In no specific order
- A Hooker
It's where each play starts and we can't win without someone who can pass accurately off the ground. Ben Hunt would save us. Simpkin or Liddle will be available. Maybe an SOS to Jake Granville? From the Super League, Kruise Leeming is a smart, fast hooker who can kick currently at Leeds Rhinos. Danny Levi could definitely do a job. Andy Ackers from Salford could make a really good 14. Paul McShane from Castleford is 33 but is crafty and has a nice left boot. Sam Powell from Wigan is also another good shout. He's a very good defender and scores a lot of tries for a hooker. Any of these players would be an upgrade
-Assistant Coaches
Reynolds can't be in charge of game plans. We need someone who can do the job well. Michael Hagan is the top choice in my opinion. Josh Hannay is probably the top available prospect that isn't signed. Listening to Matthew Elliot break down plays for NRL.com shows he knows what he's talking about. Michael MaGuire and Geoff Toovey would also be interesting assistans to Walters.
Marc Brentnall from the Storm is off contract. He gets a lot of credit for the Storms attack and ability to "make changes according to the rules". Stephen Kearney is also off contract again.
We also need someone who can coach a modern defense. It's a different version of rugby league that these old boys haven't perfected. We need the wrestle. I'd hope DD is on the phone to whoever coaches the Storm defense.
-The Players/Depth
We need to get team selections right every week. But we also need to replace who we are losing. Tyson Gamble, Brenko Lee, Rhys Kennedy, Jake Turpin, Ryan James, David Mead, Tyrone Roberts, Albert Kelly, Zac Hosking, Te Maire Martin and possibly Payne Haas will all be departing at the end of the year and so far we are only bringing in Reece Walsh. We can not fall into the trap of thinking our juniors will simply make the move up.
Do not let Tyson Gamble go to the Knights without getting either Jake Clifford or Adam Clune as a replacement.
Brenko Lee could be replaced by Deloise Hoeter as our permanent backup centre.
Rhys Kennedy's spot will be taken by Xavier Willison
Ryan James replacement? We need an old head. Andrew Fifita, Marty Taupau or Jordan McLean?
David Mead for Ethan Quai-Ward I guess?
Hosking for Eisenhuth?
I'd keep Kelly if he can keep going but replace Roberts with Sam Scarlett or send Mitchell Pearce or Aidan Sezar a Q Cup contract.
And finally, Payne Haas needs to go. But do not let him go without getting someone worthwhile in return. If possible, only allow him to negotiate with clubs who want to come to the table. He's a very good player. Sharks for Brailey, Storm for Grant or Munster, Cowboys for Robson, etc.
-The Competition
We need to send the NRL a huuuuge please explain about how this club gets treated every week by the refs. Just ask the question once, because there's no way the rulings on certain parts of the game have been reffed fairly this year. Teams constantly offside, laying all over us, second or third movements in tackles at the start of a game and we follow suit because that's how we think the game is going to be reffed and all of a sudden the rules change. Playing the Broncos is the easiest game in the league for defensive lines as they can do whatever they want.
-Q Cup
Relationships need to be mended. The Q Cup needs to be a transition competition for QLD teams only. You would never see Penriths NSW cup team sign with the Broncos and it should be the same way for Ipswich. It shouldn't even be an option.
I am sure there's more that needs to be done and I am sure it's all been said before, but we need to be smarter overall. DD and Ikin are two intelligent rugby league brains who know better than us, but the club needs to get on the same page. Coach needs to be smarter, the players need to be smarter, the team needs to manipulate rules like the other clubs do and that includes manipulating the competition by making complaints at the right time. If they're going to sit on their hands and let the NRL **** us, we can't expect anything else. They don't even need a Broncos logo on their shirt to say it. We have an entire media company in our back pocket. Walters can literally say "we didn't show up" after the game, but on Sunday "CHEATS" should be covering the entire back page. Pull the right strings.
And finally, start another Super League. This entire sport is rotten and won't improve with who is in charge.