i dont mind the club offering Ratchford a coaching job...if that's what's happening... For all we know, he is a brilliant coach and he is being given a chance... he has spent along time at the club and he COULD have made a big impression in that regard.

i do however, find the 1 year playing extension a strange one.... im really not sure what he offers anymore.

Your looking a stats again…

When Ratchford was taken out by Wigan in the GF, we had already booked the open top bus!

It appears that Bateman will be yet another big money signing for Wakefield.

I`m happy that he is going there rather than us signing him to replace Nicholson for 2025.

His best days were several seasons ago & he wouldn`t have been a good recruit for Wire IMHO.

I am hoping the days of some OAP looking for a pension from us are done. Yes admittedly we caused that but signing young hungry players is the way to go and promoting from our academy. The one deviation from it is props we need something straight out of the package that gives us grunt up front.

I have banged that drum a fair bit in last few days and especially with the announcement of Ratchford getting a 1 year playing extension. It’s the one area I’d rather we spend on props. That said I am looking forward to see how Okoro goes when he gets a chance.

i'd quite like a big bulky prop/forward

The club shouldn’t been even considering giving Ratchford an extension of a playing contract. If it’s a coaching role then the club has to find a role to suit, so Ratchford can concentrate on his gaining his own experience to becoming a coach. Why offer a playing deal and using up cap space, if time on the pitch will be limited.

Burgess has bigger problems to solve, than worrying about keeping Ratchford In the playing squad. The squad needs strengthening in other areas, two props and a creative edge/centre are a must for next season.

I may be in the minority but I agree with you 100%. In terms of props - we have quantity but not quality in depth. Our performance degrades when Vaughan and Harrison go off.

In terms of centre, I think we can do better with an overseas spot than Tai for all round play.

.Duplicate. I'm sure this forum was coded by the Fujitsu/Horizon team.

Aaron Pene?

Signed for Leigh.

Some of those blokes that like taking their shirt off in stadiums look like big bulky props, certainly not the Adonis they think they are.

Hearing Lee Briers to Cronulla, bit of a surprise if any truth in it.

As an assistant coach, or as the 1st Team Coach?

I thought he was going to Souths with Bennett.

Steve Price is currently assistant coach at Cronulla.

No idea it was just something told to me today and I already read about the South’s thing.

Can he play prop?

Saying we are in for Rhyse Martin now.

Can he play prop?

I like Rhyse Martin consistently good, quality goal kicker, that last game against Castleford he single handedly won for them but time is not on his side. I'm sure he's an improvemnt over Holroyd now but not so sure for how long.

Rhyse Martin is good and would improve our goal kicking. But im concerned that we are becoming overloaded with back rowers.

We don’t need Martin for kicking.
We have Thewlis Drinkwater (perhaps) and Ratchford who can all kick goals it the 80% plus bracket.

Poor recruiting and I’ll just give up on winning SL in 25 if that’s the direction we’re heading.
Let him go Hull FC or Leigh.

I would say Holroyd has been one of the brighter light with his tackling. Thank goodness he played last night.

Thought he was good in the Wigan game but didn't see anything stand out from his last night performance. Perhaps may see something in a rewatch, in defence though doubt it certainly seriously doubt anything in attack.

Still think Martin would be an improvement for a year if we lose Nicholson but no real great desire one way or another.

Agree with you on JT and really happy to see his improvement, but Drinkwater and Ratchford shouldn't be in our 1st 17 if Hayes comes back anything like, and im definitely sure Drinkwater isn't a consistent 80% kicker

Agree with this. Nicholson and Holroyd work hard in defence but offer little in metres and line running and are giving away at least 2 stones to the majority of back rowers. Martin and Fitzgibbon can both add to attacking lines and have the experience. Holroyd will come and we are losing Nicholson anyway.
I really hope we don’t offer a contract to Drinkwater, reduced or otherwise, as cover for Leon Hayes. Leon has a serious injury to overcome and we should not push him too much next season. Jackson Hastings and Williams at half back would be ideal.