We are in a lot better position that 12 months ago, but the squad needs strengthening to challenge for playoffs. opening game v Bately is key, have to be winning or at least close in that game to put foundation for season

I do expect us to finish above 11th, but 6th is a big stretch without some strength added to the squad

Smithers I think we are starting from a higher base than last year although genuinely difficult to see how we could be worse off. As you say it has the feel of a mid table set up.We appear, and who actually knows, to have divest ourselves of some of the weaker players plus the three stronger players you have identified plus perhaps Situ who I thought was a bit hit and miss, poor at the start of the season better in the latter half. The problem is, on the sly, a lot of teams look like they have strengthened. The 2 coming up would be targets to finish below us but Keighley have spent quite a lot and I think, in a competitive L1 didn’t lose a single game so I suspect they will be aiming at mid-table. If we are looking to say up we need to hope Swinton are nothing special plus at least one other. That one may be Newcastle who had an even worse season than us especially as a full time team. Whitehaven might be another but nothing is a given. We may well find ourselves in a dog fight again although 2 or three Aussies of Pacific Island heritage, if they bed in quickly, may offer us a get out of jail card ... that appears to be what we are pinning our hopes on.

Anyone know if they will release the home kit before xmas?

Also if its going to be Black, or be wire kit again

Wire kit was supposed to be a one off. We can only hope the club are true to their word.

Cakeman has an Errea top in his video so let's hope for the best. Yellow & Blue is fine for AFC but not us.

So their latest tweet says a signing announcement at 6.45am tomorrow but all seems very silly to me. Think I can survive until a reasonable hour.

Fijian incoming.

So Henry Raiwalui is a signing in a position of need. Do we have any idea of the standard he's played at during is career? I see he was an Interchange for Fiji when they pushed New Zealand close in the quarter finals.

Despite being 33 and I assume at the tail end of his career, he doesn't seem to have any first grade experience. Under-20s at St. George Illawarra Dragons then a bunch of teams playing in NSW level comps. Can't find info on where he has played in recent years.

Think it's fair to say he doesn't have any Buzz. Clearly not one for the future but hope he can bring something to the party. Bit of a worry that we have signed 2, 30 somethings with little or no quality experience from Aussie.