We all see things differently- I would leave McMeeken at prop and I wouldn't touch Hardaker with the proverbial barge pole.
He's just the type of player we dont want in the squad.

I agree. All the games I've seen McMeekan play this season where he's been the best forward on the field have been at prop.

Hardaker has skills there is no doubt, but we are building a team and Hardaker is a team spirit killer. Powell knows him well though so I'm sure he'll make a good decision.

I’ve watched a few Catalans games this season where Mckmeekem has played very well at second row such as vs hull kr, Warrington and hull fc. He also looked amongst their best players against Wigan at SR despite the loss.

He’s obviously good at SR or prop but far more experienced at SR with 200 games there out of his 250 and we massively need some second rowers for next season which is why I put him there. That may change but as it stands we have 0 second rowers signed for next season other than Mckmeeken.

I have confidence in the coaching set up to make the right decision but I’m excited as I think he’s a quality player.

With Hardaker like I say he’s a good player on the pitch and would offer the cover at full back too if needed but that’s one for Powell to answer as a lot has been made about having a professional environment.

Areas we need to improve for SL, 2, 3, 4, possibly 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13.

I don't imagine Ashurst and Pitts will be around, we need better than Lino, Gale will retire, McGillivary will retire. Hood is OK at this level but we need better for SL. Doyle/Smith may get there but their not at the level needed yet. Prop is the only position where we're well, I reckoned they would compete in SL too.

Looks like we're well on the way with recruitment for next season. This is how I have us looking for next season, with a few of the rumours thrown in.

Full Back - Jowitt
Wing - Walsmley (Johnstone, Matty Russell)
Centre - Pratt (Cam Scott)
Halves - Lino, Lawford (Oliver Russell)
Props/Loose - Atoni, Uele, Vagana, McMeeken, Rodwell, Cozza, Bain
Hooker - Smith (Doyle)
Second Row - Boothroyd (Storton, Griffin)

Then there's Isaac Shaw, Noah Booth and Joe Law in or around the squad but I'm not sure where we're at in terms of contacts.

We need some full back cover and a quality centre in my opinion, and Hardaker would provide both but whether we'd want him or not is a different matter. I'd like another half but looks unlikely with Lino still having two years left. Pack doesn't look too far off, maybe another prop/second row and a decent hooker to go with Doyle and Smith.

Boothroyd I don’t think will be here as over quota. I’m not sure Griffin will be either.

For the full back and half cover I’d look no further than Hampshire. Offers cover wing too so would really drive competition for places as he’s improved as a half from watching his recent Wigan games.

I think Hood looks fitter and better this year and if there’s a lack of good 9s available I think another year would be okay while we look or Doyle/Smith progress further.

That list needs a lot of quality and cover adding. I’m really looking forward to seeing who we sign. I’d be happy with Storton as I rate him. Would be happy to see Mckmeeken and Storton in our second row next season.

Think the props will be Rodwell, Atoni, Uele and Vagana with Bain/Cozza rotating at 13. Still think we need a prop or two to replace Bowden and maybe Shaw if they’re going.

My problem areas in that team us half back and hooker. I like all the players but none of them are dominant players who will run the team.
It needs a player like Jackson Hastings when he came over who can dominate a game.

I think we need a better 9 than Hood. I don't think Cozza is SL quality either, certainly not for the first 17.

Jack Brown was rumoured I think, well he's cut Trinity out and gone straight to HKR with Aydin going the other way permanently.

He's a KR lad originally, played his junior days at east hull, his mum is a massive KR fan. He came through the system when KR & FC had a joint academy and then FC were allowed to pick the best out of it first before it splitting. His mum will be very pleased he's back a robin

I tend to agree with a lot of the comments on here we can all see where the team isn’t as strong as we’d like but it takes time to build a successful team. It’s not just a question of buying random players however good and expecting to win the league. Up until the current season look at the money spent and league placings of hull. It’s nice to dream but suspect the names signed and names mentioned already take as a long way towards our budget. Hood and Doyle wouldn’t be my first choice hookers in sl but another year with hood to allow smith to develop wouldn’t be end of world. Realistically there isn’t much uk quality out there and available. It’s clear that as it stands Russel and Lino will be our starting halves. Storton at loose and our pack is pretty much sorted.

Cant say I care for hard acre or his track record but he would provide good cover at full back and centre, equally wouldn’t be disappointed. With hard acre an injury in the halves would allow a reshuffle with max or with Hampshire a straight swap into the halves.

Sounds like we’ve signed a centre from hull, the one player that’s really hard to call is walmsley - great eye for a try, couple of great try savers but reallly needs to beef up/improve his running out of defence.

Its all very exciting

Storton is a second row who can cover prop. He’s not a loose and we have Bain and Cozza for Loose with Rodwell I suppose if needed.

I would be very happy with Storton.

We are in transition and it’s important we build over this next few years. As mentioned players like Hood could help with that transition and bridge the gap between some quality becoming available and our younger lads developing.

No point signing players for the sake of it or out of desperation if the club don’t see them as longer term. We may get a couple to bridge the gap. I’m perhaps there’s some deals to be done with contracted players. We may have a few unexpected players on the radar.

I look down the list though of available SL players and there’s not a whole lot of quality.

There’s some decent players though:

These are a few I hope we look at:

Matthieu leaguerre (centre)
Cam Scott (Centre)
Tom Johnstone (Wing)
Sam Hewitt (second row)
Marty Storton (second row)
Oliver Russell (Halfback)
Joe Cator (Loose forward)
Ryan Hampshire(halfback/fullback/wing)

Just don’t get the Hampshire connection …. Esp if we’re hoping to go forward in SL , he’s already been here and everywhere else for that matter !!!!

Why not? He’s good enough to cover for Wigan warriors in key positions and has great utility value in 3 positions but not Wakefield Trinity?. He’s also improved at half, was instrumental in reserves final and made some good contributions for Wigan when he stepped in this year.

It’s completely irrelevant whether he’s been here or how many clubs he’s been at. Why you would factor those into an opinion I don’t know.

Why would his signing not move us forward? It would certainly enhance the depth and competition for places.

Not seen him play for Wigan this year and what he does in a reserves team isn't good enough if were hoping to be challenging in SL next year ! We need better imo .... tbh is there a pitch wide enough to cope with his sideways runs which usually take out the winger etc .....personally I doubt it . Also think its very relevant how many clubs he's been at and not tied down a regular spot.

It’s not relevant if you’re signing him as a utility player to promote competition for places and provide experienced cover in positions we are short in.

We can’t sign a team of 30 superstars who will all be starting players. You need depth and cover and with experience in some areas.

Hoping to challenge in SL next year!!

Think someone needs to seriously manage their expectations!

We won’t be challenging in SL in 2025, mid table would be an amazing return to the top flight and a realistic target, think are a few years away from hoping to challenge in SL.

I’d take Rocky over Lino every day of the week and twice on match days to be honest with you.

There wouldn’t be that much in it for me between them.

I agree, we are t going to jump into top of SL in 2025 but mid table and slipping into playoffs edges would be a good goal and allow something to build on for 2026.

Agree, I think when people say challenging in SL, it doesn't mean for the GF, IMO it means for the playoffs, generally being competitive in most games and not struggling at the bottom to gain a win. Ideally, it's a season which we can build from and keep the crowds growing. This enables us to turn the heads of other good players because they can see that things have changed at Trinity, as Hull KR and Leigh have done. It's obviously what enticed McMeekan to sign.

Good grief I didn't mean challenging for GF etc .....just in general . Not getting thrashed every week .....challenging for mid table....good cup run etc . To do this I think we need better than Lino and Hampshire imo..

Think this is the problem we got ,too much work and money spent on forwards as left us with a back 7 who as a unit is way too slow and old for S L It wil take more than T J to make us a mid table S L team And the young players we have brought in for the halfs and hooker roll are are year's of S L

I mean I have to disagree.

Jowitt can finish most opportunities, back up well and create overlap. He’s got fairly good speed without being electric.

TJ - if signs hardly any will catch him.

Pratt - looks like he’s got pretty good agility on his feet but he doesn’t look slow.

Walmsley - more in the BJB running style than TJ but has the speed to finish most chances I’d expect.

Speed won’t or shouldn’t be something we lack.

Gale - won’t be in SL so that’s irrelevant.

Lino - more quicker over a short burst than long distance but wouldn’t say he’s slow.

To add to the post above, we already know that the squad is going to look a fair bit different next year, especially as the interview with our Recruitment Manager, Ste Mills, said we've put bids in for 8 players I think he said. one of those was McMeekan I presume. So maybe at least 7 more to come in maybe.

We're probably going to run a squad of around 30 players next season and atm we've got about 21, taking off guys like Gale, McGillvery, Ashurst, Pitts, Griffin, Franco and probably Bowden and Thornley and keeping our young players. So it stands to reason that we're going to have to wait and see who Mills and Powell can bring in to make a quality squad.

This year it was more important to have a strong pack than fancy backs.

Next year they can add some more quality to the backline.

I also agree that we need to manage expectations.
We want to challenge the top but Powell himself has said that's a 4 year plan. Not a 1 year plan.

What if they win the postcode lottery.