I think at full strength our bench will be 2 props, 1 back row and 1 hooker. This would allow 4 prop subs, 2 back row subs, 1 hooker sub with 1 still to spare.

Trent Merrin averaged 66 minutes game time in the NRL in 2016, this was lower in 2017 and 2018 but at 29 and with the lower intensity of Super League, he should be playing long minutes if not the full 80, as will Stevie Ward.

Ward doing 80 mins? Maybe over the course of a full season.

With Merrin (who really should play back row IMO), Eard, Ferres, Smith, Ablett, JJB... maybe now Sutcliffe and Trout in the mix (Donaldson?)... Cuthbo and Peteru arguably more BR than props... We only have Singleton and Crosby, plus Oledszki and Holroyd as real props for me. We’ve lost Garbutt don’t forget.
The longer minutes argument won’t drastically alter our need for, and lack of, real metre-making front rowers.
We have had one lanky prop which worked (Peacock). Even he wasn’t a great impact prop but more of a warrior of attrition. Neither Singleton nor Crosby are in that league.
How we have arrived at having IMHO about 8 back rowers and two workman props is beyond me. Being mobile can’t be an asset if you’re on the back foot constantly and losing the energy battle. We have a lightweight hooker with a game made for broken play, which the pack has been unable to provide, so he’s wasted too.
Hall also used to take a big load off the pack early in sets.

In an ideal world I want a big front rowers too, and still think one will come in. However, the position described above, Wigan won the GF last year with hardly anything great in the prop roles. I look at the Cas squad, and again, out and out props are very much on the low side.

As long as the rest of the side are playing above themselves, ala Wigan last year, it can be managed. This is where the coach comes in.

Both Teams mentioned still get more impact from their props throw in Wakey Wire & ST'S that puts us way behind.

I think you put too much emphasis on the coach.

Ormondroyd started at prop for Featherstone today, although hopefully we won’t be seeing him play for Leeds as IMO he’s our 8th choice prop.

Josh Walters narrowly missed out on getting mom in the Twitter vote collecting 31% of the vote.

Maybe Walters has found his level, but was not the Fev side pretty much a second string fringe player side.

Agreed, Walters is a Championship player, so is Ormondroyd.

its ok saying we need to sign a prop but realistically who is available? i'd rather see us struggle this year and then use the cash generated by players coming off contract to get a quality guy rather than take a punt on someone new that we will tie on a 3 year contract and them not be up to scratch
we are expecting a full clear out which realistically can't happen in one off season but its a great chance for the fringe squad players to try and up their game to earn a new contract

I agree.

All quality players will now be tied down. Should one suddenly become available it is likely because we have thrown a load of money at it which we don't appear to have or something has happened between player and club which should raise questions about whether we want them.

On that basis I suspect we are done for notable signings. Donaldson may come in but I don't count him as notable.

We shouldn't lose track of the progress made on this off season and of they all settle well we have a clear view of what needs to be done this time next year.

Bit of a mix, we (Fev) are still waiting for the 3 Papua New Guinea imports and have the likes of Delaney, Wheeldon etc out injured.

There was talk about Fev possibly taking 2 Leeds players on season-long loan and maybe Walters & Ormondroyd playing today suggests it might be those two. Judging from this forum that would make sense to most on here though from a Fev point of view it's the spine where we need cover -we are short at full back, wing, and hooker, and also cover at half back. But I can't see Golding or any of the Briscoe/Handley/Newman trio being released on season-long loan, nor McLelland or Corey Johnson.

I think we will use more Leeds players this year if they are made available on DR, in particular I think whoever doesn't start at 5 for Leeds out of Handley/Briscoe/Newman will be very welcome on a regular basis at Fev.