I've not seen Crossley play, so I'll take the judgement of the club that he can't be ready yet for week in week out punishment of playing SL in the front row. Im sure the club would love him to hit the ground running like that, like Fielden and Sam did, but IMHO that is very much the exception with SL props.

Crossley and our other prospects in the front row need to be put in when ready, not just because we've sold Sam before we wanted to and the replacement list was slim pickings.

Then if Sculthorpe was the only option, and the best of a bad bunch, then why a 2 year contract?

That I dont know. And for the record Im also not happy with this signing either, but I think we need to understand a bit where the thinking is coming from. I'm certain selling Sam was on no-ones wish list for this autumn, the kids in the front row are not yet ready and last seasons big problem was the backs. So we set our recruitment out to solve that, Kearney, Walker, Reardon, but then find we need another prop at a late stage.

King, feather, Thackray would all have been derided on here also if we'd signed them instead of Sculthorpe (just for different reasons). And they might have all insisted on a 2 year deal also.

Maybe some other cluboffered Sculthorpe the same deal we have but we needed to match the number of years offered elsewhere before he would sign for us? (maybe we did originally offer a 1 year deal??) a player who is 30 probably wouldn't come for just a 1 year deal.

Updated with Sculthorpes signing..

For the record, I have always rated him, and when he was at Cas he had a point to prove, and was IMO one of the best props that year. He has a point to prove with us too.

IMHO he has similar qualities as Solomona (not just the blubber), but he is creative, brilliant offloader, can kick, has the mongrel about him and probably just as frustrating to watch at times.

It would not surprise me if he will turn into our best signing of the season.


I do like that of our signings, Kearney, Reardo and Scully all have a point to prove, and will be motivated for a big year. It is about time we had some players look interested!

1. Halley
2. Walker
3. Sykes
4. Nero
5. Reardon
6. Kearney
7. Deacon
8. Scruton
9. L'Estrange
10. Lynch
11. Menzies
12. Langley
13. Donaldson

14. Godwin
15. Hall
16. Sculthorpe
17. Whitehead

Bit early for Donno to be starting 13 for a whole season imo, where's Koppy aswell?

Updated with the 2 Burgess extensions

Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes/Platt
Nero/Crookes
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
Godwin
Scruton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

L'Estrange
Kopzcak
Sculthorpe
Worrincy/Donno/Whitehead/Olbison

Sykes to cover halves, we also have Hyde as extra abck up. Starting to take shape and doesn't look too shabby imo. If we get Orford I predict 5-7th, with Deacon I predict 6th-9th. Still think we need another threequarter, but if there's none available half-back would be the next place to improve.

I wonder why most times i update this thread many of you feel the need to list a potential starting 13 and bench line up!

Whats wrong with that. If you don't want us to ruin your perfect thread then you should have asked.

my main concern at the moment is that for another year we've over 6 players OOC

not sure if thats such a big issue this time round. menzies will likely retire. sykes,nero,kopczak,sheriffe,langley and worrincy will be playing for a contract and this should give them the necessary impetus to improve. If they dont we're in a position to strengthen further next year. If they do improve we can give them extensions

This may seem a bit left field but a recent article had me confused & got me thinking! The only conclusion was that Nero may be leaving & opting out of final year of contract to join another club like Deacs just done or he somehow comes off quota with Italian passport?. After reading an article, the agent for Brett Kearney is also agent for Chris Walker. He is convinced both joining club after speaking to Bulls very recently! See for yourselves bit.ly/1qpgE6

This may seem a bit left field but a recent article had me confused & got me thinking! The only conclusion was that Nero may be leaving & opting out of final year of contract to join another club like Deacs just done or he somehow comes off quota with Italian passport?. After reading an article, the agent for Brett Kearney is also agent for Chris Walker. He is convinced both joining club after speaking to Bulls very recently! See for yourselves bit.ly/1qpgE6