Ashton is a player I wouldn’t mind retaining and giving another year or so to develop. But, if someone else can offer him 1st choice FB and a reasonable contract... he’d be a solid signing for someone.

https://www.zerotackle.com/trent-merrin ... nos-38035/ If this is true i just hope he is committed to his deal.

https://www.zerotackle.com/trent-merrin ... nos-38035/ If this is true i just hope he is committed to his deal.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 8ea9f50424 Fox news in Oz saying that Penrith could be chipping in for some of Merrins wage as well.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 8ea9f50424 Fox news in Oz saying that Penrith could be chipping in for some of Merrins wage as well.

If true means that Taupau is definitely off. Merrin I think would be a good addition.
I am still a little concerned about carrying so many players under a fitness cloud though: you’d count Merrin in that, Lolohea, Hurrell, Ferres, Ward. Watkins still to come back from serious injury. If a player has structural problems that’s one thing: but a professional player should at least be match conditioned with no excuses IMO. I also think the squad needs to have a first class training attitude behind the scenes. Sinfield and Furner know what they’re doing but there are some risks in there.

Add Ikahihifo to that list too if the rumours are true. Woolford not happy with his fitness last year.

If its being correctly reported, it seems as though Merrin decided to stay at the Panthers, only to be met with a pretty lukewarm response including from the new coach, so he changed his mind again. So long as he's happy to commit to Leeds it shouldn't be an issue, but it does all tend to support my view that the Panthers must have initially let everyone know they were open to offers for him.

Trent Merrin confirmed, 4 yr deal https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2018/11/15/ ... e-signing/

Trent Merrin confirmed, 4 yr deal https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2018/11/15/ ... e-signing/

Pretty happy with this. Seems to be of a higher calibre than most players that come over. Let's hope he settles and stays for the length of his contract

Great signing - a leader who'll give us a lot round the park but have an important role off of it as a role model for the younger players as well as challenging some of those who have gone off the boil, even if it ends up being only for a couple of years. If we can just sign a prop I'll be happy.

Brilliant signing and a 4 year deal is commitment. One more forward please uncle Gary and Kev

We are starting to look pretty strong for next year if we can keep players fit:

1 = Walker
2 = Tom Briscoe
3 = Watkins
4 = Hurrell
5 = Handley
6 = Lolohea
7 = Myler
8 = Cuthbertson
9 = Parcell
10 = Singleton
11 = Ward
12 = JJB
13 = Merrin

14 = Sutcliffe
15 = Dwyer
16 = Peteru
18 = Ikahihifo (if the rumours are true)

Plus good rotational players like Oledzki / Ablett / Crosby.

I reckon McLelland will go out on loan at the start of the season. Maybe players such as ferres / Mullally may be moved on.

I think even with the signings made that's starting to look more like it! I'd swap Ward and Merrin around though, I think Ward needs to make the 13 position his own.

Don't think Ferres will be going anywhere I get the feeling he is quite well respected in our set up (made captain a few times last year)

I'm happy to go with Hanley/L Briscoe on the wings for next year, L Briscoe has looked better than his original spell but does need to sort his positioning and defence out.