In Lolohea's case, he's far too inconsistent to be a regular NRL player and is pretty lazy when it comes to training and fitness by all accounts. As for Austin, I would have thought he could comfortably get an NRL deal (maybe not on the money he wants, didn't he knock back $800k last year?) so it's a surprise signing for SL in my opinion

800k per year? Doubt it, that would be a bit high.

He’s backed himself and then played some poor rl, hasn’t helped him his hookers been injured, and clubs move on.

Clubs seem to be doing it a bit different with regards to recruitment, for instance there noway that Austin isn’t in the top 16 5/8ths in nrl but clubs like Gold Coast would rather give there youth a shot. And then of course you’ve got the amazingly poorly run Manly and Canterbury who have to spend the next 2 to 3 years sorting out there salary cap.

I thought so too, but according to Paul Kent he did. With that year being a halves market, he wanted to try get 1m apparently

True, but then you’ll get other clubs who aren’t as well run doing likewise to keep up with you.

That's right - he was on top form in 2016, Raiders offered $800k around same time Ben Hunt signed with St George for $1m, so Austin backed himself as being worth equal/more than Hunt, which his form at the time would have suggested... Problem is, his form then dropped and Raiders reduced their offer significantly. Since then, his form has got worse, in particular his defence. So now, there aren't many clubs who's be in for him, and the ones that probably could do with him are either in a salary cap mess (dogs, eagles) or already have contracted players that they also can't shift (Eels).

Marquee money in SL is probably the best financial option left for Austin. But he will go terrific over here, where his defensive frailties won't be so ruthlessly exposed.

Lolohea is very inconsistent, and simply being a dangerous runner doesn't cut it for a 6 in the NRL - again, I suspect he'll go really well over here, but will be rocks and diamonds.

ex super league club Leigh Centurions sign Brendan Elliot from Gold Coast Titans for the remainder of the season.

Leeds out of contract list: Carl Ablett, Luke Briscoe, Brett Delaney, Ryan Hall, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Jimmy Keinhorst, Joel Moon, Anthony Mullally, Josh Walters.

Leeds

Have signed Tui Lolohea from West's. From 2019.

Personally I don’t think these short term signings, at this stage of the year, should be allowed. Fair enough if someone comes in on a 1 or 2 year contract, but Brendan Elliot and Todd Carney are only here to the end of the year.

When clubs points are reset for the middle 8’s, it makes round 1-23 pointless.

Brendan Elliot is OK but just OK. He is no Blake Austin nor a Tuimoala Lolohea. But then again, Leigh Centurions is not a Warrington Wolves nor a Leeds Rhinos quality team.