Might open the door for Warrington to pay a higher figure.
£50000 does seem more realistic but maybe 30k more from Wire will make Pearson happier.

Think the key is whether leeds think Westerman is the right man. Got 100k for finishing top plus will have done well out of wembley, grand final and made a £1 million profit last year. Arguing over £20k or £50k is basically peanuts. I reckon hull fc need to sell him because they have the following 12 back row options: ellis, minichello, Pritchard, Manu, hadley, washbrook, downs, fash, turgut, whiting, Abdull, Thompson. Ellis may play prop next year but still overloaded with salary and options, Westerman must be off somewhere

JJB will be back next year if at all possible. He's also mentioned playing in the WCC, which would mean almost being fit for the start of the season.

Yes I saw a video of him being interviewed in the team hotel before the GF and he certainly spoke like a guy fully expecting to be back playing in 2016. Hopefully sooner than the original May/June date first feared.

Also Sutcliffe's progress seems to be going well so hopefull he's ready in time for the start of SL. Not heard a timeline given for Stevie Ward yet. Isn't a knee reconstruction usually around a 9-monther which could see him not appear until perhaps June?

Hooker and wide running back row forward with good hands. Said this earlier in the season and not changed my mind. Fact that the club is looking at Westerman seems to think they see it as a priority as well.
A hooker is a no brainier, I would prefer to see two real hookers as they take a lot of punishment. Shame our academy haven't produce one of any useable quality
since Matt Diskin.

I also see no reason to assume the team will decline (although technically unless we win everything again we will have

. There is some real character in the remaining players and I believe with Sinny and JP gone there will be a queue of guys who will step up. Mags, Stevie Ward, Watkins, our MOS full back?

JJB told me he is playing on next year.

Westerman isn't a second row. He's a loose forward. To be honest if we sign him, it means Sutcliffe is definitely our 6. It's a shame really because i think we'd be better with Sutty at loose. And Widdop at 6

That d be great, but widdop won't give up on his NRL career that early. What I can't understand is why we've apparently signed brierly but sent him back to Leigh on loan. We need him next season to be learning of mags n cover our halves.

I can't understand why we would sign him at all

Wasn't westerman quite a good goal kicker at cas? Could help solve that problem. Neither Sutcliffe or hardaker fill you with confidence in front of the sticks!

Heard strong rumours last night that the new hooker will be Glen Butriss from Canberra.

If the Brierley signing is true, which I doubt. I'd loan him to an average SL side like Cas or Warrington to see if he can handle the step up