Unless the ruling is that, whilst we no longer hold his contract, we still hold his registration until the end of the terminated contract.

I wouldn't have thought so. As has been said before, there was no legal obligation on Kopczak to accept the deal with OK Bulls, but his registration is another matter, and if the stories coming out of Red Hall are correct then it would seem it was the RFL's view the Giants broke the rules and so will have to pay up if they sign him. No-one else broke the rules so, presumably anyone else would just be able to register him without trouble.

Larne Patrick would count as a home grown player as he came through our academy. He's quite decent but is more of a 2nd row methinks.

Wouldn't be surprised if its a fine for giants for breaking the rules with the RFL getting the money. Wasn't a precedent set when Wakefield were fined for trying to tap up Luke Robinson? Seem to remembers a fine/ pts deduction

As I said on the Shudds board several weeks ago, has anyone seen Mason give an impressive 80 minute performance? He has all the attributes to be a top prop forward, except his attitude is pants. A bit like Karl Pryce with a heart but with attitude. No-one disagreed with me then. Stay clear.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but Dowes has signed for Workington

Fielden went for £400k, let's start at that figure and see where we end up.

Fine Giants and give us next years Sky Monies !

unfortunately dont think we will have luxury of picking a player from giants. Without finding the giants guilty we wont get anything but i find interestingly that it has not wavered in press as to kopczak going anywhere else. I hope in one way at least that the rfl delay until kopczak is made wales captain and then a tribunal figuire will be higher if they cant agree - international captain surely must add a few thousand.

Dowes and fielden possibly two reasonable experienced targets now gone starting to think mason will be a reasonable option - unless leeds let richard moore go so soon. Cant see patrick being allowed to leave sure he signed an improved 4 year deal this year so wont be cheap wage wise even if they did let him go.

squad list original post updated for Sammut now contracted. Fielden and Dowes removed as suggestions.

Ok, so an update of where we stand regarding our possibly starting line up for next year

1. Kearney
2.
3. Lulia
4. Blyth
5. Kear
6. Sammut
7. Gale
8. Scruton
9. Diskin
10. Manuokafoa
11. Whitehead
12. Bateman
13. Langley

Subs:
14: L'Estrange
15. Olbison
16. Walker
17.

Reserve

18: Platt
19: Southernwood
20: Roberts
21: Naughton
22: Wood

Hopefully Ainscough, Addy and Donaldson get new deals and maybe an extra prop or 2 and we don't have a team too far from last year's team that would have gotten 7th spot without the points deduction.

Think a couple of props has to be priority. Assuming purtell is ok to continue and we can retain ainscough,addy and Donaldson too (probably in that order of priority depending on available funding) then we're looking pretty good in the circumstances.

Ha ha, that would be just our luck, wouldn't it!

A fine for Shudders would be like no punishment at all though as it would just be paid by the big money man (sorry, forgotten his name) who runs everything at the Galpharm, and would impact on the club not one iota. I can recall the Wakey incident, but can't remember how it was resolved, to be honest. I'm busy right now trying to locate a new memory on the net but I've forgotten where I stored my list of possible sites, maybe it was under 'utilities'...........

It was Jason Robinson that Wakey tried to tap up IIRC.

We had 3 experienced HBs last season and I would be happier with that this season. But if not Sammut and Gale is a good first choice if both stay fit.

Interesting that it looks like Seymour is on his way out of Hull. Doubt we'd have the space to sign him and not sure if he'd even want to sign but it would worry me less if we had another option considering both Sammut and Gale spent time injured last season.

We can't fit Seymour in, our non-fed list is full now. In addition to that, the guy is both crocked to a point where he failed a medical at Huddersfield (allegedly), and he's also completely rubbish. We dodged a massive bullet when Hull outbid us on this guy last year imo.

I think we already have some cover for 6/7 in Kearney and Southernwood, and I think someone mentioned Bateman as a possibly stand in for 6 if need be?

Our main focus has to be props now, we need at least 2 more before our recruitment is done.

Agree with that, though I suspect Langers will probably get more time in the front row, which might reduce the definite 'need' to just one, but yeah another two would be the ideal, especially if Franny goes along with the modern idea of no. 13 being just another 'prop'.

I see Addy's not signed up yet - whats stalling him ?

Same things that are probably stalling Ainscough and Donaldson?

I can't [iever[/i remember the club announcing all the squad at once. It's always been one or two at a time, generally spread over the time when they are selling season tickets, though I'm certainly not saying there is any connection with that........

Either way, I think this drip feeding of news is being very well managed (even if a little of the delivery is a bit off). It's creating a palpable sense of excitement.

I don't know what it is with the inter season months but once it starts to build it just goes up and up. The previous season is soooo last year, bring on 2013...

Addey and McAvoy have both been mentioned in the TnA as in discussions as well as the three referred to the other day about Koppygate delaying Ainsco Sammut Donaldson. We still need two SL props ie capable of 2000+ metres and 5-600 tackles a season. Then McAvoy and Langley are reserves, in which case Donaldsons tackle rate makes him good cover for Langley, not forgetting Addey has also covered half back role.

Can anybody clarify the status of the likes of Jobe Murphy Cain Southernwood Rossi etc? Aitchison Ball etc have gone according to other posters who were all 2013, who is actually left?

Agree props is priority, but I'd still like 3 experienced Halfbacks.

I'm very happy we've resigned sammut, but there was a reason Bj was often picked above him. Hopefully Cummins can get a level of consistency with him.

Kearney can do a job, as can Bateman but we need them in their proper positions next year imo. Still not sure on southernwood either.

Didn't know Seymour was crocked, but to call him rubbish is unfair. He's struggled at hull but from what I saw of him in nrl he is a decent hb.

Wasn't thinking of quota though, so agree its not a realistic signing. Still would be very happy to see another hb signed though.

(After a couple of powerhouse props

)

FC said at the last Fans Forum that he and Stuart Duffy were in discussions with a number of the players but it was the agents holding up the process (well it is what they are paid for I suppose).

Wouldn't surprise me if the players had no knowledge of the conversations until the contract is placed in front of them to sign.