Got to be a couple of the bigger earners who will leave so i would guess at Smith/Puletua.That should free up a big chunk of cap.

Come on, there's no such thing as talking to journalist in "absolute secrecy" - if you say anything to a journalist you are doing it quite deliberately for a purpose.

You're not wrong.

I don't know the details of Barkers chat with MK, but if it was anything like mine I was told in no uncertain terms if this was spilled it would be the last bit of info we'd hear from the club.

"Cards are well and truly being kept close to his chest"

from the evidence on here, facing outwards

The Lurker - Down Under - Has written this Locke off to England?
[iClassy Warriors fullback Kevin Locke finally made it back onto the field last weekend - but could be lost to big-spending English club Salford. The cashed-up Reds are keen to sign Locke and may get their way, with the Warriors committed to keeping high-priced Englishman Sam Tomkins in the fullback spot. Locke returned from a knee injury he sustained in the World Cup in the NSW Cup and will push for a wing spot at the Kiwi club in coming weeks. But Locke, one of the best attacking fullbacks in rugby league, would be wasted on the flank and the Warriors could release him as they are keen to bolster their struggling forward pack with a few big names. [/i

I would guess it was written before Mr B went to print.

Wanted: Marshall. Signed: Platt.

Wanted: Locke. Signed: ????

Nobody on this side of the world has said anything, all names mentioned have come from down under.

I don't think a single source over here has confirmed a name, as of yet.

Barker has, this was his tweet earlierhe confirmed Locke but said do not use it - I did not - only come out since NZ sources acted on MEN speculation

Just need to get him to do something inappropriate to an animal then.

Why do some people on here feel the need to defend every single decision or action the Doc makes?

Fair enough.

Probably didn't want to miss out on the "scoop" as he seems to have had the story from the start.

Who's defending him? I'm just telling you that there has been a stark change in his approach to discussing potential signings.

At the end of the day if you tell a journo some delicate info and he runs with it and the deals falls through then you've got nobody to blame but yourself.

I make a suggestion it may have been a bad idea to tell Barker in confidence if he wanted to keep the story quiet during this delicate stage. . . and the Doc is then labelled by some as a media manipulating genius.

I'm pretty sure knowing Marwan's ways that had he wanted the story to break he would have done it himself on twitter.

Ah I see. Whilst I have no doubts he knows how to play up to the media, he is definitely no manipulating genius. He wants this kept under wraps more than anyone, it's a major coup and would send a serious signal of intent out.

As we all know, salary cap issues would mean players leaving so whilst it's exciting to discuss potential arrivals you must respect those who may be told their leaving or needed to leave.