There isn't an abundance of halves throughout the game. Sure Matty Johns was saying this morning that Gus Gould has set up a half back academy because they're struggling for quality in the NRL. How about a play for Sam Walker on a 2 year loan. Out of the NRL spotlight to develop back at his hometown club. Sure Gary could talk the Roosters into that deal

Walker will get back into first grade at some stage (I think he's injured right now). Regardless of being dropped he's seen as one of the brighter young talents in the NRL - he'd get a gig elsewhere easily (say the Tigers) if the Roosters let him go, which they won't.

I think what Gould's referring to is the gap between the top halfbacks - DCE, Cleary, Reynolds - and the rest. He wants to see more of the top end halfbacks. The reality is the NRL has plenty who could do a good job in SL, some of whom aren't even playing first grade in Oz. Cogger, Nikorima, Milford, O'Sullivan, Townsend, Flanagan are all of that sort of standard. They've all got some flaws which stop them being the best - lack of speed, poor kicking game etc - but would all go fine in SL.

John Davidson reporting we're (hull) in for Bentley. Heard a few rumours last week of us looking at him too

Anyone heard anything?

I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case to be fair. Given the emergence of Gannon and McDonnell, they would adequately take that spot from Bentley.
I would expect Austin to be staying at Leeds, or returning to Australia. Our half back combination is one big question we all have for 24 onwards.

Myler
Fusitua Newman MacDonald Handley
? ?
Oledzki O’Connor Holroyd
Martin McDonnell
Smith

Johnson Lisone Sangare Goudemand

Gannon, Donaldson, Ruan, Edgell, Gibbons, Hooley, Lumb, Olpherts, Roberts, Simpson, Sinfield, Warren, Smith.

Difficult to say Newman is going to pin down a centre spotfor the year. If fit yes but it is a very big if

If that’s where we are at then prop very much still needs to be on the shopping list.

Cheers Frosties

Agree with this. Really need to think carefully about keeping Austin for two years. If we do the only players coming off quota for 25 would be Martin and MacDonald, who both play important roles on what I suspect is fairly reasonable money. I think this year is the year to push and whilst I do think we need a prop I'd be looking at the domestic market and not using up another quota spot on one. A few weeks ago Rohan mentioned they'd be looking at players who could provide points of difference. That for me, would be speed. Despite playing good football we gave nobody who can go the length.

Hey up guys, I’ve missed a lot on this. Been on a rig in Angola, honking. But I have an update as my pal was round ours having a bbq. So we are 100% in for top rated Full back, Prop and a half, we are looking at centre aswell. The names I have been given as Austin is expected to stay are Townsend, Sam Walker, Johnson and one other but he would say. Full back was pretty coy but west tigers was mentioned but that is a definite. Tetevano isn’t getting another contract so a quota prop is happening. Will have another update on Tuesday.

That's interesting and fingers crossed we do have something dynamic up our sleeves. Only thing is that if Fusitua and Austin stay we only have two quota spaces and not three, so we do have limited flexibility.

The Walker suggestion was a bit tongue in cheek, but the Roosters were keen to get him out of the spotlight to let his game develop. He's definitely their future 7, but he's still young so maybe a couple of years in SL would help him further.

Without many top quality halves in the NRL, does it potentially make it more appealing for those who would have previously come over here to stick around at clubs? There's been plenty of chopping and changing at clubs as they try players out. My thought was that it could see less looking to make the over here