I'd like us to not go there.

There is one small point there though, how many salary cap places have we got? Is big Phil taking one and isnt Talau exempt due to the amount of time he has been with first Saints and then us??
I can see Henry, Cashmere, Patten and Houldsworth being the overseas players we have on the books, unless any of those are Kolpac types or Patten is a plastic paddy or taff then don't really see how we can possibly fit all these players from the NRL that we being linked with left right and centre.

Though do have to agree that Mason would be a coup, sure Patten will hopefully be worth more on the pitch but Mason is a recognisable figure who would be easy to market and in tandem with Cashmere would for me make a pretty formidable front row, you'd also think that Cashmere being the more silent type Mason would be a more vocal and willing mentor for the young talented forwards we have on the books.

http://www.sporthull.co.uk/hullkr/news/ ... ticle.html Mason not interested

http://www.sporthull.co.uk/hullkr/news/ ... ticle.html Mason not interested

I presume you mean quota places mate? If so, five, Cashmere, Henry, Patten & Holdsworth so we have one more available.

And for the record.
2011
At least 8 home grown players.
No more than 5 quota players.
No more than 5 overseas trained players inc quota players.
Rest of squad to be from players trained within same federation


No

Yup he's exempt.

Really? Sam Burgess, James Graham and 33 year old (but still the best we've got IMO) Adrian Morley who else?

2) Bums on seats / season ticket sales / publicity factor



See point 2

The list I provided was purely NRL, that's not what I'm asking, we know there may be a few in the NRL however I'd hasten to say even with that list Willie Mason would stand out to the man in the street in Salford or anywhere else.

I would much prefer Aston Simms, Ben Cross, Luke Bailey, Carl Webb, Jason Ryles, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and maybe Chris Armit of those out of contract (up to last weekend) in the NRL, than Mason but if he was willing to come to these islands and the rest aren't then why not.

Although this is irrelevant now as he doesn't want to sign for us.

Meh, this is getting messy. (I'm sure I'm developing dyslexia) I'll save my response for tomorrow.

There's obviously a split camp regarding Mason.
Some are suggesting that he's past it (although I wouldn't say so).
Some think he's a whole heap of trouble and not worth big money.
Some are of the opinion that he'd be a certain crowd puller.
In any event, it would appear that we are not favourites to land him.
Others who are more clued up on NRL props suggest that there are better out there.
The question is:
Are they available and would they sign for Salford.
If we intend to make a mark in our last season at The Willows, do we want to strengthen the team or pull the crowds in.
Ideally it'd be both, but I'd settle for either.

Today the Manchester Evening News suggests Anthony Quinn from Melbourne and Carl Webb from North Queensland are possible targets for us.

I'd say that if we signed Webb we would be taking a bigger risk than signing Mason.