Have given this some thought - this could be a really hard spot to fill.
Although I am making the assumptions that a) The Reds are happy with O’Connor at 10 and he plans to stay, or at least he hasn’t made it clear he intends to leave b) They are happy with Stewart at 12 and would prefer to keep him there
C) Not so much an assumption, but an opinion - I think Hegarty is a valuable squad member as injury cover, but ideally I don’t really think he is a starter anymore
So, the problem I have is that I want someone who is capable of playing 10 now if JOC (James O'Connor) is injured, so most/all 18-19 year olds are out.
They also need to be happy to sit behind O’Connor in the knowledge they probably won’t get a lot of time - so guys like Donaldson, Pasitoa & Kuenzle are probably all out, even if they weren’t contracted elsewhere. There are more current opportunities for guys like that at the Rebels & Force to compete for a starting spot
There is scope for a young guy to come in and maybe get some time and do well enough that it pushes O’Connor to 12 and Stewart back to the bench, but otherwise it doesn’t sound like a great option for a young guy who is looking for a starting gig to me. So we are potentially signing a player who is just a level down.
Which is fine - right up until they get 1, or even worse 2, injuries at 10 or 12, then they would seem to have a real issue.
The other thing this highlights to me is that our cover at 12 is just as poor. Unless I’m forgetting someone.
But maybe the play here is to sign the best up and coming 12 we can who can compete with Stewart for a spot. If JOC (James O'Connor) goes down, Stewart moves to 10. And go hard for the best 17-18 year old playmaker we can with no real intent on him playing next year, but bringing him through 2022-2023 & competing hard for a start in 2024.
This is all based on both O’Connor & the Reds seeing him as our 10 for at least the next 3 years. Otherwise basically disregard this post.
NB - I wonder if O’Connor at 10 has gone much better than was originally thought and, because of that, both Lucas and Gordon could saw their opportunity drying up. Could well have left them to feel they weren’t given the pathway they were ‘promised’.