Fingers crossed for a proper running 6 with some speed and let abdull control the game.

Hope I’m wrong, but just a feeling if we had signed Lam we would have known by now, probably be announced he’s staying with Leigh pre kick off v us.

If so would imagine we had a plan b put in place.

The 2 stand out halves out of contract are Hawkins and Clifford, whether any of those are realistic, especially Clifford who's expecting another child so can't see him coming back. But with the NRL merry go round someone left field may become available at seasons end.

Like to see Clifford back but as you say it's very unlikely. A better player than Lam in my opinion but you'll lose a quota place.

Someone may become available but we don't want to get into the perennial half back search and leave it to late.

That's the risk, we could end up with a Clifford or a Brown.

NRL clubs are often willing to release players especially to SL clubs back end of the year when they’re trying to juggle final signings and need some salary cap space. It’s how we signed Clifford originally he still had a year to go at Newcastle, seem to remember it being around November time.

Out of the two off contract Clifford would be a no brainer from our side but even Hawkins should have the pedigree to go well in SL. As said though I’m sure a few others will become available when the salary cap squeeze hits. I’m not sure the Sullivan deal is fully dead, depends on how willing he is to dig his heels in where he’s clearly not wanted.

Jayden Sullivan would go very well over here, defensively not great, but great with the ball. Clifford won't come back to the UK in my opinion. 2nd child on the way and is good enough to be a back up half for half the NRL sides

Has Clifford got a deal for next year, it might not be his first choice to come back, but he could probably get a better deal in SL than he could if he can't get an NRL deal.

Lams agent Sam Ayoub seems a colourful character.

Only signed 1 year at the Cowboys, so would come down to money, lifestyle, family and whether he wants to be a bit part in the NRL or 1st choice here.

I think we can get rid of the training being a piece of p complaint by reminding him Tony has gone and Cartwright apparently is a disciplinarian.