Rovers obviously see Macdonald as a big upgrade on Evalds at fullback but want quota and cap dispensation to make it work. Even if Salford don’t get any short term investment (I think they might anyway with these Aussies ) I’m not sure the other clubs will just let Rovers have it, especially the likes of Hull and Leigh who would argue that we have cap space already to take players and the likes of Wigan, Saints and Wire especially might just see it as only working to strengthen a rival in Rovers if they’re not desperate for any Salford players themselves. He’s a top player but I agree with one of the posters above I’d just stick to our target of Cross as safer longer term option. It’s a gamble that Rovers might want to take because it might be the difference of a trophy for them this season but we’re not at the level and Macdonald would mean a lot of wriggling around cap and quota when any potential dispensation ended in 2026. Cross on a three year deal would be a good signing, he’d add that pace to the centres that we lack, fits within our cap and non quota and maybe Salford would be willing to do a deal anyway if it helped them keep the bigger stars. Sneyd I’d think would be the last player they’d want to lose. From our end I’d like it to happen and think a Sneyd and Sezer would work well but if it was a straight shoot out I think the Leigh move would be his choice. Like I said a few days ago though think the reports of the ‘Salford fire sale’ are coming from a journalist with a well placed source at one club, might not be representative of what the whole league wants anyway. I suppose we’ll likely find out later when they meet.

[quote="DSJ1983":3ebj530m]Rovers obviously see Macdonald as a big upgrade on Evalds at fullback but want quota and cap dispensation to make it work. Even if Salford don’t get any short term investment (I think they might anyway with these Aussies ) [b:3ebj530m]I’m not sure the other clubs will just let Rovers have it, especially the likes of Hull and Leigh who would argue that we have cap space[/b:3ebj530m] already to take players and the likes of Wigan, Saints and Wire especially might just see it as only working to strengthen a rival in Rovers if they’re not desperate for any Salford players themselves. He’s a top player but I agree with one of the posters above I’d just stick to our target of Cross as safer longer term option. It’s a gamble that Rovers might want to take because it might be the difference of a trophy for them this season but we’re not at the level and Macdonald would mean a lot of wriggling around cap and quota when any potential dispensation ended in 2026. Cross on a three year deal would be a good signing, he’d add that pace to the centres that we lack, fits within our cap and non quota and maybe Salford would be willing to do a deal anyway if it helped them keep the bigger stars. Sneyd I’d think would be the last player they’d want to lose. From our end I’d like it to happen and think a Sneyd and Sezer would work well but if it was a straight shoot out I think the Leigh move would be his choice. Like I said a few days ago though think the reports of the ‘Salford fire sale’ are coming from a journalist with a well placed source at one club, might not be representative of what the whole league wants anyway. I suppose we’ll likely find out later when they meet.[/quote:3ebj530m] It will 100% get agreed upon as if it doesn’t, Salford will go under and not be able to get rid of players due to most teams being near caps / also Salford would want to maximise potential bidding wars for their players so they’d also want the rules flexed From a playing field perspective maybe some teams would opt out and say no, but if Salford go under in a few weeks that’s a team lost which would be far worse than letting a few teams have players As for his position if he did end up at rovers he wouldn’t see full back, he’d be up against gildart/broadbent for centre, my guess he would slot straight in

I don't really get Cross. He's just played an entire season on the wing. He's almost certainly not as quick as Barron or Martin. And he's not a particularly strong runner. I'm already worried about Briscoe starting in front of one of our young wingers, with Cross we'd face the prospect of neither of them starting. And as a centre he's probably at best on a par with Hardaker.

[quote="Raggytash":251rwipj]I don't really get Cross. He's just played an entire season on the wing. He's almost certainly not as quick as Barron or Martin. And he's not a particularly strong runner. I'm already worried about Briscoe starting in front of one of our young wingers, with Cross we'd face the prospect of neither of them starting. And as a centre he's probably at best on a par with Hardaker.[/quote:251rwipj] Worth watching his highlights, particularly from the 2023 season,where he mainly played centre (not really a suprise when played wing, with Salfords centres), but he is quick and a strong runner. I'm sure he would be signed to play centre and is better than Chamberlain and offers pace in the centres that we don't haven

[quote="Raggytash":1m94eghm]I don't really get Cross. He's just played an entire season on the wing. He's almost certainly not as quick as Barron or Martin. And he's not a particularly strong runner. I'm already worried about Briscoe starting in front of one of our young wingers, with Cross we'd face the prospect of neither of them starting. And as a centre he's probably at best on a par with Hardaker.[/quote:1m94eghm] He played as a centre a couple of years ago might have been his first SL season and looked good, got a really good try return too from centre. Disagree about him being a strong runner, he was in the top 20 SL players for meters and tackle busts in 24. He’d definitely add more strike and pace in the centres that we could do with. Maybe we could look at a quota centre for 2026 but domestic wise don’t see anyone better who’s off contract for 2026 even if we decide to wait. If there’s a chance we can get him snd get him in for 2025 we would take the opportunity IMO.

[quote="Theeaststander1":2xmg4xrp]It will 100% get agreed upon as if it doesn’t, Salford will go under and not be able to get rid of players due to most teams being near caps / also Salford would want to maximise potential bidding wars for their players so they’d also want the rules flexed [/quote:2xmg4xrp] Clubs have voted against the dispensations. For me it did seem like Rovers leaked the idea to maybe put pressure on other clubs who wouldn’t be keen. You was right about Salford wanting it though, they seemingly they voted in favour.

Puts us in a strong position to sign Cross and maybe Sneyd (or another domestic player)

Puts Leeds out the race for Kallum Watkins, id be looking at him.

[quote="DSJ1983":395mxwtk]Clubs have voted against the dispensations. For me it did seem like Rovers leaked the idea to maybe put pressure on other clubs who wouldn’t be keen. You was right about Salford wanting it though, they seemingly they voted in favour.[/quote:395mxwtk] Not being bias but this whole debacle has 0 to do with rovers, teams like cas etc will want to see the back of Salford etc This to me concretes the fact that this is the end of Salford, granted if hull offer them 700k for sneyd in which they won’t, only yourselves and Leigh have cap space/money, the price of the players has just shot down

[quote="Theeaststander1":12gjamcr]Not being bias but this whole debacle has 0 to do with rovers, teams like cas etc will want to see the back of Salford etc This to me concretes the fact that this is the end of Salford, granted if hull offer them 700k for sneyd in which they won’t, only yourselves and Leigh have cap space/money, the price of the players has just shot down[/quote:12gjamcr] Think Rovers wanted Macdonald and will have pushed for dispensations and obviously briefed the media, but agree it looks really worrying for Salford, I expected them to put up a fight for players even if the RFL suggested they offer them around.

[quote="Theeaststander1":3fbmip68]Not being bias but this whole debacle has 0 to do with rovers, teams like cas etc will want to see the back of Salford etc This to me concretes the fact that this is the end of Salford, granted if hull offer them 700k for sneyd in which they won’t, only yourselves and Leigh have cap space/money, the price of the players has just shot down[/quote:3fbmip68] Wakefield and Wire have cap space. Wakefield, Leigh, Wire and Huuds have a quotation spot available

[quote="REDWHITEANDBLUE":3ddjnxgr]Wakefield and Wire have cap space. Wakefield, Leigh, Wire and Huuds have a quotation spot available[/quote:3ddjnxgr] Not the space to offer the contracts the players will want , very minimal cap left in most clubs

[quote="DSJ1983":1bv7utv3]Think Rovers wanted Macdonald and will have pushed for dispensations and obviously briefed the media, but agree it looks really worrying for Salford, I expected them to put up a fight for players even if the RFL suggested they offer them around.[/quote:1bv7utv3] I get you think hull kr are the only ones who have put bids in, but Wigan saints and co will have all had a hand in pockets Saints needed a nene McDonald etc All articles said ‘and various other clubs’ But either way doesnt matter the rfl will let their players walk on a free next week as they ain’t making up 700k

[quote="Theeaststander1":1munuehf]Not the space to offer the contracts the players will want , very minimal cap left in most clubs[/quote:1munuehf] See what happens if/when it come to it then

[quote="Theeaststander1":15ntv2xv]I get you think hull kr are the only ones who have put bids in, but Wigan saints and co will have all had a hand in pockets Saints needed a nene McDonald etc All articles said ‘and various other clubs’ But either way doesnt matter the rfl will let their players walk on a free next week as they ain’t making up 700k[/quote:15ntv2xv] We may have voted yes otherwise I'd be surprised if we could fit cross and sneyd under the cap, however at least 7 clubs voted no which is all that matters

[quote="Jake the Peg":zr11vpbp]We may have voted yes otherwise I'd be surprised if we could fit cross and sneyd under the cap, however at least 7 clubs voted no which is all that matters[/quote:zr11vpbp] I can't imagine Cross will cost much and wouldn't Sneyd be our fed trained marquee?

[quote="Jake the Peg":2yu5oghn]We may have voted yes otherwise I'd be surprised if we could fit cross and sneyd under the cap, however at least 7 clubs voted no which is all that matters[/quote:2yu5oghn] “at this stage no changes have been made to salary cap regulations, but further proposals may be considered." if i was to have a bet, i dont think for one second this will pull salford out the 700k hole if they dont give dispensations to the clubs the players will just walk to save themselves i think the RFL will override the 'vote' and put the dispensations in to save a club with it being 3 weeks till the seasons starts

[quote="Theeaststander1":32qujypk]“at this stage no changes have been made to salary cap regulations, but further proposals may be considered." if i was to have a bet, i dont think for one second this will pull salford out the 700k hole if they dont give dispensations to the clubs the players will just walk to save themselves i think the RFL will override the 'vote' and put the dispensations in to save a club with it being 3 weeks till the seasons starts[/quote:32qujypk] You hope, not think

[quote="Jake the Peg":35bhlw45]You hope, not think[/quote:35bhlw45] if youre referring to nene we have 3 great centres all capable....he would be brilliant but not needed whatsoever i think the genuine conversation that needs to be addressed now is we are about to have an 11 team league, which will put a lot of strain on clubs

[quote="Theeaststander1":3tdr6zaf]“at this stage no changes have been made to salary cap regulations, but further proposals may be considered." if i was to have a bet, i dont think for one second this will pull salford out the 700k hole if they dont give dispensations to the clubs the players will just walk to save themselves i think the RFL will override the 'vote' and put the dispensations in to save a club with it being 3 weeks till the seasons starts[/quote:3tdr6zaf] Override the vote allow the dispensations and save Salford (for now) and ruin the integrity of the competition. Rock and hard place.

[quote="Theeaststander1":1f6ao2tp]if youre referring to nene we have 3 great centres all capable....[quote:1f6ao2tp]he would be brilliant but not needed whatsoever [/quote:1f6ao2tp] i think the genuine conversation that needs to be addressed now is we are about to have an 11 team league, which will put a lot of strain on clubs[/quote:1f6ao2tp] If's that's the case why do Rovers want to sign him. Purely to help save Salford of course.

[quote="Marcus's Bicycle":1ofb23t2]If's that's the case why do Rovers want to sign him. Purely to help save Salford of course.[/quote:1ofb23t2] we wanted him purely because on his day hes a top centre, nobody implied for a second that we want to save a club, but the RFL will have worries more than most as it will burn another bridge with sky etc like you say rock and a hard place salford players will be ringing their agents taking any offer they can, its all gonna end worse for everyone if the RFL dont make some drastic choices

[quote="Theeaststander1":31kswwzk]we wanted him purely because on his day hes a top centre, nobody implied for a second that we want to save a club, but the RFL will have worries more than most as it will burn another bridge with sky etc like you say rock and a hard place salford players will be ringing their agents taking any offer they can, its all gonna end worse for everyone if the RFL dont make some drastic choices[/quote:31kswwzk] Sad to say that even with a fire sale I cannot see how it will save Salford. At best a stay of execution. Unless they find a backer asap I cannot see them continuing which will be terrible for the game.

[quote="Marcus's Bicycle":2kzn9ki6]Sad to say that even with a fire sale I cannot see how it will save Salford. At best a stay of execution. Unless they find a backer asap I cannot see them continuing which will be terrible for the game.[/quote:2kzn9ki6] 100% agree they aint getting close to 700k players wont care about the offers being put for transfer fees, theyll just want out sneyd may get a bit of a bidding war between yourselves and leigh but that is gonna cover lets say 100k , going off the ackers/croft transfers cross/olmonroyd will most likely be happy just to get a deal elsewhere wakey have the pick of jayden n / nene / stone / lewis who do they take, but again they wont offer silly money as if they wanted too, they could just give it 3 weeks and get them for free

[quote="Theeaststander1":ht912c5x]if youre referring to nene we have 3 great centres all capable....he would be brilliant but not needed whatsoever i think the genuine conversation that needs to be addressed now is we are about to have an 11 team league, which will put a lot of strain on clubs[/quote:ht912c5x] Salford would be uncompetitive with a decimated squad anyway. The only person wringing his hands is you as you see that glimmer of hope disappear