Peter Smith has just posted an interview saying what we are not linked with Shannon Boyd and we won’t be. Also we might not make signings before February! Seems that Martins Passport is holding things up aswell. What British player could we go for though? I would say Greenwood is the only one really that we could realistically get and is good enough.

I’d rather start the year with the squad we have and see which NRL players become available mid season

I agree someone HG like Greenwood to compete with Martin, Mellor, Ward etc in the back row now Merrin is gone would be decent.
Save the current OS spot for a utility back, someone who can give us some real explosive presence either at wing or centre.
I think with Ava, Prior, Cuthbertson, Crosby, Oledzki and some of the development lads, we’re probably ok for props now. Look to add again once Cuthbertson’s deal expires.

I thought Merrin was only leaving should we have a replacement lined up. Prior is not Merrins replacement. It appears Merrins timing has left us in a difficult position

Greenwood won't come cheap and it might mean if a marquee player comes available we won't have enough cap space.

We could do with Crosby fit for the start of the year ideally - if nothing else to assess whether he's a keeper or not.

I do think we lack punch in the middle; Holroyd is our best prospect in that regard but he's very young and coming back of several injuries (already).

Our back three is much more mobile than last year (which is good) but they're not impact players.

We look light on a wing still for me, and that's an area we're arguably weakest with the juniors too. We have the pack conveyor belt almost sorted for now, and a couple of lads who'll put some pressure on Walker, but a couple of injuries in the back line and we'll look thin quickly.

Will also be interesting to see the team perform in terms of Agar's input: this is much more his team now than the one he inherited, playing his way and so it's a big year for him as coach in 2020 too.

Very good post. Agree completely

Same agent as James Graham

He is actually Agar's own agent also.

I think Agar has been very open and honest about most transfer things, and I appreciate this new stance from the club. They said Merrin might be going even though it was later than anticipated and even said they were in for Prior.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if we had already got someone lined up in Aus, but just waiting on the passport situation. Hopefully we'll find out who in the new year.

In terms of an non-overseas back, who is available?>?

Just on this, coaching ability aside (and we'll see how he gets on this season) I've been really impressed with how Agar has gone about his business, seems open and honest, not afraid to criticise players when it's needed and seems a good guy. I really hope he can prove some of the doubters wrong and gets the team firing next year.

I still see his time in charge as coach as a short-ish term thing. He's here to steady the ship. put some processes in place, sort recruitment out and handle this massive transition and clearout.
Whether he's the right man to take us to the top again I'm not so sure - time will tell.
What does seem clear is that he's done a very good job with what he inherited, and most of us would agree the club is moving forward. I particularly like how he isn't afraid to identify weaknesses in the squad even if it puts someone's nose out of joint.