Anyone know where our recruitment is up to for 2013? We have a lot of contracts expiring & very little is being said by the club.

I think we're in a really nice spot at the moment. Whilst we do have a few players getting on in age, we also have plenty of youth coming through too. My concern would be the middle age group. We have some over 30's, quite a few under 25 but very few in the prime of 25-30.



If we review the squad I wouldn't say there is a particular position we NEED to address:



Fullback: Hodgson (offer one more year, reduced terms) Ratchford, Riley as cover.

Wings: J Mona, Riley, Williams, Evans

Centre: Bridge, Atkins, Joel, Blythe, Evans, Ratch

Halfs: Briers (one more year), Myler, Ratch and O'Brien

Prop: Wood, Carvel, Hill, Harrison, Cooper and potentially Morley.

Hooker: Mona, Higham (maybe his best year for us this season) and Drew

Back row: Westwood, Waterhouse, Blythe, Cooper, Currie, Grix, Harrison. Let Solomona go I think.



This is a nice position to be in I think. It means we can buy luxury players in their pomp and not have to sign where due to not having cover.



So on that, I would like us to sign a first class prop to replace Morley if he calls it a day, and a classy ball playing loose to replace Sol.



That would give our youn guys another year where they would get increased game time again

I'm sure most of our business is done amd they'll tell us when they're ready.

I am still peddling the idea that everything is on hold until they find out if there are any Bradford free agents.



I had also heard we are interested in a Wakefield forward, but only if we don't sign a certain Bradford forward.





I am telling you all this in confidence Ian, so don't go spreading it across the whole board - you know what they are like !

Briers has got more than one season at the top left in him. He's still outstanding.

Who is this new hooker 'Drew'. Have we signed someone ?

I dont even know what I was thinking. Ultimate face palm.



Or maybe subconsiously I think we should sign Brad Drew???? You should all be glad I'm not Head of Recruitment ha-ha!

Australian International halfback signed for 2014.

He'll turn out to actually be a hooker, whoever this mysterious Australian international halfback is.

Mixed view on this really.



It would be good to have a top level half with experience in the ranks.



On the other hand, it would limit the appearances of either Myler or O'Brien...what most see as our long term half pairing

Well I know we like to sign mature Aus stars, but at 37 I really think that would be pushing credibility a bit far. Good player though.

Hodgson, Morley, Higham all 1 more year.

Briers, Cooper, Williams, O'Brien, Laithwaite 2+ years.



Dave has the rest of the season to earn himself a new deal.



That's what I would do.

Why would Hodgson accept reduced terms? He's done everything asked of him this season and you'd ask him to take a pay cut?

Got to agree. If we don't bend over backwards for him, someone else will and, having seen what he did to us in the hudds playoff game, I don't want that. Plus, we can always offer him a coaching job for afters.

After watching Ratchford today I'm starting to wonder do we need to retain Hodgson?



I'm a massive fan of Hodgson, but we realistically can't retain everyone can we? I have no doubts that Ratchford can fill his boots and the money saved on Hodgson can be used to retain / improve the contracts of our excellent youngsters.



I wouldn't want to be in Smiths shoes with all the tricky decision making he is facing come the end of the season (not to mention his cup final team!!)

I said this today. We would cope without Hodgson. BUT, one of our big strengths is the depth we have in our squad. There's no harm in keeping Hodge on and letting Ratch learn a bit more from one of the best and bed into the position as much as possible IMO.

Signs seem like Moz may go with Briers taking captaincy and Hill taking his his shirt

I wouldn't be surprised to see Moz go. Not sure what type of money he is on but if he stops surely it would be at a lower amount than what he is currently on? He is a legend but his powers are on the wane

IMO we need to shed one of the senior players, either Moz, Hodgson, Or Sol

Briers is bound to get another year, and rightly so.

So looking at who is out of contract from the current first team squad we have



Hodgson - Might get another year.. Wouldn't be the end of the world if he didn't though, as ratchford is proving to be an excellent player. His departure would free up a quota spot as well which could be advantageous.

Briers - I would think he would have to be nailed on for another season.

Morley - This could well be his last season. I'm not sure if the great man has another season of top flight rugby league in him. if he does leave i would expect to see a quality prop brought in, possibly from the NRL.

Big dave - be surprised to see him get another year.

Higham - Everyone's favourite scapegoat has been playing well this season. Would you give him another year? If the rumours of Clark from cas are true i would let him leave. Clark / Dwyer for the run of the mill games. Then Clark / Monaghan for the others.

Williams - I would be amazed if he didn't get another contract. Makes sense to keep your decent young players.

O'brien - nailed on

Mitchell - he has probably had his chances at the wire..... Although he will go on to make a steady SL player, it probably wont be with us.

laithwaite - You would think another contact is nailed on... However if we go and sign Bateman he may look at the queue of players infront of him in the pecking order and decide on a move to another club. Teams like Widnes and saints will be waiting in the wings with a contract for him should he decide thats where his future lies.



Thats how i see it anyway.

Vaguely agree with you. Hodge I think will get another year, I don't see any harm in letting Ratch learn under him for another season and he's still a top quality player. Morley has one more year in him IMO. Higham deserves another year after the form he's shown this year but if we have signed Clark you'd have to say he's for the off. Wouldn't say Williams is as nailed on as you seem to think he is, farmed out on loan to Cas and Evans seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order. I do think he's worth another year though.

Trent Warehouse leaving at end of season ! Bought out his own contract so my spies tell me ! So who will be his Replacement ?

Are these reliable spies, or your brothers gardeners auntie type of spy ?

Waterhouse...probably had a good offer to be a scapegoat at another club.

Tut, tut Nine. That's very cynical.



Anyway, I think Ratchford could easily cover that position.

Can't reveal my sources or the reason why but I'm sure if it's right the reason will come out in the end