People might not like hearing this, but those critical injuries have exposed the younger players in the club, and meant they could not make the big jump from the under-20s into an experienced lineup that could guide them properly in first grade. With that in mind, they need an experienced outside back to bolster the squad for next season, a player who might not always start, but one who would do a terrific job when gaps appear.
I've got faith that the new young brigade, led by Elijah Taylor, will take up the reins when it comes to communicating on the field, particularly in co-ordinating the defence.
They will have to, because the club is losing a couple of key players in that area when Micheal Luck and Maloney depart.
Luck returns against the North Queensland Cowboys this week but we can't expect the old heroics from him. He has lost size and power because injuries have prevented him from doing the necessary gym work. He'll provide less minutes, although what he does is always quality.
It will be interesting to watch Carlos Tuimavave at No 6. This is his chance to start stamping a claim for that position, especially if Thomas Leuluai - who I really like as a seasoned professional - does not gel when he arrives from England for 2013.
Tuimavave is also a centre prospect - he has a lot of time with the ball and seems very calm. He has been at the club for four years, which is a long time for a junior player.
But as I said, he and the other young players are arriving in difficult circumstances, in a team out of form and down on experience.
