You are allowed to backend contracts and pay players more the year after, so in reality you only need to keep around 20k free to sign someone mid season (to meet the minimum pay SL allow)

Dont understand the reputation of GH being cheap, JP Webb Buderus Ellis were all world class players that will have been on top wages

Although if we don't run a reserve side next year... (any word on that btw?)

Rangi Chase being a mentor to Hardaker now that's funny.

Hardaker and Chase in the same dressing room. Jesus!

We are certainly rolling the high-stakes dice.
Hardaker, Chase and Eden signed for 2017 (presuming the rumours are true). All have undoubted qualities, but also some major frailties.

I think Hardaker will be a major asset for whoever he signs for next year, the lad has bags of ability. If he does end up signing for Cas expect Powell to get the best out of him and we will see a return to the MOS form which will be a particularly hard pill to swallow for us Leeds fans.

Powell does get the best out of players and if he gets the best out of Zak, (if we are signing him) we will have the best fullback in the league. Even a 70% Zak will be a better option than Eden for me..... so i for one hope this rumor is true. Cas have an announcement at 12 today so maybe this is it.

Yep, 25 and coming into his prime too.

If he does go to Cas & Powell manages to get the best out of him that will be further evidence of GH's lack of foresight in not pulling out all the stops to bring Powell back as the Rhinos Head Coach.
GH doesn't often get the major decisions wrong but in that instance I'm afraid that he did.

If/when McDermott leaves us I'd imagine Powell will be the favourite for the gig. Would he return to HQ?

Agreed , but I don't think he could stay at Leeds now

Castleford's noon announcement is......"Castleford Tigers have signed Daniel Igbinedion from Oxford RL on a two year deal."

Hopefully not - this club and this competition is crying out for new ideas and new ways of doing things.