By some rough salary cap maths I reckon we have space for one more (starting 13) signing, For me it has to go on a back rower, we still look light there to me, Fitzgibbon could well suffer an injury recurrence and Russell hasn't got a great pedigree (so far). I think going in to the season with those two and Holroyd is a risk.

In terms of props, Vaughan & Yates starting with Musgrove, Harrision and Philbin coming off the bench looks 'ok' but I agree having someone who could cause some disruption in the opposition defence would be useful. If I was playing Fantasy Super League I'd swap out Musgrove for another NRL prop - but I can't see it happening and I don't think we have the cap space to do both (unless the salary dispensations mentioned earlier do come off, but seems to have gone quiet on that front).

I would argue we haven’t lost with Bateman, him only being on loan.
His inclusion displaced Holroyd, who will be coming back matured an hungry to disprove Wire’s decision to drop him for Bateman.
Fitzgibbon fit is a greater presence than Nicholson. We still have Currie too.
And with the academy lads pushing themselves on the fringes, backrow is one area Wire really has no weaknesses.

Re: Bateman, I was considering the strength of the squad as 2024 ended vs the projected squad for the start of 2025. Bateman was in the former, but won't be in the latter. Hence a loss. His performances really improved over the final weeks. But I like Holroyd and hope he continues his development.

If the squad numbers are anything to go by it looks like Currie and Fitzgibbon in the 2nd row with Yates at loose forward.

If Fitzgibbon can stay fit I think that's a pretty strong back row. Let's hope his shoulder is in full working order going into 2025.

I also like Holroyd, would just like to see him pile on some bulk asap as he's pretty fearless and is going to take some knocks.

Russell, we'll wait and see but using a quota spot on a player with his record still leaves me a little surprised.

I believe Fitzgibbon's surgery went as well as could be expected, fingers crossed he stays fit as he's an excellent second row. Also hope Holroyd has been bulking up a little as he's a real quality player IMO.

Fitzgibbon, who has a history of shoulder problems, underwent surgery that is believed to have uncovered and corrected an underlying issue, so the hope within the club is that he will be able to play a full part in 2025.