Dufty rumour i'm hoping is exactly that, just a rumour. Thewlis should take the Fullback role full time next year, with Ratchford (if re-signed) as a utility player.
I remember Cooper saying before he re-signed with us he was looking to go full time with his business, so he may very well retire at the end of this year.
2 solid props are the priority, 1 to replace Cooper (if he goes) and one for impact off the bench. If Cooper stays another year we i'd still look for a solid prop and an impact prop, Sam Kasiano or Paasi as an impact prop would be ideal. As for a solid starting prop i'm unsure who is actually realistically available other than Gil Dudson who could take that role, from the out of contract lists i've seen. Unless we pull a rabbit out the bag and bring Thompson home. But i think he's happy in Aus.
I think the backline is covered for us but utility players are always a bonus.
it's gonna be very interesting to see who goes and comes in for next year?
Rhys Martin i'd be very happy with at 12, but i don't think leeds will let him go, although just like Cooper why hasn't he been resigned already?

Dufty rumour i'm hoping is exactly that, just a rumour. Thewlis should take the Fullback role full time next year, with Ratchford (if re-signed) as a utility player.
I remember Cooper saying before he re-signed with us he was looking to go full time with his business, so he may very well retire at the end of this year.
2 solid props are the priority, 1 to replace Cooper (if he goes) and one for impact off the bench. If Cooper stays another year we i'd still look for a solid prop and an impact prop, Sam Kasiano or Paasi as an impact prop would be ideal. As for a solid starting prop i'm unsure who is actually realistically available other than Gil Dudson who could take that role, from the out of contract lists i've seen. Unless we pull a rabbit out the bag and bring Thompson home. But i think he's happy in Aus.
I think the backline is covered for us but utility players are always a bonus.
it's gonna be very interesting to see who goes and comes in for next year?
Rhys Martin i'd be very happy with at 12, but i don't think leeds will let him go, although just like Cooper why hasn't he been resigned already?

Completely agree, thewlis' progression is the biggest positive I can take from this season so far. I really rate Ratchford but Thewlis had become a better fullback option before his 20th birthday.

Its a total waste of time having an academy if young players who come in and stake a very strong claim to earn the starting shirt get shifted to the side. The rebuild we have on our hands means we really have to play the younger players who look like they belong in superleague, thewlis, Dean, wrench and longstaff should all be in or around the matchday 17 for me. If we spread the cap too thin with too many unnecessary signings like dufty we will just end up with average across the field and younger (and probably better) academy graduates warming the benches seeking moves elsewhere.

I don't want us to sign dufty, he may be brilliant for us but thewlis could go on to be much better for a lot longer whilst actually wanting to be here and he won't let us down.

Warrington are 'linked' to every single ooc player in oz. And I'd do the same if I was a player's agent.

If we are linked with him what does that say about Thewlis also it would possibly mean Ratchford is one of those not getting a new contract.

We should be prioritizing academy players and filling the gaps with high-quality players.

With Thewlis, there isn't a gap at full-back and hopefully won't be for another 10 years. Doesn't matter how good the player is really, the money would be better spent elsewhere.

You've hit the nail on the head. Don't worry too much about us signing Dufty, but do be concerned about Cooper. He's already speaking to Huddersfield.

IF he’s one of those with an attitude and potentially holding back any changes / progress that Powell is trying to make, then it’s hardly a concern for me.

Agreed, but his replacement would need to be a top class prop forward, NOT a bargain basement project type signing.

At 34 next season Cooper.
As I’ve said with Hill, better to loose them a season early that keep them a season too long. Props are generally prime at 27-29.

All of our signings need to be top class for next year.

,
Barry Hearn must be kicking himself that he didn't form the Professional Engineers Council, and present some ideas for Sky to televise. It would surely have been much more interesting than snooker.

Can we just sign Melbourne Storm then and give all the families jobs

Exactly. We don't have a weakness at fullback but we do at various positions in the pack - NRL spots better spent there.

loose them a season early?