So the 2024 shopping list thread has now ran its course.

Let's get one started for the 2025 shopping list.

First of all we have players off contract at the end of this season.

Mint and Carlos are sure to be gone (the last of the cup kings)

We then have Mcintosh, Scott, Cator, Jack Brown, Nu Brown, Balmforth, Barron, Laidlow and Hoy (1 year option) off contract. Those are the question marks of should they stay or go?

Litten and Martin have shown me enough at a young age to be given a contract so far. I'd like to get those two tied down.

As for coming in. Well for me it's leadership needed. Shaun Johnson is off contract at the end of the year and with Hargreaves coming to the Hull area, Kenny Dowell already here and Nu Brown as another possibility to be here, then Shaun Johnson would feel at home in that company of people he knows. He's exactly what we need. A top half back and a leader.

We also need a good three quater. Looking at the out of contract players. Gagai is another veteran but would bring us some experience and leadership.

But Shaun Johnson is my number 1 target, even if it's only for a season. He'll be so valuable to bringing the potential out in Truman and will be someone the young half backs coming through can use as a sponge. He'll also be great for our first team.

It must be bad if we are doing a shopping list for 2025 in March!

It is bad. Where have you been?

As much as it would be amazing, signing Shaun Johnson is a pipe dream imo, even from a financial perspective it would be difficult to afford him.

From the list above I'd look to retain:
Scott- 2 yrs
J. Brown- 2 yrs
Balmforth- 2 yrs
Laidlaw- 1yr
Mcintosh- 2yrs

Can't see Nu Brown staying past this year and reckon Hoy will be off too. We need to be looking at a centre (squad player) a proper 7, minimum 1 hooker, 1 second row and a loose man.

The reason that I'm dreaming of us signing Shaun Johnson for next year is because we have either Morgan Smith or a hooker in Nu Brown as our half back for this year.

Most of us know that this season is a write-off when that's your half back options.

He's 34. We have the wages of our last two captains, Mint and Carlos , to offer him. Who's gonna give Johnson a better deal than that at his age?

A decent quality NRL half back not a hooker who occasionally plays half back because of injuries.

Release Hoy, walker is the first choice now and Trueman is our first choice 6 and no point keeping him, waste of a quota spot and I imagine a high salary.

Release McIntosh - not seen enough of him in his 2/3 years to say he's good enough

Potentially release Cator, too injury prone and doesn't add much beyond tackling - struggles to make ground

Probably release Barron if Lewis Martin continues to progress.

I've got a feeling we might also be looking to move okunbor on at the end of the season too if he continues to fail to impress.

Exactly. That's why we should be searching for a half back now not leaving it until November after all the best options have gone.

Clifford as HB. Danny Levi as hooker?

Certainly wont be a Marks and Spencer shopping list