I think Michael Dobson is exempt with playing for Wigan and Catalan prior to 2008 (or whatever the year is which means an overseas player is exempt).

Less sure if Tony Puletua would count, unsure what year is the line and when he joined Saints.

Pretty sure that Dobson isn't quota-exempt. Hull KR de-registered him when he was injured in 2011 to allow them to fit Willie Mason into the quota.

With Groat signing I'm expecting to hear that Rapira will be staying down under and that Puletua will be retiring. Can't see any other way we'll get under the quota.

How many are we allowed in the squad ?? I had 25 in my head. If that's right surely we have more than that, anybody know what the squad looks like for next year, haven't seen a full list..

TP definitely isnt exempt, given he joined in 2009, and the cut off was 2008.

Dobson has since been to Australia (twice) and thus doesnt qualify for any exemption.

Both are (and so is everyone else on the list I put forward) also non-fed trained, which is (currently) the only defined restriction on squads. Harrison Hanson is considered fed trained owing to the time he spent at Wigan before the age of 21.

The top 25 paid players count towards the salary cap redidiot, You can have as many players within a superleague squad as you like, but the top 25 of those players cant be paid any more than 1.65m combined. Saints currently have 38 squad members, 25 of which are considered within the cap.

I didn't think that mattered, but only on the basis I thought Aaron Heremaia is exempt after playing for Leigh in SL in 2005.

Thanks for that, it clears things in my head a bit. Although we still look to have too many players who must be on decent money. Not much chance of blooding any youngsters once again..

Blooding youngsters from the SRD Academy system seems to be the last thing on the Koukash/Harris list, whichever of them is the REAL Head Coach. Players billed last season as "Waiting in the Wings", haven't been given the chance and are being excluded by players of the same age and whose so called superior ability is questionable.

Who are these? I note Niall Evalds was chosen ahead of Francis Meli again at weekend.

Jon Ford, George Tyson, Alex Davidson, Gareth Owen. Not including any academy players who may move up, If we have any.

Ford in particular must feel aggrieved with the little opportunity hes had, considering he was an academy international.

Although not academy for me it bodes well that when it became apparent Smith wasn't who or what we hope he would be that Theo was given his chance and has carried on his fine performances.

I'd say next season with MCB, Theo, Griffin jnr, Groat, Walne x 2, Evalds, Tasi and Johnson we will have one of the younger squads in SL. What we needs around these young players is people they can look up too for guidance rather than balloons who destabilise the squad.

I think our squad for next season looks very good we could do with maybe 1 more player a little bit of beef say a prop or Second rower!

Have said it many times but I still say we could do worse than look at Olsi Krasniqi from London, more of an old style prop being heavy but not overly tall.

Would learn from Morley and I'd suspect turn into a good squad member.

Underwhelming is an understatement.

I think im right in saying you need 7 home grown players. Theo, Walnex2 and Evalds. I assume Ford will be in the squad. Still leaves us short, i think Owen and davidsons contract is up this year according to the contracts thread... Unless as usual ive missed something, like does walton count now hes back?

? Luke Menzies
Kyle Amor didn't start playing professional RL until he was 22- then despite being bought by Leeds he spent two seasons playing Championship RL with Whitehaven , then two seasons playing for Wakefield unremarkably . then in 2013 5 years into his career he had a storming season playing his 3rd season with Wakey , and is now one of Saints chief battering rams .
Chris Hill spent 6 seasons , playing various positions in Leigh's squad , after 5 years he became a regular fixture at Prop for Leigh in their Northern Rail Cup winning year , and ' got noticed ' by Warrington
Alex Walmsley - Batley , got Noticed by Saints

Hill , Walmsley & Amor are reputedly 3 of the best English Front row forwards playing in SL and non came through an orthodox SL academy structure.



so 2 points ;-
Props , take time to mature
some talent does get overlooked , more SL sides appear to be noticing Championship Players , especially forwards ,
they obviously see some potential , that may flourish given a full time training environment , and it's pretty low risk - as opposed to flying in overseas forwards who may not settle or be half as good as they think they are ..
You're right he deserves his chance and it would make a great good news story if he made SL level , some players have the talent & waste it ..some might just need the right time - right place .