Ese'ese seems a good signing and along with Pele would overall be upgrades on Satae & Evans. We are still in need of serious improvement in the 2nd row as minus Griffin and Savelio its looks very weak with Lane as the only senior 2nd row. Wonder if Ashworth is signed whether he will be coming to play in the 2nd row primarily?

Think its highly likely one of the remaining quota spots will go on a 2nd row, with the other being a S/H to replace Clifford. Unless TS feels Litten is ready for SL week in week out and moves Hoy to play alongside Trueman? A lot of permutations available I guess.

Hopefully Staveley will get a few runs in the 1st team before this season as would hope he would be move up the order for next season to fight for a place in the 17 or at least the 21 man squad on a regular basis along with Severs.

Can really only see if a 9 comes in now being a UK player as even if Houghton goes round for one more year we are still in need of a 9 as not sure Balmforth is ready for SL week in week out just yet.

Not too bad so far considering we've been told by the fountains of knowledge (who must have inside information about Hull FC's finances etc) that we're skint.

With a better pack around him (which we seem to be putting togehter) Houghton could still do a good job next year as he's been great so far. The question is, does he even want to? He might have his heart already set on retirement.
A full pre season for Balmforth would hopefully have him ready.
As much as I'd rather us sign a good hooker, we might be able to manage without getting one. A new pack that can dominate the oppostions will give us a whole new look at feel out of dummy half anyway.

Ackers is the one, but doubt we would have the money for a fee that Salford would want.

What about McShane if Cas went down, worth a season?

Agree about Ackers, think every Hull fan would like the club to pull off his signing but are realistic in knowing it'll probably be unlikely but there's always hope .

McShane isn't a bad shout for a season but he does seem to have struggled with injuries latterly.

Good news on EseEse but why are the club leaking all the news to Hull Live first?

Absolutely no idea if there was anything in the Jez Litten rumours or if there is no chance of him returning.

But looking at his body language in the final he didn’t seem to be enjoying it to me. Played less minutes than he normally does? and looked like his mind was elsewhere.

Could be nothing but just the way it looked to me

Good question I would perhaps suspect that the Club hasn't leaked it at all as I was told that often in these circumstances the news comes from the agents network or even more likely from the Clubs that have missed out and have been told where a player they were after has ended up.The press are always tapped into both sources.

Cade Cust might not be a bad shout for Hull - convinced there's a good player in there if he can get over his injury issues. Remember he was favourite for Man of Steel when he signed from the NRL and was very good in 2022 prior to his arm injury. Can cover hooker and halfback.

I think the key for the more sizeable, impact style forwards from overseas is to keep their weight in check in the offseason or at least ensure its mostly good weight! There's been a few examples of players who have looked destructive in the NRL and then been half a player after a poor off season (Kasiano, Mago, Paleaaesina, even Satae).

[quote="RockNRolla"]Just had a message from the sponsor guy i know. He had a chat with Clark after the game and he's told him we have signed another prop from the NRL as well as Pele.
Played over 150 first grade games and we beat a few NRL clubs for his signature.

Must have been Herman who JC was talking about.

Apparently 2 more British players have signed. Hopefully a second rower and hooker as led to believe we are targeting a NRL half.

Is that in hindsight? I did wonder why he was taken off as I thought he was effective when on