“I think that fellas like Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh will come in to play there as potential [fullbacks]. Maybe a Kalyn Ponga if Newcastle go deep into the final series.
“Trbojevic might be back by then. He thinks that he’ll be back by the second or third week of the semi-finals if Manly were to get through. Unlikely, but that’s one consideration.”
Asked if Drinkwater had claims on the jersey, Gould said: “Yeah, well, it depends how far the Cowboys go, doesn’t it?
“I think that the Australian team at the end of the year would be looking for players that were deep into the finals and playing regularly rather than having a six- or eight-week break before they go into representative football.
“And I think James Tedesco, and the Roosters – I think James will be looking forward to a break this off-season.
“I’m not saying he’s not a great player, but he was under pressure to hold his spot for the NSW side this year. And I can just see that if things go the way…