[quote="ArthurClues":1esj737j]I agree, but contractually we have to be careful. In a perfect world we might get Lafai (who is in the last year of his contract) or even Ravalawa at St George, but we have to keep an eye on next year and beyond. Do we really want to be stuck with more quota three quarters than we can fit into our starting team for 26, when most fans would acknowledge the pack and potentially half back will also need strengthening. If Blease can come up with a one season deal that's almost like for like I will doff my hat.[/quote:1esj737j] I think one or both of Lisone and Frawley will be gone end of this season

[quote="cheekydiddles":1v5c83bn]I think one or both of Lisone and Frawley will be gone end of this season[/quote:1v5c83bn] I hope that these 2 players prove me wrong this season,But I'd get rid of both of these players as they're a total waste of quota spots Frawley has a very limited skillset for an overseas half back (Sneyd is miles better by comparison to UK players) Jack Sinfield is also waiting in the wings,But IMO he needs a full season playing at a top club in the Championship in 2025 to help his development, rather than getting the odd game for Leeds. Although whilst considering overseas half backs, I've always thought that Jackson Hastings would eventually sign for us,Perhaps in 2026? Lisone is nothing more than a flat track bully and I would drive him to the airport tomorrow. "IF" he gets another contract then i will be astounded as he's a total waste of quota and cap space

Unless we see a lot more from them this year I'd agree on Frawley and Lisone. Neither of them fit the bill for a top 4 club. In Frawley's case he might go better with more structure, but he is so very limited and lacking in dynamism. Lisone is just a very poor quality quota player. I don't agree with not moving to replace Sivo. We won't be able to exactly replace him, but he would have been one of our highest paid players, which would reflect his importance to Arthur's gameplan. Being without a big presence like that for the odd game from the usual injuries is one thing, but nobody else in the squad can do what Sivo would have brought alongside Hall. Arthur may only be here for this season, maybe next. He'll be desperate for us to give the comp as good a shake as we can this year. Deciding not to replace a marquee player is not supporting him to do that. Nor is it - IMO - sending a clear message to fans and the rest of the league that we now mean business. Not bringing in a high quality replacement says that for all the talk we're still content to muddle through. I understand the contractual issues etc, but we've seemingly drawn a line in the sand regarding mediocrity. Not sure why Roberts/Hooley got brought up. Smith didn't sign them to be starters. He signed them to add depth, which was woefully lacking when he arrived. Its not Roberts' fault that he ended up playing out of position for the one-man injury crisis that was Fusitu'a. Or that he wasn't a star - he wasn't expected to be. We don't need those sorts of signings now as we have a bunch of younger players ready or very nearly ready for a decent crack at first team. To be fair to Smith, we had no depth at all when he arrived.

[quote="Once were Loiners":3j3rnip5]Unless we see a lot more from them this year I'd agree on Frawley and Lisone. Neither of them fit the bill for a top 4 club. In Frawley's case he might go better with more structure, but he is so very limited and lacking in dynamism. Lisone is just a very poor quality quota player. I don't agree with not moving to replace Sivo. We won't be able to exactly replace him, but he would have been one of our highest paid players, which would reflect his importance to Arthur's gameplan. Being without a big presence like that for the odd game from the usual injuries is one thing, but nobody else in the squad can do what Sivo would have brought alongside Hall. Arthur may only be here for this season, maybe next. He'll be desperate for us to give the comp as good a shake as we can this year. Deciding not to replace a marquee player is not supporting him to do that. Nor is it - IMO - sending a clear message to fans and the rest of the league that we now mean business. Not bringing in a high quality replacement says that for all the talk we're still content to muddle through. I understand the contractual issues etc, but we've seemingly drawn a line in the sand regarding mediocrity. Not sure why Roberts/Hooley got brought up. Smith didn't sign them to be starters. He signed them to add depth, which was woefully lacking when he arrived. Its not Roberts' fault that he ended up playing out of position for the one-man injury crisis that was Fusitu'a. Or that he wasn't a star - he wasn't expected to be. We don't need those sorts of signings now as we have a bunch of younger players ready or very nearly ready for a decent crack at first team. To be fair to Smith, we had no depth at all when he arrived.[/quote:3j3rnip5] I agree with all of that, but given that it now seems that Salford are spared, who would you sign?

You don't sign players to "send a message". You sign them to improve the team. If someone fits that bill, and if the budget can be made available (not a sure thing given how much money the club loses, this is going to be £150/£200k/whatever over the planned spend) then yes definitely go out and get them.

I think you do need to send a message sometimes - to fans, sponsors, and at this point in time, Brad Arthur. What signal does it send him if he's asked to 'make do' without one of the marquee players he personally went after? It certainly doesn't tell him that the cub is backing him to the utmost. I do agree entirely that a replacement should strengthen the side - we're talking about replacing one of our highest earners. Any replacement has to be the sort of player that can make an impact. AC - I've no idea who we should go for. Someone mentioned Ravalawa. He'd be the closest straight swap, albeit a bit of a downgrade on Sivo from what I've seen. But would he come for one season? Would we want him to do that? Perhaps a better bet would be to look round the Qld or NSW Cup and see if there's a big winger that would be interested if it gave them exposure at a higher level. Or maybe not a winger at all. Either way its a big challenge to get anyone at this stage of the season. Perhaps the best thing of all to do is wait and see if someone falls out of favour in the NRL who might be willing to come over for a chunk of one season?

I suspect you're manufacturing a point of conflict where none is likely to exist. Not replacing an injured player isn't a failure to support the coach and it'd be remarkable were Brad to read it as such. Like every coach he can't always have what he wants. There's also the question of how we might go about this without a Salford dispensation on cap and quota. We could perhaps deregister sivo but we could then be in the territory of him rehabbing at our expense while looking for another club. Not saying he would but it would seem possible.

[quote="Clearwing":3hvjx9ty]I suspect you're manufacturing a point of conflict where none is likely to exist. Not replacing an injured player isn't a failure to support the coach and it'd be remarkable were Brad to read it as such. Like every coach he can't always have what he wants. There's also the question of how we might go about this without a Salford dispensation on cap and quota. We could perhaps deregister sivo but we could then be in the territory of him rehabbing at our expense while looking for another club. Not saying he would but it would seem possible.[/quote:3hvjx9ty] Deregistering for the season in these circumstances is fairly standard, and has no bearing on contractual status. I'd be amazed if the players don't see it that way too.

[imgur][/imgur][quote="Clearwing":1rih09cm]I suspect you're manufacturing a point of conflict where none is likely to exist. Not replacing an injured player isn't a failure to support the coach and it'd be remarkable were Brad to read it as such. Like every coach he can't always have what he wants. There's also the question of how we might go about this without a Salford dispensation on cap and quota. We could perhaps deregister sivo but we could then be in the territory of him rehabbing at our expense while looking for another club. Not saying he would but it would seem possible.[/quote:1rih09cm] Sivo has a three year contract so unless he actually wants to leave he'll be staying and hopefully playing next year. We already know that the we can spend Sivo’s cap allowance (150k) on another player. What we don't know is whether the rules will allow us to temporarily remove Sivo from the quota and bring in another quota player. Whatever we are allowed to do it will be a tricky balancing act in terms of A) Not running into cap problems in 26 and B) Managing quota spots (if he can be removed) ahead of Sivo’s return.

There is of course a third issue here too, do we actually have another 150k+ to spend on a player? If Sivo is paid by insurance then its fine, but otherwise its a cost the club will not have budgeted for.

[quote="batleyrhino":1mbtgf5r]There is of course a third issue here too, do we actually have another 150k+ to spend on a player? If Sivo is paid by insurance then its fine, but otherwise its a cost the club will not have budgeted for.[/quote:1mbtgf5r] Yep. I've never doubted the boards ambition, but if they do stump up the cash to bring in another player it would surely silence those who do.

[quote="ArthurClues":3hitra9y]Yep. I've never doubted the boards ambition, but if they do stump up the cash to bring in another player it would surely silence those who do.[/quote:3hitra9y] And put 50p a pint on their Tetleys.

I don't think it's worthwhile jumping the gun to replace Sivo. The silver lining to his injury is that at present, we can easily accommodate his absence. It would make far more sense to get into the season, and see what other positions we come short in due to injury. If we lose a back-rower for instance, I'd rather have a rainy day fund for that spot that getting a wing, when we've actually got decent cover there. I think the cap is 'dynamic', meaning it is the cumulative spend over a season, rather than any one week's total wage bill. It might therefore be more enticing for a decent NRL player to come over for a 6 month stint half way through the season for £150k, rather than a full season for the same amount.

Anyone know if there's a deadline in terms of de-registering a player?

[quote="exiledrhino":yeo2h2xf]I don't think it's worthwhile jumping the gun to replace Sivo. The silver lining to his injury is that at present, we can easily accommodate his absence. [/quote:yeo2h2xf] I`m not so sure that`s the case as presumably the team have been trained to use the battering ram methods of Hall and Sivo. We don`t have that luxury with the likes of Handley or Lumb. So we either change our pre season methods to accommodate a slightly different approach or we look to get someone, know idea who to replicate Sivo`s skillset.

[quote="batleyrhino":3hhm9dql]There is of course a third issue here too, do we actually have another 150k+ to spend on a player? If Sivo is paid by insurance then its fine, but otherwise its a cost the club will not have budgeted for.[/quote:3hhm9dql] I can't imagine there's an insurance policy covering professional rugby players when they get injured because so many get injured that the premium would be huge. It would probably cost 30% of your salary base so wouldn't be worth it for either party as would just be pound swapping. It's not like insuring a dancer's feet for an unexpected freak event. Rugby players get injured all the time and it's unfortunately a business risk. That said, the fact that Leeds appeared to be monitoring the Salford situation for dispensations suggests that we can find the money if required.

We found big money for transfers last year. I don't think that will be the limiting factor. The only issue that really matters is whether there's someone we can get who would materially improve the side - whether a direct replacement for Sivo or not. I've no problem with not spending money for its own sake, but if Sivo wasn't a winger would we even be having this conversation? Some of us think Sivo was going to be central to the gameplan, not just another winger. Not thinking seriously about replacing him seems to suggest we're not going all out this season. I'm absolutely fine if the coach makes that choice BTW.

This vacancy could be a good opportunity to sign a quota player in a position that needs strengthening longer-term, e.g. an explosive second row or centre. Then we keep the player for next season with Lisone making way and signing/developing a non-quota prop, and a fit-again Sivo joins the team in Ryan Hall's vacated wing spot.

We have Handley to play wing and Connor to play centre then academy prospects to cover those. Not ideal obviously but it's not bad. I'd rather wait and look for an early chance at a lisone or frawley replacement as neither has done enough so far to warrant staying. If Newman breaks down for a long spell we might be in trouble.

I really liked the look of Ned McCormack, so the Sivo injury likely knocks him up the pecking order when there are backs injuries. Max Simpson was also very highly rated and Lumb hasn't disappointed when selected. It gives them three players more of a look in. Sivo was the big X factor / marque signing though and so I would like us to sign an x actor player at some stage this season whether that be a 2nd row or half back etc., simply to give us a push for the back end of the season. Not signing an x factor player certainly weakens us.

Whichever way you look at it and whatever the club decide to do... losing Sivo for the season is a huge huge blow... it really is. His ability would and could have made the difference between a win and a loss at times this coming season.. severely weakens our attack.

[quote="HucknallLoiner":3cax52f6]I can't imagine there's an insurance policy covering professional rugby players when they get injured because so many get injured that the premium would be huge.[/quote:3cax52f6] Plenty of Sports Insurers out there for Professional and Elite Sports, including rugby players .

[quote="Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino":2tt9gw29]Bleases interview he states that as Sivo hasn't played a game in the league they don't even have to submit paperwork for him to be removed from the "Live" cap.Its the dispensation possibilities of the quota Leeds are currently exploring but hasn't heard anything back from the Super league admins.Hopefully Blease has something in his little black book that he can put together.I'd rather us hold fire and bring in quality than filling a space so we may have to wait and see if there's anyone being pushed out / not getting game time elsewhere.Reckon we'll still get that email from gawwy saying were up to the cap though, its tradition.[/quote:2tt9gw29] He hasn't played and isn't going to play this season. He's removed completely from the cap. With regard to the quota, there is no defensible position other than to remove him for the season.