It had been reported that Abdul's loan had been converted to a full transfer some time back.

Bradford look a similar team to what they were last year, they have some strong forwards but they seem still to be plagued by disciplinary issues and seem to self-destruct from that point of view in several games each season. They'll do ok and could finish second by default but I can't see them being a threat to Wakefield.

Toulouse have finally found a second half back, if he works out they will probably finish second. They are several levels below their 2021 Championship team though and eminently beatable especially in England.

My own team (Fev) are rebuilding and suffered a major blow this week with the loss of Reynolds, everything was going through him in the first few games of the season and as of yet we have no replacement lined up though am sure we will get one. I'd expect us to be bang average at best over the first half of the season but maybe dark horses over the second half as I think we will improve steadily and probably make one or two additions along the way.

Struggling to see anyone else making an impact. Have said it before but barring Wakefield this looks by far the weakest championship for many years, certainly since the Toronto days and possibly for at least 10 years.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... rd-9144574 Makes a change for an incomer from HKR. Don't know anything about him mind.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... rd-9144574 Makes a change for an incomer from HKR. Don't know anything about him mind.

Hmmm...

On Twitter seems a few Hull Kr fans aren't too pleased with them not resigning him, looks to be young and played a fair few games for them last year! good planning

Mainly a second rower. Not a bad player to be fair, but now finds himself behind the likes of Batch & Tanginoa.

Could be a useful addition, given the age of our British back rowers. We may need to trim down our overseas quota, if were back in SL next year

ATM we've only got 7 which is the SL limit quota, with Walmsley, Lino, Atoni, Uele, Bain, Bothroyd, and Vagana. Obviously players will come and go for next year but we're not doing a Leigh with 14 overseas in the Championship or whatever they had.

Sorry, my bad. I was counting the French ones in there too.

So was I. Do Franco and Cozza not count on the quota?

I think these two are having a bit of an errorfest these last couple of games so maybe Storton will get his chance shortly. Can he kick goals?

Yes I agree with that especially after watching last night.

When Batch was kicking for us, he was really good. I wonder if he left his kicking boots in Wakey.

As juniors both James and Joe were amazing kickers and both were the regular kickers for their respective teams, as they have both developed in to forwards it seems the kicking has been neglected (both played halves as juniors at Crigg)
The biggest error from James last night was trying yo outstretch for the try when all he had to do was fall over and it was a score

No mate, just the ones from down under, NZ etc. France is a part of SL so don't count on quotas.

That’s good then cheers mate.

Bit of a Rumours/Looking forward to 2025 post. If reports are correct this could be our side in SL:

Jowitt (2026) Best player in the Championship IMO
Walmsley (2025) Got some bulking up to do but should be SL quality
Thornley (2025)
Pratt (2026)
Johnstone (TBA) According to non-bull news sources it's all agreed
Lino (2026)
?
Atoni (2025) Our Tom Amone - never seen a player improve so much after one pre-season
Hood (off contract) Just realised he's only 32. We have two other decent hookers, but he's still the best of the three IMO
McMeeken (TBA) Same as Johnstone apparently
Griffin (off contract) Still an SL player
Vagana (2025) Unless he moves to a bigger club
Rodwell (2025) Obviously can't know whether he'd get the 13 shirt over Pitts, but I've got high hopes

Smith (?) Not sure on his contract length but destined for SL
Uele (option for 2025) Been pleasantly surprised by his technical ability. Thought he was going to be a steamroller but he's much better than that.
Bowden (off contract) Massively improved too, but don't know if it's just because of the opposition we've had so far
Pitts (off contract)

Lawford (2026) No doubt he'll turn out to be a class player and will hopefully get our 7 shirt eventually, but a year of him being in and out of an SL team, learning from an experienced half would do him no harm, similar to Mikey Lewis' development.
Kay (2025)
Doyle (off contract) Will be earning it this season but you get the impression Powell likes him
Boothroyd (off contract) Feels like him and Bain will be duking it out for the last overseas quote spot next year. Which is a shame with his injury.
Bain (2025)
Cozza (2025) Steady player but good enough for the squad
Shaw (off contract) Looking forward to seeing him play more this year
Law (2025) Same as above when given the chance

Above assumes Ashurst and Gale will retire.
If all goes well I could see us retaining Olpherts.
I expect Croft and Franco to drop out of Powell's plans but let's see.
Obviously the big question is who we can get in to organise the team.

What do you reckon? All debate welcome!

I've heard Oli Russel has signed for next year but I don't think he will be a starting half. I'd like to see us use a marquee spot for a really quality 7 and I think the only place for that at this moment in time will be Aus, I'm sure Mills is already looking and I wouldn't be surprised if he was already having conversations.

Vagana is clearly more a prop than SR on the showings we have seen. I expect he will play as prop.

I'd have to agree. But if Ashurst retires and Boothroyd doesn't make the cut, we're a natural second row short.

Tough one Russell. I like him, he's an all rounder but he's not quite where (and I can't believe I'm saying this) I'd like us to be aiming the next few years. Only issue with looking in Aus is that it'd almost definitely mean losing another quota player to make way. No doubt Mills will be looking already - hope he's got Jackson Hastings' number.

We will just recruit a second rower then I suspect - not sure if Storton who’s rumoured is a second row.

I expect Pitts, Ashurst and Griffin are possibly in their final year but we will see.

A lot can change over the season for sure.

For me if we are looking at Russel I’d just as happily see Lawford given the opportunity. Can only imagine Lawford will be ready come a full year of full time training and learning from Gale and full time coaching. I can certainly see the case for a top class marquee half though.

Trinity allegedly interested in centre Cameron Scott at Hull FC…

Already discussed in two earlier threads. Is his agent in touch with you guys?

Oh yes - I'd like a bit of Jackson Hastings down at Belle Vue. He is our type of player.

Dean Hawkins NSW cup outstanding performer winner of 2023 and halfback is looking at SL for 2025.

He’s a halfback and has forced his way into a start in NRL this weekend. Though I’d be happy for us to develop Lawford so he’s ready for next season.