Any decent half is already signed up, so we're pretty much snookered, bar taking a punt on a young Aussie lad with potential, who can't get a game, because of his place in the hierarchy/better established players in his position.
No Aussie is going to sign a contract longer than this year's GF, with Widdop coming next year, so an Aussie "kicking his heels" is our only option.

I'm surprised nobody has started a Ben Barba one year deal rumour just to increase the hits to the website that Wires71 has posted a link to.

Is a ban inevitable? If the officials were sure it would’ve been a straight red.

I take your point. We aren’t going to find somebody great and I don’t have a specific name in mind. If bringing up a youngster is the answer, brill. Either way, I’d like another name in the mix for a rainy day.

How's this for a thought - play one of the academy kids and promote from within rather than getting the cheque book out!!!

We already are.

At the moment we're 2 from 2 with Patton, I can see us going all season with him and winning the lot....and they'd still be fans knocking him.

That's a fair point. Dec needs game time in a settled side. He should get this now for this season at least due to KBs unfortunate injury. Next year though - where will he play especially if he rips it up this season with widdop coming?

Who has knocked him? I've not. He had not stood out in any positive way for me but I've not seen undue criticism.

What is to lose by de-registering Brown and keeping an eye out for talent?

No there wouldn't, but you'd be itching it to be true, come October.
If we were lucky enough to win one pot, I'm pretty confident nobody would be knocking Patton, or Hughes/Walker/ Goodwin etc.
As you would say, wake up and smell the custard

We can shelf this discussion, for the time being anyway. FWIW I think we should be seeking dispensation just so we have flexibility for a short term signing later in the season if required.

Already granted 2 days ago.

I've seen, I don't think we should be in a rush to spend it, wait to see if we lose someone to a serious long term injury.

Rangi Chase available from July...

Is he suspended until then?

I can't see us signing a starting half back. With Widdop and Austin on the books for next year we'd be looking for someone on a short term deal. On top of that we'd probably be looking at someone who has fallen out with their present club (which might suggest a problem) or we'd be paying a transfer fee. Then there's the fact that we'd be bringing them in with the season already underway and they would need time to settle in, plus, there is the small matter that Castleford are without both Gale and Ellis and have dispensation (and Gale was probably on more money than Brown).

Price had already suggested that, prior to Brown's injury, there was space for one more under the cap. I wouldn't be surprised if talks weren't already underway on that front (I've no idea with whom, I'm merely speculating) so the additional space resulting from Brown's injury may, or may not, alter that. I would expect that the club would move for a suitable player to provide cover (maybe more of a utility player in the mould of Mitch Brown or Pomeroy) if and when somebody becomes available.