Let's not forget this is a squad game, not every player we sign will be with a view to them being a first choice 17 player.

Part of it, but not the only reason. Appleyard definitely wanted Dagger, that's certainly the main reason, I wouldn't argue with that. Whether people like it or not Dagger was actually the best signing Mash ever made, and if we had of stopped up, he'd have been far more instrumental in our survival than Hall. The team did improve on his arrival as far as I'm concerned. We actually didn't want to lose Hall if we could avoid it, but we simply couldn't afford to sign Dagger and pay a fee, so a player swap was our only option, and Hall was one of the players they were willing to take, they had us over a barrel. Part of the justification for Hall was the head issue he supposedly had at the time, and it was a position we could cover better than FB, where we were really struggling. People can blame Mash and Carter all they like, but there were very few options at the time.

Totally depends on promotion, can't see any player leaving a SL trinity out of choice anymore.

I thought it seemed weird too, even weirder when Eseh came on against St Helens.

Yeah, it's what I said earlier. Hull KR had made enquiries about Hall at the start of the season I think it was, so the club knew that was the only real asset they could use to potentially make a deal for Dagger. Unfortunately, we were a skint club and we had no other choice at the time, but like you say even though we lost a prospect, Dagger really did come through for us.

Know it's a quota spot, but Leigh are not renewing Ricky Leutele contract for some reason.

Now we are talking quality centres!

Good for Leigh but if we had a quota spot I wouldn’t be wasting it on a soon to be 35 year old centre whose current team isn’t interested in keeping. One who I think only a time ago had an injury that kept him out a while I read. No thanks. The few times I’ve seen him this year he’s been ok but not great. Rather keep Thornley another year.

If we end up with a spot there would be much younger and better players to consider. But again, we don’t have a quota spot for 2025.

Knew he'd had an injury but I wouldn't have guessed he was that age.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ommunities

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ommunities

Didn't realise he was that age, so it's a pass for me too.

Don't think we need to worry about centres. As far as I'm concerned Pratt is a future international, whilst Joe Law has a brilliant attitude and is already a decent player, whilst Thornley has another SL year left in him and with the return of Hall, that's sorted for me.

You can add Cam Scott to the list as well as I am told he has signed a 3 year deal.

Can Scott is certainly a talent and I've seen him play both left and right centre which mot everyone can do.

It would be good Pratt and Hall covering left with Scott and Thornley covering right.
Not sure where that leaves Croft though.

There is a rumour doing the rounds that we have offered Tex Hoy a contract for next year, I`m not sure where he fits into the team and obviously there is some moving around to do with the quota spots anyway, but it`s the first time I've heard this one.

The Cas forum seems convinced we are in talks to sign Tex Hoy, which makes no sense, one because we have no quota and 2 we don't need to sign an Aussieto cover Max.

He's definitely improved the Castleford outfit and massively picked up on form compared to his Hull FC stint but not sure he's worth the quota spot with us already having a proven Super League fullback.

Unless there are other plans, I know both players have played a little bit of five eight previously. Perhaps things aren't so solid with bringing Russell in?

We need to stop talking about the quota spots like they are the ultimate blocker, if the club wants to sign a quota player for SL next year, they will make room on the quota. I honestly can`t see us keeping hold of the likes of Bain when he is likely 5th or 6th choice front row.

Maybe, but I can't see us making more than one or two places if we do start paying someone off and like I said I'd prefer us to buy a good overseas half with that space, not someone who's played there occasionally who's predominately a fullback. I don't know It seems a strange name to come up IMO. Anyway, we'll see what the club does regarding managing the cap etc, but we either stick or have some serious juggling to do.

Oh yeah, when this has come up before Bothroyd appears to have only signed for the year, even though he looked before his injury like he's a quality player. So if that's correct and we pay Bain off, that's 2 places created if DP wants them.

Turnstile tex, no thanks

Why sign a full back when our best player this year is a full back?

He hasn’t played so how do we know yet. Also he’s more of a 13 who can play prop with hands than a prop.

The club signed him for 2 years because they saw potential in him. He should have the opportunity to show that in the coming months.

The quota isn’t the ultimate blocker you make out but we are at full quota for next season with 20+ games left to play. That is a fact. Should we wish to release a player from quota I’m sure that’s because the club have secured a player of high quality on that position.

Improved them? Wasn’t he the full back in the 4-60 thrashing by a 12 man Saints side?

For about 35 minutes until his head hit the floor trying to stop saints 2nd try

We have an excellent young FB coming through in Noah Booth. I reckon you will see him figure in a few games later on in the season, especially if we take top spot with games to spare.

If we are interested, I suspect it will be to take over at 6 as Gale is retiring.