I think the quota cap is a different discussion. The cap isn’t increasing as it stands.

The change we may see from this is less nrl players coming at the tail end of their career for a pay day or past their prime but in place of that some talent that’s early 20’s who could be coming into their prime. That’s not a bad thing imo.

I have continually stated that investing In Crigglestone, Eastmoor, Normanton and Stanley, four solid clubs with facilities, is the way ahead. New players, new coaches, new fans etc, etc.
I agree with the above that we should be looking to reduce the quota. I am certain we would still follow our teams if there were just three instead of seven overseas players. A massive expenditure reduction as a bonus.
At Crigg, we are lucky this year to have Trinity legend JT and Mason Lino as a bonus of the Big Bopper being with us.
It’s simple, Trinity, please allocate players to the clubs to help and identify talent and save yourselves a fortune.

No relegation for 3 years? Not read that?!

I believe once you are in you are in for 3 years with IMG grading not being done again for 3 years.

I understood it was a yearly score using three year averages.

Most of the players come at the end of their careers are proven quality players. Most bring something to the comp.

I’ve no issue with those signings.

Bringing the young lads who are not getting a look in into the NRL (if they were they wouldn’t be coming) isn’t the way to go for me.

I appreciate it doesn’t increase the quota but it will increase significantly the numbers of players of lower quality.

You are correct, not sure where I got my interpretation from.

The point stands though, if you are in SL and doing the right things off the pitch it’s unlikely you are going to get relegated.

No relegation for 3 years? Where do you get that from?

See above…don’t actually know where I got that from but having read up it’s not the case, potentially a throw back to the franchise days in my head, but I am incorrect it’s an annual grading.

Think you're missing the point of this change in the rules, the RFL have actually approached the government because the UK is being priced out of the "quality NRL players" so are only picking up the last payday guys, if these younger players were getting regular NRL games, they also would demand a high price, that the UK clubs can't afford, therefore opening up the talent pot by removing the criteria for 1st grade/international appearances allows good decent young talent that could be used in the UK/Europe competitions makes sense.
However I do agree on your previous point that the quota numbers need to be reduce, down to 5 ASAP and as low as 3 makes sense.
Also I agree with Manuel's point, Trinity should be spending more time with local community clubs developing talent there as early as U8/9's and YJARL need to stop allowing teams to just pop up out of nowhere using some random facilities, just because there's been a fall out at there old club. Teams like Crigg, Easmoor, Stanley and Normaton spend £1000's a year to run their clubs and have done for a number of years. Stop all these phoenix clubs appearing and invest longterm not short term fix's.

Most definitely an annual grading.

To me pricing out of NRL players isn’t a bad thing.

We are still going to pick up players like Fifita, French, Field, Croft, Hastings, Arona, Etc, we are just increasing the instances of lower quality player coming over. Players who are on the fringes of NRL will generally meet the criteria to come over they will have had a crack and not quite made it.

To me increasing the pool (effectively lowering the standard of it also) simply puts up more barriers for the developing English players.

I’ve no doubt there will be some gems over there playing at that level, but I’m also sure there will be some gems already playing the game who if they get a chance will rise to the occasion.

For me the biggest difference between the players is athletic ability. The environments in which they are coached and investment in that area in Australia is superior.

This to me gives us another excuse not to focus on investing in that area at all levels because why would we when we can just dig into the overseas market.

At some point we have to grasp the nettle to grow the sport in this country, I personally think the way to do that is through international success.

That’s not going to happen quickly however this move in my opinion is another step away from achieving this.

The point is, we're not. What "new" players of this calibre have come in the SLE in the last 24months

The standard is being lowered because of the calibre/age of the players that are now "affordable and available".

Bringing in new young blood QC players is sensible as long as we don't flood the field with them, hence my agreement with your point in lowering the quota numbers

I don't really agree with either point.
Lowering the quota won't give us better quality imports, nor will it increase the quality of home grown players.

Neither will limiting or increasing the player pool.

I'm happy they are letting us bring more in. The sad fact is many players playing in these leagues are good enough for Super League.

I've never bought into 'holding back a young players development'
If they can't shift an average aussie, they aren't good enough......yet

The issue is still with the short term view of the clubs. You shouldn't have to put restrictions in place to get a club to develop their youth. They should be doing that anyway.
But that's why we now need IMG.

I'd rather incentivise development than restrict the imports if we are going to do something.

Jayden Nikorima, Bailey Sironen, Tom Deakin, Jack Murchie, Adam Clune, Herman Ese’ese, Jayden Okunbor, Franklin Pele, Manu Brown, Peta Hiku, Tyrone May, Lackie Miller, Matt Frawley, Paul Momirovski, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Rodrick Tai, Zane Musgrove.

All lads who are coming over due to bring fringe NRL players.

I think most of them will have more NRL pedigree under their belt than most of the lads I mentioned in the original post (most not all as Croft had a few years as a starting half).

There are plenty of others too who have been on the cusp on NRL but not quite made the step up.

My issue/concern is bringing over lads who are not even in the conversation for NRL but they will get fast tracked over our own developing players.

The last point is my point too.

Sadly though history has proven that clubs will not incentivise youth development if they have other options. This move for me increases clubs options.

As of this point in time, none of these have performed to the level and influence of the previous mentioned players and to a degree, some of those are fringe NRL players that only just qualify for a Visa under the current playing criteria

Fifita, French, Field were all fringe NRL players with less than 20 games in first grade.

Hastings was just breaking his way in but had disciplinary issues.

Croft was the only one who was a regular but he couldn’t get a gig.

Most of the lads mentioned have way more first grade experience.

They obviously haven’t played to the same level in SL, because 95% have not yet played a game in SL.

Circulating in the press we are targeting McMeeken for 2025.

That really would be a statement signing.

He was really good against Tonga and seems to be playing really well in the middle. Johnstone and mcmeekin would be amazing additions

I agree would be two cracking signings that.

I’m sure both deals are a long long way off with many hurdles to jump however just seeing us linked with 2 English international players in the press given we have just been relegated shows how far this club has come in the last few months.

It certainly would.

The Kasiano rumour isn't going away too.

One player elsewhere, that could be surplus to requirenents is Jordan Abdul, who is heading to France on a season long loan deal

I’m not sure on Kasiano but in the championship off the bench could give some punch. Would be a decent but very short term signing for 2024 only.

Wasn’t he carrying an injury and isn’t that the reason he was released? Sure I read that somewhere.

Not much real news coming out of the club following that initial saturation honeymoon period so I guess the hacks are happy to latch onto any rumour no matter how flimsy. That second half at Headingley didn't help.