BY DAN

Another week, another fullback for the Milk.

It’s been a strange few weeks in the speculation business. Just a few weeks from fan-account based maths from promo materials led to speculation that Xavier Savage had front running for the Raiders fullback position (something seemingly confirmed by Paul Crawley in the Christmas period), other material in the Daily Telegraph (including Crawley again) seems to be suggesting he’s currently out of the running. Instead Seb Kris is expected to start there, Ethan Strange at centre and Kaeo Weekes at six. For his part Savage is reported as being in contention on the wing, which is nice I guess.

It’s worth not getting too carried away with this noise. It’s the second week of January. If the information is true (an assumption as large as Big Mal’s thighs) so much can and will change between now and round one in 60 odd days. They’ve barely even out of conditioning work. Shit, five years ago Aidan Sezer wasn’t even aware that he was about to waste half the season at hooker. A few days ago I was told Josh Schuster was at Raiders HQ until it was actually Bigfoot. At this stage of the year these kinds of rumours, should they have a legitimate base (and given Crawley’s relationship with the club that’s not ridiculous) are as likely to be related to messages sent to players than any sort of concrete situation in the club.

It’s hard to assess even as a point in time whether this information is legitimate, only that the constancy of it suggests some truth. That which was speculated has also been revealed by reporters, even if similar media reported something different within weeks. It’s possible all things were true. It’s possible none of them were. Fun days for us.

The information itself has some interest. For example it’s interesting though not surprising that Weekes is currently the first choice six. Ethan Strange has a big future but he’s got years and potential ahead of him. Kaeo has more (though limited) experience, along with more physical development aided by extra years in an NRL squad. It means he’s probably that much more prepared to play such a difficult fulcrum position. That Strange is still pushing for first grade, let alone leading contender to play left centre is a testament to the talent and work ethic of the young man. It should warm your heart.

Kris to fullback is intriguing, in the kind of way looking back into the toilet bowl and wandering what you ate is (farkn beetroot!). For starters it drags the Seabass away from his best position. He proved that in 2022, and in his singular outing there in 2023. He’s quick enough to keep up with outside backs, strong and smart enough to jam in on backrowers. With ball in hand he’s surprisingly effective, both in run and as a secondary creator. Ricky Stuart seems intent on having him whittle away his prime like some highly-paid seat-filler. Oh well it’s a job I guess.

If it does make sense it’s as a transitional role, covering a spot while waiting for Chevy Stewart to be ready for first grade. That feels inevitable at some point this season, and a generous reading of this would be that Kris is being used there to allow that to take place with minimum fuss. I’m not sure how that would work; as in would Kris simply make way, or would he go back to centre? What then for Strange? It’s not as clean as it seems.

If this angle of reporting is true then it also suggests that the window of ‘Xavier Savage, first grade fullback’ is closing. I don’t hate that. Not because I have a view whether or not Savage should be a fullback; but rather that what he needs is a clear position to learn. He’s back-and-forthed between outside back positions in his time in-and-around first grade. For a guy that could obviously benefit from a clear role and some fresh air, letting him learn the game on the wing would at least be a bit of certainty. With Rapana retiring (probably?) and Cotric proving himself eminently droppable, that’s a pathway that could provide the Raiders with something they’ve desperately needed in recent times: a dude that can run good and wants to do other things well too. But of course that relies on Stuart giving him a shot, and well, here we are.

Part of what makes me think this is more message than certainty is that it’s an almost immediate rebuttal of Stuart’s post-season murmurings that this was a new era. We’re barely weeks into 2024 and this would suggest he’s already lost his patience with a rebuild. Stuart has always found comfort in high-floor low-ceiling, experienced footballers. Pushed into a corner he chooses trust over potential. But if he embraces uncertainty a bit more then good things can happen. Perhaps he wants the young guys to know the pathway to first grade isn’t bequeathed but earned, almost stolen.

But most of all this discussion is not of substantial worth, at least in the sense that there’s more speculation than reporting. There’s way too much Paul Crawley, and too much Super Coach aficionados pushing hope and vibes. Hopefully someone puts the equivocation away and the protective phrases like ‘frontrunner’ disappear, and perhaps we get something less approximate and more assertive. Then the above assessment carries more weight, or can be adjusted. In the meantime we wait.

It’s a long off-season people. Stay safe out there.

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