Will some see it as "good"news that another of the originals are staying put ?

I would hazard a guess that Ben has signed up again but we will have to wait and see.

Original SL squad? Only Vella and Cockayne are ooc, iirc. Oh - and Fisher. Mixed feelings about all, tbh.

Vella makes sense if Clinton is off and it is on reduced terms.

Cockayne, judged purely as a player, is valuable to the squad covering 1-5.

Fisher makes sense if there is nobody better available. A really top class hooker would be great, finding one mightn't be easy and Fisher is decent.

Ben Cockayne = 1st choice F/B for 2012??

His performances have really dropped off over the last two seasons.

I'm a fan but I really think we need to let him go, however, as Denzil says, only if we can find someone better. That's a pretty big if with the salary cap issues and exchange rates between us an Australia as well as the quota issues.

If Briscoe goes, which seems likely I'd rather give Sheriff some game time this season and make him first choice next. Didn't look out of place or his depth.

Nethertons contract has been torn up

And replace with a 5 year one

You really know how to twist the knife dont ya?

No, he is a capable 'cover' player in several positions, but I don't think he is suitable in any one of them long term, especially fullback.

I am one that is pleased he has signed, he is a valuable squad player who never lets us down.

Mick Vella has a big say in what goes on at the club and I think if we are talking about Morgan leaving then Mick must make way for a younger player or a new marquee signing.

Ben Fisher does indeed change the speed of our play and we look better in attack with him on the field. It is his defence that has always been the issue in the SL and while he doesn't not make the tackle the effectiveness of those he does make often put us on the back foot in that set. He was top tackler in 2007 because teams ran at him, Justin counteracted this by protecting him more. As Ben is a high end earner at Rovers it would seem the right time to let him go.

Ben Cockayne is one of only a handful of players in the game that makes up for any talent he lacks by effort he puts in. He may be no Billy Slater or even Paul Wellens but I still think he is better than a lot of full backs at other SL clubs.

As said if we can get a top class hooker for next season we need to release Fisher, we need to start trimming down the older players such as Galea and Vella while looking to promote from within along with finding leadership from elsewhere. I think Clinton will still be with us next year but he will be another one off back to play in one of the new franchises in the NRL come 2013.

In 18mths this squad will look nothing like it does now but for this and next season I wouldn't pin your hopes on success too much!