Otago in 2024

This season is basically done, and it could hardly have gone any worse. Has been a gloomy year for the footy teams I support to say the least!

Looking ahead to next year, it will be interesting to see what happens around the coaching situation, and how the playing squad shapes up... if Donnelly were to get the sack, or if he were to walk, Mackintosh and Ben Smith are the two names who will pop up.

Neither have any head coaching credentials, though that I think is the same for all of our coaches since and including Tony Brown. Whoppa could certainly harness a good environment, so perhaps he takes it on with Bender just given the attack portfolio. Not sure who drives the attack at the moment, but find it hard to believe Bender would have the team playing such boring, defensive rugby. I believe it may be Flutey... he should be on borrowed time too, has hardly done anything good with the Landers.

What they need to do is work out a better, more attractive game plan that will get the best out of the side. Most of the gaps will be filled by academy players...

The tight five, barring Dickson should be back, along with Bower, which will mean five really good props. The next lock will be one of those Highlanders academy boys I'd imagine, or maybe Dunshea might transfer down.

Lio-Willie likely to be the only major loose forward departure, but we have hardly struggled there, and that is offset by the return of Haig. Been impressed with Stodart in the 140 minutes he has played.

As for the backs, TUJ & Timu may be heading overseas, whilst Naholo will be chopped. Need to find a winger ideally, but reckon things are looking fairly stable.