Never in a million years, Horney is so far removed from captain material it's untrue, has to be Fitzgibbon a true leader in every sense of the word.

Without doubt it should be Fitz.

Therefore let's expect agars annoucment that he is giving it to Josh Hodgson

Just to reiterate the point because people seem to be having trouble with it: IF CONTRACTS WEREN'T AN ISSUE, I'd get rid of:

Tony
Byrne (already done)
Thorman
Cusack
G Horne
Thackray
King
Cordoba

and maybe one of Dowes/Radford.

Motu
G.Horne
Thorman
Lee
King
Radford
Tickle
Thackray

Welcome to the salary cap i'm afraid....year on year players want / get bigger deals, while more youngsters knock on the door of the 1st team and are seen as an efficient replacement (economic) than the established 'squad' player (such as Lee etc).

It's inevitable that we release players.....we can't keep everyone and stifle player turnover.

Why? They are both similar type of prop, Cusack is the better of the two. Dowes has been searching for form for 2 seasons now and im thinking he might not find it.

I'd have 4 props of Lauaki, Cusack, O'Meley and Moa. If Dowes is happy been backup then fair enough.

Next year our front row will be

Dowes
Yak
O'Meley
Hame

with players backing up from Radford/Fitz/Maybe one other. That's enough cover for the front row imo, you can't keep 30 odd year olds just in case of injury, you don't see saints or leeds having a reserve team with oldies in it, what we need to do is bring in youth players when the injuries occur because it's a lot easier coming into a front row of Yak/O'Meley/Hame then it is King/Thackeray/Maloney

RELEASE-
tony
thorman
king
thackray
g.horne ?
cordoba

i think graeme might possibly get a stay of execution,as his versatility could prove useful.the rest will be told to find new employers

All the time Dowes is at Hull he'll always be a starting prop.

All the time Dowes is at Hull he'll always be a starting prop.

As for searching for form that can be pretty much said of every player at the club and i'd take issue about Cusack being better than Dowes.

And that could be one of the reasons why we'll always lose the forward battle!

really?

Explain why then?

Because of one forward?

His stats are comparable with any prop in SL and is well thought of at Hull despite what the 'fans' might want.

Just out of interest what do you expect from your front rowers?

As you have said both are similar types of player. Dowes makes more metres and more tackles per match. He also finds his front better imo and gets a swifter ptb. Neither are big offloaders of tackle busters.

There is not too much between them but there is no way the Cusack is better than Dowes to the point that he is worth paying off or using just as back-up.

I think he is an average prop now having once been a very good prop. His stats look comparable because he plays 60-70 mins rather than the standard 40 mins. He offers us graft, which we have with Cusack. I wouldnt play 2 60 minute grafters in the squad of 17. I'd have 1 and then 3 more powerful props that need rotating.

Why should we carry a forward? 3 great props and 1 average one next season if Dowes plays for me.

Think on average Dowes plays more minutes per match too. Disagree with all of your other points too.

The odd tackle broken, enthusiastic attacking of the line rather than ambling up expecting a Moses style red sea parting of the defence.

Not too much to ask I think

I like Dowes and don't want him to leave, but that comment is very wayward. Cusack is probably the best player at the club for finding his front and getting a quick play the ball.

What utter twonk

Don't agree.

Cusack gets turned more often than not. Watch you games again.

Ever since he's arrived, he's had the best/quickest play the ball at the club. Can't agree that you think he gets turned over a lot.

Fair enough thats your opinion.

I'd take Dowsey over Cusack everyday of the week and twice on a Sunday.

Rubbish.