Jim - I'd argue that you always need more props than 2nd rows, just because good sides tend to play 4, sometimes 5, every week. Contrast that with 2nd rows where you might go with 2, perhaps 3. Like you I think we'd benefit from a big second row, but I still think the priority has to be a couple of props.

The order of priority 'for mine' is 2 props that fit position s 1/2 and 3 in the front row rotation, a 7 to replace frawley and then a second row with a point of difference. If we can't get the latter that we can always use that as a reason to explain why 'the project it's still ongoing hence why we finished 8th.

Don’t say for mine, don’t say for mine.

I would have a modest wager that in 2 years time Littlewood could be the second row with a point of difference you are looking for.

Again I think it depends who is available, at what price.

If we are going to have a tilt at the title seriously next year, and we should be, we can't afford too many holes in the first 17.

I can see us trying to sign Eseh plus an Oledski-level starting prop, which for me would be a significant upgrade on the front row.

With the retirement of Donaldson and fitness issues with Gannon and Bentley, I think if Martin leaves we will replace him like-for-like with an OS quota second row (we just need a different type).

We still have plenty of risks in this squad going into next season and there's only so much Blease can do. But there are opportunities too with the hopeful return of Simpson, Gannon, Hudson to full fitness and some of the younger lads will improve with another proper pre-season.

It looks very much like Martin, will become an off quota player next year, due to changes in RFL rules. That would tip the balance for me in terms of keeping him. Would allow us to target two NRL props and still have the best kicker in SL. Of course this would also make Rhyse more attractive to other suitors.

It all depends on how much money he’s been offered elsewhere. I wouldn’t break the bank for him, although he’s a very solid player.

I see where you’re coming from but I would be very surprised if we sign 2 more senior props, meaning it likely we would drop Lisone and Sangare out of the match day 17. I’m not convinced that would be the most balanced way to develop the squad personally.

Again I don’t really mind whether it’s 2 props or 1 prop and a second row, what I am bothered about is that we sign quality not quantity.

[code][/code]
I'm not sure if Holroyd or Sangare deserve to be in the match day 17. Well, actually I'm sure Sangare doesn't and Holroyd is so rarely in a position to be picked, it amounts to the same. I wouldn’t want to break the bank for Rhyse but not sure we'd have to.

Sangare, the French Chris Feather.

More of a Feather duster!

In fantasy world I'd get two aggressive props, a powerful second row and keep Martin. Would not be upset at all to lose Donaldson, Bentley, Sangare, Lisone and Goudemand to make room. I know people talk about Bentley's strengths, but they will only really work if he's part of a big pack, as he was at Sts, and I'd rather keep Martin if have the choice. The others listed just aren't good enough for the first 17.

Some others need to be on notice. Holroyd for one, although its easy to forget that despite being around for a while he really hasn't played a lot. But he needs to show he can get to a decent standard and stay there. I'm particularly disappointed by his lack of impact with the ball. He's massive, and yet like so many of our forwards he gets stopped dead in the tackle.

Another one, who I'll take stick for, is Cam Smith. Making a lot of tackles doesn't make up for being neither a good link man or a battering ram forward, which is what good sides have in their 13. Hopefully a new coach can find a way to make him work, because in too many games he looks like a Championship player.

No point judging many in our current squad especially the new signings until we gave a new head coach, lets see how the likes of Frawley Sangare and a fair few others go with a proper coach. Bar about 3 players the whole side gas been shocking all season, and thats why we are currently coach less

I get that, but while some issues such as linespeed can be fixed by a different approach, lack of size and power is so fundamental you cannot fix it with just telling players to run harder. Someone like Sangare or Holroyd may be a much better player under a different coach, but no amount of coaching will let Donaldson, Goudemand, Bentley or McDonnell to break tackles or make a lot of yards post contact.

I think everyone agrees on what the pack needs. It's just going to be a case of who is available and can/ are we willing to pay for it.

A backrow of Bentley /Gannon / Mcdonnell/ Ruan / looks less of an issue if we can add some real power to the front row and fix the defence issues/ RS game plan

Wasn’t there talk a couple of months back about that prop Josh papalii ffrom the raiders being close to completion or does that now depend on if new coach wants him ?

Last I read in the Aussie media was that he was doing another year at Canberra in 2025 and then retiring