Yeah I know, only 3 games into this season but I would imagine there is going to be some really significant turnover in our squad at the end of this season. Likely outgoings presumably include Widdop, Austin, Inglis, Akauola, Clark J, Clark D (NRL possibly) and Hill (Leigh possibly) at least. That's a lot of experience and an equally large chunk of salary cap. Leaves Powell with a number of promising youngsters and plenty of current first teamers but plenty of gaps to fill too. It will be interesting to watch the comings and goings.

i was going to do a thread with the expiring contracts, to see whom people would like to keep or release,

Welease Gweg

Fitzpatrick has said that Widdop will be here next season and they have big plans for him.

I think Widdop, Inglis, J Clark and Sita will no doubt be gone, these alone will give significant room on the salary cap. I know what has been said about big plans for Widdop, but I can't see it.

Austin I have a sneaky suspicion may stay, finding two new half backs isn't easy, and if we can bring Trueman in and have Austin for a couple more years hopefully Dean will be able to stake a claim. 2 new half backs plus a hooker in the same offseason would be difficult to deliver...

Hill is a funny one, he's been better in the first few games of the year, he may fancy a move to Leigh at the end of his career, but props seem hard to find right now, maybe Powell would be tempted to keep hold of him?

Clark - I just wont entertain the possibility of him leaving!!!!

Is Jake Mamo off contract too? Always offers good versatility, but I can't help but think his place would be better used by Roebuck / Thewlis / ANO academy player.

In terms of incomings, Trueman would be a great signing if we can get Cas to part with him, Peter Mata'utia has been mentioned too, plays right centre so could be an option for replacing Inglis.

Hill would need a quality replacement in a difficult market and I still want a backrower with a bit more attacking threat, Powell usually uses Milner at 13 doesn't he? Maybe a smaller, harder working player like Hughes could fit that role...

If the reserves are to return we may see a couple of head scratching signings that no doubt fans will be up in arms about, but have been signed specifically with the reserves in mind - What's Matty Blythe up to these days?

I think it would be handy to know who is off contract at the end of the year. We do need to remember that in a salary cap sport you can't buy everyone. But otherwise blimey ... try and enjoy the season and support who is playing now. Don't wish your life away.

Really hope Austin isn't staying. He can go and be good for 10 matches somewhere else. Very poor for a while now.

Greg Inglis, Tom Lineham, Toby King, Blake Austin, Chris Hill, Jason Clark, Jake Mamo, Sitaleki Akauola, Danny Walker, Samy Kibula, Matty Ashton, Nathan Roebuck, Riley Dean, Eribe Doro.

Private security contractor in the middle east

I'd keep:-

Lineham (providing he behaves)
King
Hill
Mamo
Walker
Ashton
Roebuck
Dean
Doro

I didn't realise Dean was off contract.

Definites for me would be Ashton, King, Dean and Roebuck (last two shouldn't cost much for a couple of years). I just hope we don't end up in a contract battle for King. I don't want us tying him up for 5 years on marquee money, even if he has been the best SL centre for 12 months.

Maybe: Hill has been pretty solid this season and I'd be happy to keep him for a year on a sensible deal. Doro, Walker decent enough backup at the right price (no pun intended). Mamo might be a decent utility under Powell. He's not a first choice centre or winger but he has decent pace and footwork, and there aren't many backup players I can think of who could do any better. Again it's all about the cap space he'd be taking up.

Moving on: Lineham (pains me to say it, but I think Powell could get more out of a cheaper alternative who doesn't sit out a third of the season. Austin - just too expensive based on the returns, unless Powell could resurrect him. Inglis - he isn't here to stay and his wife will want the Aussie lifestyle back, unless her Cheshire horses and our golden barley fields have won her over.

A birthday party with a fly past by Wolfie?

Agree, and his charge sheet means the bans will be north of 3 games. Pity, as he's better than Charnley.

King
Mamo
Sita
Walker
Ashton
Roebuck
Dean
Doro

Austin if there's no alternative ready to be 1st choice.

Said it before, I don't mind Sita and would take a punt on him with a new coach. If Powell also says "nah" then I'll admit defeat