IF rumours are to be believed it's reckoned he's considering an offer from us

I hope Hull have sorted out their youth set-up. It's a disgrace how few Hull-born players have come through to the top over the life of Super League and it's about time Hull stopped using Cas as their nursery and developed talent within their own, large catchment.

Our Under 19's beat yours 2 weeks on the trot (Home and Away) at the end of may/start of June - 42-10 and 42-22, with key players missing so its doing fine.

15 of our first team squad have come through our academy with 2 making debuts this year, and around 4 or 5 making debuts at the end of last year.

Good. Like I said, it's about time. I don't think any Hull fan can seriously say they've taken proper advantage of their local talent pool in SL up to now.

I've heard this rumour. Not sure whether it would be a good signing?

Westerman has always struck me a very talented player, but seems somewhat lacking in character - he never seems to want to know when the going gets tough, his defence in the middle particularly, seems soft.

However, as with any (potential) signing the first question that should be asked is: Is the player an improvement on what we have? He probably is, so to me he'd be a good signing, and would give us more pace in the forwards, and an extra pair of hands.

I have always liked Westerman and think he has a lot of talent. However, on your last point, I agree on measuring to improvement on what we have, but would say now we are/should be looking at replacements, and the truth is that although an improvement there may be better still that we can do.

I agree. The difficulty is we don't know if GH has other irons in the fire?

I'm sure it's not but do feel free to carry pretending it never happened if it makes you feel better.

Trent Hodkinson the NSW SOO halfback who Rhinos have been linked with in Ausi press is reported to be in negotiations with Titans so probably can delete that possible signing. The media are saying Chris Sandrow is probably coming to SL, would we be interested?

Westerman's got a ton of ability, needs a coach and a club that can get it out of him.

Bit like Leon Pryce, he has a tendency to coast through games.

Disagree AG imo Westerman reached his peak at Cas and hasn't consistently kicked on since and for me he'd be a meh signing.
As for Pryce he's been sh## for years vastly over-rated superbly highlighted by his GF hide n seek trophies when ST's were our OT beatches.

That's his game though. You take your eye off him then he suckers you. He's not an organiser or a ball player - or even much of a support player, but he has been over a very long time one of the most dangerous runners with the ball I've ever seen - particularly 10 yards from the try line. He's got size, great feet and fantastic balance - at his best totally unstoppable near the line. In fact Sam Tomkins plays pretty much the same game, just without the size .
He's also quite handy with a glass I believe.

Not sure about Westerman, just never looks fit to me.

Old nosey Parker predicts Mitchell Garbutt from Brisbane, and Minchella moving to Bradford bulls

Garbutt's being shown the door in Brisbane, he's been playing reserve grade most of the season as younger players at the Broncos have overtaken him. They're cutting their losses half way through a two-year deal.

So yeah, perfect fit for Hetherington's recruitment style

From his entry on the Broncos website he's got good size, he's relatively young (26) won't cost a fortune, may be eager to prove people wrong. Could actually be an excellent replacement for Achurch. Kylie wasn't exactly a top-notch signing & that worked out ok. Why not give him a go? Top names in the pack frequently disappoint. Spud Carroll anyone? Mark not Tonie.

That would actually be a fair point had we not signed the Huddersfield lad. But as it stands how many unproven props do we want to run with next year bearing in mind the experience lost?

I don't think he'll be on a big contract and certainly is not a marquee signing. This allowance together with savings from not spending the cap mean we should be able to fund a big signing, maybe Widdopp?

Nosey Parker and Mick Gledhill have pretty similar strike rates. I'd rather believe a random man in the street.

Garbutt added to the squad.

Love a Leeds player Cas don't they?

Kinda ironic considering the vitriol you get from most Cas fans....

Hardakers new contract announced tomorrow.

www.therhinos.co.uk/news/26821.php#.VZYxhvlVhBc Great news.Having a young star like Zak sign a long term deal is as good as any Marquee signing imo.

www.therhinos.co.uk/news/26821.php#.VZYxhvlVhBc Great news.Having a young star like Zak sign a long term deal is as good as any Marquee signing imo.

Stevie ward out for about six weeks.

Where's that from? Shame for the lad if true, been stand out for mine this year.