Yes, the Zak back to fb brigade absolutely baffles me when you can see how much better the side is with french there. Praying he doesn’t develop the old home sickness to take up an nrl gig after he’s put himself back in the shop window over there!
Bullock and Clarke have really done well so far and it’s nice to see some actual impact off the bench! Just being a bit greedy wishing to add just one more forward ha!
Would settle for bibby in the centres if they spend on a mcmeeken type player for the right, as like other posters have said...spending money on certain players and keeping them, is more important for next year!
Current thoughts - Mago out or get running up them plantations, get fit or get rid. Maybe a back up halfback, someone with a bit of experience on a short term deal. Big tall strong running second rower, like a McMeekin or Sironen type back rower.
Yes, the Zak back to fb brigade absolutely baffles me when you can see how much better the side is with french there. Praying he doesn’t develop the old home sickness to take up an nrl gig after he’s put himself back in the shop window over there!
Bullock and Clarke have really done well so far and it’s nice to see some actual impact off the bench! Just being a bit greedy wishing to add just one more forward ha!
Would settle for bibby in the centres if they spend on a mcmeeken type player for the right, as like other posters have said...spending money on certain players and keeping them, is more important for next year!
Just because some people would prefer Hardaker to fullback, doesn’t mean they’re idiots.
In my opinion Hardaker is a very safe and defensive fullback, granted he has lost a yard of pace probably because of the weight he needs to shift but nonetheless he is a very good fullback.
Now French has been a revelation attack wise, most of the posters were vocal about Zak to 1, French to 6 before we saw how good French is. Now I believe French could play the same or at least very similar game to what he does now at 6.
We have a crop of youngsters with great potential. Who may be going is still at the rumour stage. It may pans out something like:
Out: SOL & TL to retire, Flower, Escaré & possibly Greenwood & Gildart out. Money to go on player retention, improved contracts for some of the younger players and a back rower depending on what happens with Greenwood (I know many don’t but I have hope for him yet).
We have a crop of youngsters with great potential. Who may be going is still at the rumour stage. It may pans out something like:
Out: SOL & TL to retire, Flower, Escaré & possibly Greenwood & Gildart out. Money to go on player retention, improved contracts for some of the younger players and a back rower depending on what happens with Greenwood (I know many don’t but I have hope for him yet).
One thing if you notice from the last 2 pages is that we are talking about potentially not signing anybody so that we can do player retention instead. For about the last 5 years at least we have been baying for the big cull. Whether you recognize it or not, over a period of the last couple of years its happened without really noticing it. Few players left who need to go but i think a lot of credit has to go to IL and Rads for their work in this department. Look how exciting this team could potentially be. IL and Rads hardly get any credit but they have provided what we have been asking for. Just need everyone behind Lam now and see just how far we can go/he can take us.
Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.
The_Enforcer wrote:
Most idiotic post ever goes to Grimmy..... The way to restart should be an arm wrestle between a designated player from each side.
Out Gildart - I'd like to keep him but think the NRL will come knocking so probably better to get a fee for him now rather than let him to for nowt after next season Burgess - likely too expensive for a 3rd choice winger. Better for player and club for him to move on Leuluai - retire Hastings - As with Gildart, would love to keep him but I'm sure he'll be off to the NRL Greenwood - clearly not working out. I know he's not OOC but I reckon someone would take him on a free Lockers - retire Escare - he's not a bad player but clearly not getting a look in
Retain Hankinson - doubt he's on megabucks, good squad player particularly if Gildart goes Flower - We're losing a lot of experience, leadership and continuity from the trophy winning sides all at once. I'd be trying him at loose when he comes back from injury to see if we can get more out of him that way Jake Shorrocks - If we can make the money work, could compete with Borough for the bench hooker role, and add cover for the halves. I know Smith has overtaken him but I don't think we should give up on him yet.
Sign - Marquee half to replace Hastings. Smith to step up to the 6 shirt - A quality prop Use the rest of the money upgrading French, Smith and Smithies contracts
Out Gildart - I'd like to keep him but think the NRL will come knocking so probably better to get a fee for him now rather than let him to for nowt after next season Burgess - likely too expensive for a 3rd choice winger. Better for player and club for him to move on Leuluai - retire Hastings - As with Gildart, would love to keep him but I'm sure he'll be off to the NRL Greenwood - clearly not working out. I know he's not OOC but I reckon someone would take him on a free Lockers - retire Escare - he's not a bad player but clearly not getting a look in
Retain Hankinson - doubt he's on megabucks, good squad player particularly if Gildart goes Flower - We're losing a lot of experience, leadership and continuity from the trophy winning sides all at once. I'd be trying him at loose when he comes back from injury to see if we can get more out of him that way Jake Shorrocks - If we can make the money work, could compete with Borough for the bench hooker role, and add cover for the halves. I know Smith has overtaken him but I don't think we should give up on him yet.
Sign - Marquee half to replace Hastings. Smith to step up to the 6 shirt - A quality prop Use the rest of the money upgrading French, Smith and Smithies contracts
Jake Shorrocks has been told that he won't be offered another contract at the end of this season.
I disagree. We have the players at the club right now to replace those who are moved on or move on themselves. That being said if a player such as McMeeken, Whitehead or Bateman became available we’d be stupid not to look at it. Other than that, roll with what we’ve got IMO and spend the money elsewhere.
McMeeken is available at the end of the season as he hasn't signed another contract with Castleford. We have been sniffing around him for some time.
McMeeken is available at the end of the season as he hasn't signed another contract with Castleford. We have been sniffing around him for some time.
I read somewhere he was open to moving on and had been considering Union. He’d be a good signing IMO. A natural right sided second row, 6ft 4ish, a great running game and he can play. It would allow us to use Isa a bit more centrally, which is what I’ve always felt we should be doing.
McMeeken would be a fantastic signing IMO. Perfect partner to Faz in the back row or even at 13. Isa then to move to prop.
Recruitment ultimately will depend on either Hastings and Gildart staying or leaving. We’d need to invest in the back line if either/both go. I’m not sure that with investment there, an uplift in wages for Smithies and co and signing a top forward such as McMeeken is financially feasible.
