So, protest time ?

Leeds fans from a Salford perspective I think the deal for Croft might be off - as surely GH would have got this deal done by now. Two challenges, the commute for Croft from Salford/does he want to come to Leeds and then the NRL Clause which GH has every right to push back on. In addition Salford will not sell without a replacement, both Austin and Cust are available, again no reason to delay on Salford's side. It wouldn't surprise me if Leeds end up signing Cust who's not wanted at Wigan.

Pretty sure Salford will sell with or without signing a replacement - by their own admission they need to.

If the Croft deal didn't happen I see zero point in signing someone like Cust.

The better option would be to wait until a few months into the season and look for a halfback who's not getting gametime in the NRL. There will be more than a few halfbacks who have signed for clubs who just won't get a look-in. Its all very well getting paid well, but if you sit in reserve grade too long your long-term worth will fall a lot. Not to mention a bit bruising to the ego.

If the desl to Leeds is off for Croft then Salford are screwed as there is nobody else going to pay the sort of fee we are offering. So they would be stuck with his salary, which they can’t afford.

I'd be surprised if it was off, 2023 season has only just finished, plenty of time to finalise and announce.

Wigan took a long time to announce Luke Thompson after the initial rumours started - it seemed to go quiet before becoming official. Is there any evidence, as opposed to speculation, as to why the Croft to Leeds deal is off?

Not specifically however from a few fans that live locally to the player there is a strong feeling that this deal might not happen. Even if Salford agree a fee with Leeds, the player has to agree his personal terms. Salford also have other players they can sell if needs be. The deficit is only 300k next year, Salford's attendances are up by 20% this year again and up by 92% since 2018.

But you’d have to find clubs willing to pay a fee for those players which isn’t easy.

And all would need to agree personal terms. Put multiple players on the market and the vultures really would be circling..

That said, I'm sure croft will have boxes he wants ticked - as will Leeds.

Morgan Smithies off to Canberra, makes sense with the amount of middles signings Wigan have made.

With Owen Farrell replacing him is the rumour