Update this in the sticky, and probably some errors in it (please feel free to correct), but I think this looks the best balanced squad we've had in a while. Would maybe swap a back or two for another forward to replace Frank. Biggest priorities for me would be extension for Sneyd and Watts and scouring the market for replacements for Ellis and Mini who are very much the outliers now agewise and will be incredibly difficult to replace with similar quality. I like that the bulk of the squad are mid 20s so with the right culture we could follow the Leeds bluprint of a squad that could potentially see its nucleus together for a good number of years ahead.

Hull FC Squad 2017 - 34 - ages in brackets
1. Jamie Shaul 2018 (24)
2. Mahe Fonua 2018 (23)
3. Carlos Tuimavave 2018 (24)
4. Josh Griffin 2019 (26)
5. Fetuli Talanoa 2017 (29)
6. Albert Kelly 2017 (25)
7. Marc Sneyd 2017 (25) (option of extension)
8. Scott Taylor 2019 (25)
9. Danny Houghton 2020 (28)
10. Liam Watts 2018 (26)
11. Dean Hadley 2019 (24)
12. Mark Minichiello 2017 (34)
13. Gareth Ellis 2017 (35)
14. Jake Connor 2018 (22)
15. Chris Green 2019 (26)
16. Jordan Thompson 2017 (25)
17. Danny Washbrook 2017 (31)
18. The Hull FC Faithful
19. Steve Michaels 2017 (29)
20. Curtis Naughton 2018 (21)
21. Sika Manu 2018 (29)
22. Josh Bowden 2019 (24)
23. Nick Rawsthorne 2017 (20) (option of extension)
24. Jack Logan 2019 (21)
25. Jansin Turgut 2018 (20) (option of extension)
26. Callum Lancaster 2017 (20)
27. Jack Downs 2017 (21)
28. Brad Fash 2018 (21)
29. Masimbaashe Matongo 2018 (20)

Without numbers:
Jez Litten 2019 (19)
Ross Osborne 2018 (19)
Jack Wray 2019 (18)
Mike Adlard 2017 (19?)
Connor Bower 2017(20)
Zeus Silk 2017 (19?)


Outs 2016
Kirk Yeaman (Retired)
Leon Pryce (Bradford Bulls)
Jordan Abdull (Hull KR - Loan)
Iafeta Palea’aesina (Doncaster)
Frank Pritchard (Parramatta Eels)
Reece Dean (Toronto Wolfpack)
Richard Whiting (Toronto Wolfpack)
Harry Tyson Wilson

Ins 2017
Josh Griffin (Salford City Reds)
Albert Kelly (Hull KR)
Jake Connor (Huddersfield Giants)
Nick Rawsthorne (Halifax)


Homegrown (17)
Jamie Shaul
Jack Logan
Danny Houghton
Chris Green
Dean Hadley
Josh Bowden
Jansin Turgut
Jez Litten
Jack Downs
Brad Fash
Danny Washbrook
Callum Lancaster
Masimbaashe Matongo
Ross Osborne
Mike Adlard
Connor Bower
Zeus Silk


Fed Trained (10)
Josh Griffin
Marc Sneyd
Scott Taylor
Liam Watts
Gareth Ellis
Jake Connor
Jordan Thompson
Curtis Naughton
Jack Wray
Nick Rawsthorne

Non Fed (7)
Mahe Fonua
Fetuli Talanoa
Carlos Tuimavave
Mark Minichiello
Albert Kelly
Sika Manu
Steve Michaels[/quote]

Abdul is a weird one, nobody seems to know how long his extension is for.

I'm hopeful of Mini doing one more, so we can spread out the challenge of replacing both him and Ellis.

I think Ellis might want to go round again too; if they both did another year that would make them and Manu all 2018.

I'd let bin man and michaels go at the end of 2017 and try and replace them with a top quality winger. I wouldn't be surprised if mini and ellis signed up for another year each and I'd like to see watts and sneyd on longer deals

What's the score with Lancaster, looks like 4th/5th choice for wing. After he scored a hatful over two years ago I'd like to see him get another shot at making the left wing his own, would certainly inject some pace into the backline.
Certainly would like to see more Hull trained players in the first 17 for the future, at least getting more game time in the interim.

He certainly is pacy, but regular first choice selection I guess depends on whether you see him as a better SL wing option than Fonua, Talanoa, Michaels, Naughton or Connor I guess.

Like to see Turget be the replacement for Mini/Ellis as think he could be a very good wide running 2nd rower and give us a bit more of variety.

Based on his performance of two years ago I'd say he was a better attacking option than all but Fonua but as he's had no game time since we won't know how he will develop or what he is capable of.
Having a home grown player instead of those on a heck of a lot more and/or taking up a quota spot would be preferred if they are also able to grow into the role and become something.
Whilst Talanoa has certainly proved to be good he's no world beater, average defensively/suspect under high ball and lacks pace but is strong bringing the ball out and near to the line. I realise Radford was under a heck of a lot of pressure last season so stuck with senior players no matter what, fear of unknown as opposed to fatigue'd but known senior players, I just hope with the pressure off a little that going forward the youngsters will get more opportunities to develop further or we could lose them and/or stunt their progression.

Agree with you about how it would be nice to have a team full of Hull lads (although I don't think this would mean it would be cheaper), but I'm not sure I can recall Talanoa dropping a bomb very often. Think it's a bit unfair, IMO Fetuli has been one of the most consistent performers over the last few years.

Radford likes his wingers to be in the vintage Bradford Bulls mode to help the forwards out which isn't really Lancaster's strong suit. Talanoa's stats from last season are good IMO, FC's top try scorer and second top metre maker, in top 20 in SL for tries, clean breaks, dummy runs, tackle busts. Only 7th for errors at FC. Talanoa has a brainfart in him, but quite a high bar for Lancaster IMO.