Sometimes the selections call that’s right for a team to reach their potential is also the hardest to make.
Jack Wighton comes to Souths to play centre, but the club should seriously consider going all in on a Wighton-Cody Walker halves pairing for a tilt at the title. That would mean dumping their incumbent halfback.
Manly, meanwhile, have a huge decision to make surrounding their champion fullback Tom Trbojevic. His horror run of injuries mean Manly may have to consider the unthinkable and shift him out of the No.1 jersey.
Then there’s the Roosters. Could they move their skipper to accommodate a rising star?
These are the huge selection gambles every team faces in 2024.
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Baker keen to fill Flegler’s spot | 00:48
Read on for every NRL club’s 2024 selection gamble.
BRONCOS
Selection gamble: Patrick Carrigan to prop
Analysis: On the surface it would be mad to take one of the best locks in the game and an Origin and international star and switch him to front row. The Broncos, however, have a void to fill left by Tom Flegler’s defection to the Dolphins. Flegler was crucial to the Broncos’ charge to the 2023 Grand Final and scored a crucial try on half-time to turn the match. Carrigan’s ball playing would also be a point of difference at prop and he would provide welcome support to Payne Haas in the middle. The pair also play big minutes which would give the Broncos an edge with their interchanges and he could still switch to lock when the bench forwards come on. Kobe Hetherington would fill the No.13 role at the start of the game and Carrigan could still shift there late in each half.
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RAIDERS
Selection gamble: Xavier Savage to fullback
Analysis: After a breakout year in 2022 that saw him score seven tries in 19 games, Xavier Savage fell out of favour with Ricky Stuart to manage just one try in one game in 2023. Sebastian Kris slotted in at fullback and was one of the Raiders’ best last season, but Jarrod Croker’s retirement means he will be needed to partner Matt Timoko in the centres next season. But more importantly Jack Wighton’s defection to the Rabbitohs leaves the Raiders light on for attacking spark in their spine. Kaeo Weekes is expected to play five-eighth, but he will need time to grow into the position and build combinations. Savage’s speed and X-factor at the back is a must to take the pressure off the rest of the spine and create try-scoring opportunities out of nothing. The Raiders will be a strong defensive unit, but they need to find enough points to win games and Savage holds the key and must start at fullback even though he is a defensive liability at times.
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BULLDOGS
Selection gamble: Matt Burton to centre
Analysis: Matt Burton has the potential to be an excellent five-eighth in the future, but his best football in the NRL has come as a centre. Burton was the Dally M centre of the year in 2021 and played for NSW and Australia in the position. The Bulldogs have struggled as a team for a long time, which hasn’t helped Burton make a success of the No.6 role. He was even used at halfback last season before Toby Sexton’s arrival. But with Drew Hutchison, Kurt Mann, Jaeman Salmon and Connor Tracey arriving at the club, the Bulldogs how have options in the halves, which could allow Burotn to get back to his best footy in the centres. Burton, who signed a four-year extension worth around $750,000 season, wants to play five-eighth and the Bulldogs do have other options at centre in Bronson Xerri and Stephen Crichton. But a centre pairing of Crichton and Burton would improve the Bulldogs’ horror defence on the edges and they would have the potential to dominate in attack. It might not be Burton’s preference, but it may be the best option for the team and for his own form and he can still slot in at first receiver when needed.
DOLPHINS
Selection gamble: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to centre
Analysis: The biggest issue that plagued the Dolphins in their inaugural season was edge defence, which is why Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was switched to the centres late last season and Kodi Nikorima played at fullback. The club went to market and bought two centre options in Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo to strengthen that position. Both Farnworth and Averillo can also play fullback, which gives Wayne Bennett plenty of options. Tabuai-Fidow is brilliant in attack at fullback, but a centre pairing of the Origin star and English international Farnworth would be formidable in both attack and more importantly defence. That would make Averillo the fullback of the team, with Tabuai-Fidow and Farnworth playing roving roles in attack form the centre position, which would make the Dolphins a scary beast.
SHARKS
Selection gamble: Siosifa Talakai to bench
Analysis: The Sharks need to find a new element in attack and defence to match the top sides and moving Sisosifa talakai to the bench could be just the ticket. Even when Talakai was dominating at centre, coach Craig Fitzgibbon lamented that he didn’t want to piegonhole him on the edge and keep the opposition guessing as to when and how the Sharks used arguably their most formidable attacking weapon. Talakai’s form dipped last year as team’s worked out how to contain him by making him burn energy in defence, which blunted his effectiveness in attack. By switching him to the bench the Sharks can bring Talakai on against tiring defences for short attacking bursts in a variety of positions from prop to back row and centre. Talakai is at his best rampaging in a roving role rather than getting wasted on an edge and chewing up all his energy in defence. Using Talakai as a super sub might just get the best out of Talakai and the Sharks.
TITANS
Selection gamble: AJ Brimson to centre
Analysis: Des Hasler refuses to move Kieran Foran to halfback and bring in either AJ Brimson or Jayden Campbell to five-eighth, so switching the Origin star to centre might be the best way to get all the stars on the field at once. Campbell is wasted on the bench and his best position is fullback, while Brimson has struggled for consistent game time at fullback with injuries hampering him in recent seasons. Centre would provide less stress on the body and make him less susceptible to soft tissue injuries with the amount of running fullbacks have to do week to week. The Titans have also lacked strike centres in recent years and Brimson would add speed, ball skills and X-factor to the position in the same way Valentine Holmes has at the Cowboys. Brimson could also have a roving role at centre that allows him to pop up all over the field and support his spine in their attacking raids.
SEA EAGLES
Selection gamble: Tom Trbojevic to centre
Analysis: At peak fitness Tom Trbojevic is arguably the best fullback in the NRL, but unfortunately his body has restricted him to an average of 11 games a season over the last five years. The stress that playing fullback puts on Trbojevic’s body is just not worth the risk anymore and Manly need to find the best way to keep their highest paid player on the field for the majority of the season and moving to centre might be the best way to achieve that aim. Trbojevic has played most of his representative career at centre and would likely be one of the best in the NRL at the position if he played it every week. Manly have a ready made replacement in Reuben Garrick to fill in at fullback as he has done on countless occasions when Trbojevic is injured and while he is not as brilliant in the No.1, he is more than capable of making the position his own and being effective. That would allow Trbojevic to have a roving role at centre and still pop up all over the field when needed. But importantly playing centre would help eliminate his injuries and allow him to stay on the field more often. Critics will argue he won’t have the same impact at centre, but he will have far more impact than sitting in the stands.
STORM
Selection gamble: Nelson Asofa-Solomona to second row
Analysis: The biggest issue the Storm have is their forward pack after a number of key departures in recent seasons and they need to work out how they can get the best out of their most dangerous enforcer in Nelson Asofa-Solomona. The hulking front-rower has already been used by Craig Bellamy at second row in the past and moving him there permanently may be in the best interests of the team. That would allow Tui Kamikmica to start up front with Christian Welch and Asofa-Solomona could target smaller players on the edges with his barnstorming running game and offloading ability. The Storm have a formidable backline, but they need to get the best out of their forwards to match it with teams like the Broncos and the Panthers and moving Asofa-Solomona to the edge could be just what they are looking for.
KNIGHTS
Selection gamble: Jack Cogger to halfback
Analysis: It would be a brutal call to drop incumbent playmakers Tyson Gamble or Jackson Hastings after they helped pilot the Knights to 11 straight wins and a semi-final last season. However, Jack Cogger returns to the club a premiership winner and the halfback having learnt from the best in the business in Nathan Cleary, is too good to be languishing on the bench or in reserve grade. Cogger needs to start in the No.7 jersey, which would see Hastings likely shift to the No.6 role and Gamble dropped to reserve grade. It is a brutal call, but Cogger would help alleviate the pressure on skipper and fullback Kalyn Ponga having to do everything in attack. Cogger’s kicking game and calm head would create more opportunities for his teammates and allow Ponga to chime in when needed, while Hastings can stick to his strengths in his running game at No.6. The Knights can’t rely on Ponga to inspire them again next season and need to find new ways to stay ahead of the pack if they want to push for the title and wasting Cogger on the bench is not the answer.
COWBOYS
Selection gamble: Murray Taulagi to centre
Analysis: The Cowboys have to fill the void left by Peta Hiku’s departure and Murray Taulagi is likely to shift from wing to centre next season. Losing someone of Taulagi’s freakish finishing ability on the wing will be a blow, but the Cowboys have other options in former Origin player Kyle Feldt and recruit Viliami Vailea to come onto the wing. Taulagi is an incumbent Queensland and Australian representative star and could form a devastating partnership with fellow rep star Valentine Holmes in the centres. There will be growing pains as Taulagi adjusts to his new role, but given his skill set and speed as well as his physicality in defence you would be a brave man backing against him making the switch a success.
EELS
Selection gamble: Clint Gutherson to centre
Analysis: The Eels flagged Clint Gutherson’s potential positional switch early last season with reports they were looking to bring in a X-factor player at fullback with their captain moving to the centres. Gutherson is an excellent fullback and the fittest player at the club, but he turns 30 next year and with so many miles on his legs, the position only gets harder to play as you get older. Also the Eels have had issues with their defence on the edges and Gutherson’s physicality and speed would help solve that issue if he was to partner Will Penisini in the centres. That would allow the Eels to try Sean Russell or Haze Dunster at fullback to see if it gives the team some different options in attack and more importantly a stronger defensive line.
PANTHERS
Selection gamble: Taylan May to centre
Analysis: Stephen Crichton’s defection to the Bulldogs has opened up a massive hole in the centres that the Panthers need to fill. Star winger Taylan May missed the bulk of the 2023 season through injury, but Sunia Turuva stepped up in a breakout year on the flank. With Turuva now cemented in the starting team after winning a premiership, it gives May the chance to return one spot inward in the centres in 2024. May has experience in the centres in the juniors but has limited game time at NRL level in the position. The Panthers used Tyrone Peachey and even second-rower Luke Garner in the centres at times last year and they could be stopgap options again in 2024. However, May’s speed and physicality could make him an excellent partner for Izack Tags and the pair could form a devastating combination as the Panthers hunt four straight titles.
RABBITOHS
Selection gamble: Jack Wighton to five-eighth
Analysis: Jack Wighton was brought to the club on a four-year deal to play in the centres before switching to five-eighth when Cody Walker hangs up the boots, but if Souths want a shot at a title in 2024 they need both in the halves right now. Lachlan Ilias is a talented player with a bright future, but he is not ready right now to lead a team to a premiership. Ilias still needs a lot of work on his kicking game and has to create more try-scoring opportunities with his passing and running games. Kicking is not Walker or Wighton’s strongest asset either, but the pair are representative players and seasoned playmakers who can control one side of the field each and share the kicking load. That will enable Isaiah Tass to stay in the centres as he has done nothing wrong to deserve getting dropped. Ilias can work on the deficiencies in his game and build confidence in reserve grade, while Wighton and Walker go after a title before the latter calls time on his career. Ilias and Wighton could form a great halves pairing down the line, but in 2024 a Wighton-Walker combination has a better chance at going all the way.
DRAGONS
Selection gamble: Zac Lomax to fullback
Analysis: Incumbent Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan is a speed machine and a gifted talent with a bright future, but his smaller frame has made it difficult for him to find consistency in first grade, particularly in defence and under the high ball. Sloan has also struggled with injuries and the Dragons may have to switch centre Zac Lomax to the fullback role to be more effective on both sides of the ball. Sloan has been tried at fullback before, but new coach Shane Flanagan wants to give him a full pre-season in the position to help grow his game and confidence in the No.1. Lomax is a bigger body and the fullback position is so demanding and so crucial in modern rugby league that Sloan may need to bide his time until he puts some more muscle and weight on. Lomax is also one of the Dragons’ highest paid players and now at 24 he needs to take on more responsibility for the team’s performance both on and off the field and playing fullback just might get the best out of him on a more consistent basis.
ROOSTERS
Selection gamble: Joey Manu to fullback
Analysis: It would be a brave move for the Roosters to move their skipper and a legend of the club in James Tedesco from the fullback position, but there is no doubt Joey Manu would dominate in the role if given an extended run at club level. Tedesco will turn 31 next year and fullback becomes harder to play the older you get and the more miles that are on your legs. The champion fullback is coming off a disappointing season where he copped plenty of criticism for his performances, particularly at representative level. Tedesco has said in the past he would be open to moving to the centres if it helped the club hold onto the likes of Manu and Joseph Suaalii, who has since signed with rugby union from 2025. The selfless nature of Tedesco will always see him put the team first and if playing Manu at fullback helps the team win then he would be open to a positional switch late in his career. Manu has dominated at fullback for New Zealand and as the 27-year-old enters a contract year, giving him the No.1 jersey might convince him to stay with the Tri-colours long-term.
WARRIORS
Selection gamble: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to centre
Analysis: The prodigal son returns to the Warriors after his stint in rugby union with the Blues and has set his sights on making the switch from a fullback into a centre in 2024. Tuivasa-Sheck won a premiership with the Roosters on the wing before playing the bulk of his career in the No.1 for the Warriors, but Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has the position sewn up after a superb 2023 for club and country. Tuivasa-Sheck has plenty of experience in rugby union at centre and with his slick footwork and ball skills few would bet against him making a success of the position. However, there will be an increase in the physical demands in defence and Tuivasa-Sheck is coming into a winning team, so there may be growing pains as he gets a handle on his new role and builds combinations with teammates. However, the Warriors have been missing a strike centre and Tuivasa-Sheck could be the missing piece in their backline for an assault on a maiden premiership in 2024.
TIGERS
Selection gamble: Junior Tupou to centre
Analysis: The Tigers’ biggest issue is their leaky defence on their edges and they have struggled for strike centres in recent times. Starford To’a has been strong in attack, but he and Brent Naden both struggled defensively at times last season. One of the bright spots for the Tigers was the emergence of Junior Tupou who scored six tries in 22 games on the wing in a breakout season. The club has been linked to signing Justin Olam, who would add more physicality to their edges, but the answer to the position may already be at the club in Tupou. The 21-year-old is coming off-contract in 2024 and is reportedly being chased by the Raiders and Roosters, so switching him to centre could help entice the young gun to stay at the Tigers long-term. Tupou has the perfect mix of speed and physicality to make a success of the centre position and the Tigers desperately need to improve their defence if they want to climb up the ladder in 2024.
