In the circumstances it's not too bad, although you can never be sure exactly which players are available and for what price. Leuluai and Finch are difficult to replace but Smith and Green look like a balanced combination and they have shown some good stuff for their old clubs. There will hopefully be some opportunities for Powell, Hampshire and Williams in there too and if things really aren't working out then Tomkins is still an option in the halves.
Carmont was probably the best all round centre in Super League but it seems intelligent centres are largely becoming a thing of the past anyway. Ryan Atkins is one of the best centres in the league but a smart centre he is not and he seems to do better when he doesn't have to pass the ball.
If Thornley or Gelling are quick enough to make a few breaks and sort their decision making out a little they shouldn't be that bad in Super League. It's not like there is an abundance of quality centres.
Taylor replacing Lima is obviously a signing made for the future. I think it's a worry that there is a lack of experience in the front row but it seems Lenegan and Wane are hoping that last years recruits (Lauaki, Flower, Dudson) can show some more improvement, that Mossop can regain his early season form and then maintain it and that Prescott can get through more than a dozen games next season.
The team on the whole isn't stronger, but that was inevitable anyway. Most teams are going to be a little weaker with the ins and outs, while those that are keeping hold of ageing stars because there's little quality available might find that those players don't quite keep up a high level of performance.
I think next year will be difficult but there's no real way of knowing how well certain players will adapt or the form that others might find/lose next season.
The squad depth looks like this -
Fullback - S Tomkins, Murphy, [Tierney]
Winger - Charnley, Richards, (Thornley), [Burgess]
Centre - Goulding, Thornley, Gelling, (Hughes)
Halfback - Green, Smith, Powell, [Williams], [Hampshire]
Prop - Mossop, Prescott, Lauaki, Taylor, Flower, Dudson, Crosby, Spencer, (Burke)
Hooker - McIlorum, L Tomkins, Carberry
Back Row - Hansen, Hock, L Farrell, Hughes, Lloyd, [C Farrell]
Loose - O'Loughlin, Tuson, Burke
