The future of talented fullback Tyrell Sloan is at the top of a host of names who have question marks around their future with the Dragons. In a roster deep dive, see what positions need filling and which recruits the club should target.
JAMES Tedesco is officially a Rooster, leaving Wests Tigers in a massive move for the NRL player market.
A number of players are directly impacted by the superstar fullback’s move, while there will also be major implications for the two clubs.
We tackle the biggest issues of the switch in Five Burning Questions.
WHICH ROOSTERS DIRECTLY LOSE OUT IN THE TEDESCO DEAL?
Current fullback Michael Gordon is the obvious one. The 33-year-old, who is off-contract, is clearly on his way out the door despite playing well this season.
Gordon turns 34 in October and despite good form, may be just about done in the NRL. He has previously said he wouldn’t decide on his future until the end of the season.
The other two Roosters directly impacted are rising superstar Latrell Mitchell and Test winger Blake Ferguson. Tedesco’s four-year signing ends any aspirations either player may have held to play fullback for the Tricolours — permanently for the 27-year-old Ferguson, long-term for Mitchell, 19.
While Ferguson (off-contract) will likely be content to play out his career in the outside backs, Mitchell’s preferred position is No.1. He was also backed as the club’s long-term fullback by Roosters icon Anthony Minichiello — the man partly credited with luring Tedesco to the club.
“Latrell is the future fullback of the club, there is no doubt,” Minichiello said after 2016.
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