First time for everything

I like Mathers.

Did a great job for us, shame he got his head turned elsewhere. But we then got the services of Webb so as a club we can't grumble too much.

I've really enjoyed watching him over last couple of years, at Wire and Cas, he seems to have got his game back together after time on the outside.

If he does leave Cas, it means there's a decent full-back going.

From a Cas fans view, he wouldn't feature in my plans neither, for next season I want to see Richard Owen at full back, and I'm guessing Millward thinks the same, so Mathers would be just a mere squad player.

A mere squad player?

Have you realised how to be successful in Super League?

Look at Cas, once Mather was injured then a couple of the props went down (Huby, Jackson) they were well off track by the end of the season.

You can't bank on Owen to be fit and Mathers can cover a few bases in the halves too if required.

An army of mere squad players are required.

Shame he got injured when he did in 2006(?). He was developing into one of the best full backs in the comp.

At some point in time, Cas need to find out whether Owen can do it at full back on a consistent basis.

Now is as good a time as any.

Little surprised they don't want to keep him around as cover in the halves and at full back, unless he's on such a wedge that they can't justify him not playing every week?

Nasty bombastic little so and so is our Richie. Looks like he's off to join the rest of the deadwood at Richard Agars Trinity revolution if he gets the flick from the Bakers.

Also possible that he's asked to leave as he wants to play every week? Quite likely a mutually agreeable move.

Could still do a good job for someone. Great personality on the field, which probably adds to his value. Have Widnes got a decent fullback for next year? Them or Wakey might be likely suitors. Maybe Broncos or Bradford, even?

Hmm, a strange one to be sure. My boss is a Cas fan and during a recent club pow-wow with Basil he did say that Basil is looking more long term at Cas than just next season, bringing youth through etc, thought he was getting his excuses in early at the time like.

Maybe 'mere squad player' is a bit strong, what I meant is back up player behind Owen.
Seriously Owen is now much better than Mathers at full back, and age is on his side and he can only get better in what I think is his strongest position, most Cas fans on here want Owen instead of Mathers at 1.
It's not just Mathers neither, Mcgoldrick and Hudson in my opinion will fall down the pecking order as well.

Mathers the scapegoat

A couple of props? They lost all the contracted props at the club and had to bring in 2 on loan! (Huby, Emmitt, Walker & Jackson)

As for Mathers, too expensive to be a squad players and outside of the first 6 games last season he was rubbish too so not worth the money on another level.

Full back depth isn't too bad either because there's Owen, McGoldrick (ergh), Youngquest and Griffin.

on the subject of past players Poor old tansey is yet to find a club.

Hate to go against the grain - but Mathers is hardly SL standard these days - he now so slow he makes Lee Smith look like Bolt. The injury did for him in much the same way it did for Diskin.

As for Owen - this is a going to end in tears - he does a "Bai" on a regular basis.

Heading for the championship. Cougar Park for Richie