Finucane to the front row, as he plays like a front row now, pairing him with Jesse Bromwich. With Christian Welch’s pending departure and NAS current impact off the bench, it leaves for a Jesse/Dale starting front row duo, with Tui Kamikamibuca and NAS off the bench together. Sorted.
With Cam staying, I would have it as below:
8. Bromwich
9. Grant
10. Finucane
13. B. Smith
7. C. Smith
Smith leaving
This becomes fairly similar, just with an open halfback position. Given his push in form and confidence, I believe Jahrome Hughes deserves to hold his spot at 7, and have Grant playing 9 as mentioned before and Brandon at 13.
There is no loss in playing a different position, I feel. Brandon is that skilled, he could really push for being a great lock, as Radley was this season before his untimely injury. Grant plays like a younger Cam, and can manage the game as well as anyone else.
Add in the grit of Brandon and the growing combination of Munster/Hughes, I believe there are definitely bright days ahead if Cam does choose to retire. Funny enough, the above mentioned front row pair of Finucane or Bromwich – I see either one of them as the next skipper, if Cam decides to call it a day – leaning towards Dale.
Both options I believe the Storm prevail, if Brandon does choose not to play lock and want a hooking role, it may get a little touchy – but this is the best option if Cam decides to stay or go.
While teams struggle to find a strong dummy half, the Storm have a plethora of them, but more important than that, each are skilled enough to play other positions.
Beware of the Storm!
csps
Roar Rookie
This title cannot get better :thumbup:
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
whoosh!
no one in particular
Roar Guru
If Grant is smart he'll be waiting on what Bellamy does, not Smith. Tigers have a fair bit of money free after this season (Packer, Reynolds, McQueen, Lawrence all on very decent money) so they may be able to tempt him also. He's showing he could be a top class hooker, with 10 years ahead of him, so he will not be short of suitors
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed Albo. My first wish is that CS plays in '21 then see if things change. The tigers look so different under Madge, hopefully their luck with player recruitment and retainment improves under him. Storm folding, that was clever.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Remember also that Brady won the Super Bowl that year(17). As if to rub it in took them to the bowl the next year (18) and the year after winning it in 2019. If Melbourne pull it off this year, I think Smith will retire. If he still wants to go around again it would be hard to say no to him though.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
If Cam retires a big chunk of that cash would need to go to Harry Grant I’d suspect to keep him on an upgraded longer term contract.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
The way the lads on Fox presented it was that it’s a get out clause. Like if Cam Smith goes on in 2021 I get to test the market. That’s he way I understood it. If the Storm were smart they’d try and do a trade now- Nofo? mimorovski? I think Grant is smarter than that though. He’d say no I’m going back to be the Storm hooker, end of story. If he finishes this year and Smith plays on he gets to test the market and I think offers north of 700k would come flying in.
Davico
Roar Pro
You get why Smith would have to move from hooker to HB yeah?
Soda
Roar Rookie
They'll work well together as cooks, one head chef, a sous chef, chef de partie etc and get a few Michelin stars in 2021. Having said that I want harry to stay a magpie-tiger as unlikely as that is.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
there is only one chef, and a few sous chefs
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Smith stays. He has clause for 2021 that if he is still there he can be released (on request)
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
I actually think Hughes would make an AWESOME right centre aswell. He seems to never shy from the hard stuff, and is a talent attacking player. If they were to use him as a centre, Brenko Lee could be an option for wing.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Well if Cam retires, it leaves us a bit of money. I know they tend to recruit lower valued players, as they never really have money for recruitment. A few lower valued players, who would suit their style would be possibly Tristan Sailor, Saab (just re upped with the Dragons however), Xavier Coates would be another go option. I agree though, the wingers need beefing up for next year.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
I thought the same too, but reports are saying hes such a team player, he will take a starting role elsewhere in the side, if it means staying in Melbourne.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
If Smith goes to half, we have to find a spot for Jahrome Hughes. A bit of lateral thinking needed here... I know, let's move him to hooker! :thumbup:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Hughes will be in the team somewhere. He is running their right side now. He could play any spot in the backline comfortably , and under these proposed solutions , he would be a good centre if need be. He is only contracted to 2021, and he should be high on poachers lists from other Clubs. He would make a great fullback in pink colours.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Sorry Birdy, little chance methinks . The Storm would have to fold as a Club next year ! If not, as he is contracted to the Storm until 2022, you will still be waiting a few years to even get a shot at him ! Best you send the scouts out to Holy Cross Ryde or Ashfield High and find another one !
Albo
Roar Rookie
Only issue could be "too many cooks" trying run the show, and possible lack of capable "indians" to make up the numbers ?
Walter Black
Guest
Too many halves, not enough wingers. Melbourne's priority for next year will be solving the wingers problem first. I don't know what they have in the pipeline or what the recruitment department has been able to find elsewhere but given restrictions on travel, I would bet they haven't found a lot. I am still hoping that either Josh or Vuni or both will do a back flip and stay in the southern capital, but that is a hope. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out. Every year Melbourne lose some big names and you think there is a whole before they uncover another superstar. One thing is for certain, Cam Smith for a year < Harry Grant for a career. I trust that Bellamy will do the right thing for Melbourne, he usually does.
Davico
Roar Pro
I really hope that the Storm somehow screws it up and lets the Tigers sign Grant long term! Wishful thinking on my part and we all know this is not going to happen. As a second option maybe the Tigers could go after a disgruntled B Smith/Hughes?! Oh to have the problem the Storm are faced with!