Its a problem when deals are done before the end of the season. Its will be interesting to see the outcome of a number of players.

It's not, as a club we obviously gave Hudds Permission to speak to Smith in the first place & allowed the deal to go ahead on our terms.

As for the 4 year deal - We had him on a 3 so it just proves, a safety net that if a another club comes in you will get some sort of fee. A club like Hudds I suppose can take those risks on throwing big/long contracts about, there cash rich. So for a promising 23 year old forward, I don't think its out of the ordinary.

Why is that a problem?

I suppose we will get used to it after the 8s. Hopefully we are still in SL and some out of contract may stay.
Our revolving door has started already anyway. Presumably this was sorted pre BS?
I wish him the best but has he really been that good for us? It's just a symptom of what has happened this year.
Clearly, his best (earning) days are in front of him. No point in moaning, we are in transition, AGAIN.

Not especially sure what the fuss is about here. His defence was aweful as he tired, often turning his back on play as he retreated back into the line.

I think we've got this covered.

Stats don't tell you the number of times he's so off the pace he gets left standing whilst players dance round him. Also doesn't reflect the fact he's gained those stats playing 20 minutes a game.
Will get you bags of enthusiasm and 10 metres a carry though.

I rate Mullally very highly from what i have seen of him, but the key is if his heart is in it.

Shame to see Dan Smith go as i think him and Washbrook have probably been our most consistent performers but if this deal gives us a transfer fee (even if that is just Mullally FOC to the end of the season) and opens up the possibility of bringing someone else in (possibly Lee Smith?), then in the short term, which lets be honest is all we can think about, then i think it is good for us.

With regards 4 props, i think nowadays you could probably say 5 per game. Kavanagh, Simon, Smith & Annakin have all been named at LF during this season.

To be fair Mullally in my opinion never lets us down in terms of effort though probably feels he does not get enough time on the pitch or carries and I think he will do a job short term and who knows may be out on loan with you or someone else next year if he ends up a fringe player at Leeds.

I expect this is both a book balancing and rugby decision.

Firstly obviously the public are needed through the turnstiles the crowd for Wire was shocking.

From a rugby point of view I think the middle 8s will be a tense affair especially in the fixtures against the top 4 from the lower division. Size and strength along with a bit of rough stuff in the middle will go a long way to securing victory. I think this adds to your capabilities in the short term.

I'm a little surprised at some of the reactions to be honest regarding Smith. He has done ok but I don't think he has been anything other than that. I wouldn't anticipate he will ever go on to be anything than a solid player. His younger brother however could be a star.

Sorry to see Smith go but he isn't irreplaceable. There are plenty of Dan Smiths in the game.
Let's face it we will lose more of our better players if we don't do the business in the pressure games to come.

In this mornings Yorkshire Post according to Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis we have an excellent relationship with Michael Carter at Wakefield, and had agreed some time ago with him for Daniel Smith to be a Giant's player from 2016 and beyond.
It's not hard to understand the strength of the relationship when once again they've been allowed to come in and top up their contingency of Wakefield players' with another one, and in return we get a player what's going to Leeds next year and the likelyhood of that is he probably won't give a toss, according to their fans he did not do it for them when he was a Giants player so I'm not holding me breath, If he's going there then fair enough but to do the business just before the most important phase in our history, seems unexplainable unless the coach has said that he would not be playing him in the eights or more likely we've had to sell again, the only criticism I have of the player is he can't be too ambitious going there. Fwiw at least when Jowitt, Johnstone, and Crowther goes like Smith we'll get something for em.

the deal was already agreed for next year, it was done months ago,
your chairman ,by the sounds of it wanted it to happen now so approached the giants for it to happen, so i'm led to believe by reliable sources

Your reliable sources being Sky Sports? haha

cash rich?? that'll be news to most Huddersfield fans

Carter has said on facebook that it was money motivated. The low crowds have left a hole in his projections i would guess. I imagine this will also have an effect come the setting of budgets for next season so even if we survive we will fall further behind the others in terms of expenditure.

yeah I heard this was a done deal along time ago - so the "swap" element is probably to bring the timing forward from the end of the season and swap a player going out (DS) for a different player going out (AM eventually going to Leeds). This maybe had BS's input

I would imagine a few more leaving once the season comes to a conclusion.

its all comparative - probably more a reference to the owner than the club itself

Lets not get down hearted about Smith leaving yes a young one who can improve but has been a solid steady player for us nothing spectacular but done a job. As for Mullally think I would have left him at Hudds hes going to Leeds so cant see him giving two hoots about Wakey unless he sees it as getting game time and more experience.

Or alternatively, my guess would be he is scrapping around trying to find the cash to cover the cost of bringing someone else in (Lee Smith?) as BS has pointed out we are seriously lacking in the centre.

If by getting rid of Daniel Smith we can bring in Mullally & L Smith and that helps us get through the 8s then its a masterstroke. If it doesn't then we have lost a player that was going anyhow.

Just beats me how we can assume there is 'spare cash' at Wakefield to bring players in. I'm all for the signing of Lee Smith but how the hell does the club run on the gates we've been getting let alone sign players!

Yes okay, all your money for your player budget comes from your ticket sales not from a cash rich owner

Yes, by cash rich I mean they have no problems in finding the money needed to get what they want, not relying on outside sources such as ticket sales.

Let's not forget the chunk of money we get from Sky and sponsorship. I believe you are blaming the wrong group in the supporters, we have been frankly embarrassing for most of the season. The money we bring in helps but is no way near the largest contribution to the funds.
We are currently strong contenders for the championship and that will greatly reduce our non supporter funding should it happen.
Now back on topic we obviously allowed Huddersfield to talk to Smith and we must also have agreed a fee. The signing of Mullally was probably suggested by us to allow the deal to go through quicker. We have lost a squad ready player to gain one who has no interest in proving himself because he is sorted for next year and I doubt wants to risk injury.
We have released Collis, Paea, lost Kirmond through injury sold Smith and Owen for other
reasons. We have gained one genuine class player in Locke, plus from NRL reserves Sio, Castleford reserves Tansey and StHelens reserves Walker. I think we are probably quids in but I guess we are clearing the decks for another mass exodus like two years ago when you look at the list of those out of contract and those we have signed on new deals.
I know some of you are making the usual statement that he was not really that good if it helps you get through the day then fine. It is inaccurate and I wonder whose next because it is certain any player is available what happens if it's Johnstone who is a future star but is also under contract and will be subject to a transfer fee. I am sure he is being monitored by other clubs.

Alas every player has a price and if its Johnstone next so be it what would you do Scarlet keep them and have the club go bust again

Mullally will bring you plenty of enthusiasm , hes a big lad and good go forward whos hard to put down but he is poor in defence and cant do big minutes, been a long term project at the giants but now going to leeds, he shows no loyalty, left widnes for us after they sent him to oz too.