Drinkwater leaving at the end of this season according to Total RL.

Boss Hogg.
That’s exactly where Gary Chambers comes in.
Unlike Daryl Powell last season, Gary will have control of the welfare of the young, and senior players, and their best interests. No more DP throwing players under a bus.

After listening to all the blurb about Drinkwater prior to and immediately after his signing about how he was just the player we were looking for he has, for whatever reason, been very disappointing. Obviously, injuries have not helped as well as Williams clear dominance in the halves but I expected a lot more. Hayes emergence has, it would seem, made him surplus to requirements and his exit will clear up some funds and a quota spot I guess.

If Drinkwater does leave I think that leaves us with 3 quota spaces available for next year assuming Tai goes back too. Dufty, Vaughan, Musgrove and Fitzgibbon will be our contracted quota players remaining. Not saying we need to use it in full just for the sake of it but it does open up potential opportunities if the right players are available.

Thanks. Absolutely criminal.

King was announced as leaving just after the challenge cup, he was after more minutes.

Tasi wasn't announced till around October as a filler

King was leaving and then his form massively improved, hindsight is great but doesn't prove anything before hand..
Same with Mamo, he was ok but suddenly had a brilliant second half of the year after Powell had already signed Mata'utia.

You just had to say the Mat…word did’t you! Ruined my day!

he was a 23 yr old academy prop/middle who we were getting decent value for money/output from, but chances are he saw before the rest of us did about how weird steve price was going to be in terms of flogging cooper and hill and using other undersized middles.

added to that, at the time King brothers were taking a bit of a bashing off the pitch.

Did Price develop any junior player into the first team during his 4 year tenure?

Yes, Thewlis and Wrench as far as I can remember - certainly towards the end of his tenure.

Ashton too I suppose, but he was obviously bought in to the club.

I was told yesterday that we've signed Jordan Abdull on a two year deal from next year.

That would effectively close the door on Hayes playing in out 1st team, unless the plan is to play Abdul at 13?

Abdul does have a lot to offer but he needs to get fitter than he currently is, there is only Hurrell currently playing in Super League who has as much excess fat as him.

I wouldn't worry too much - if we sign Jordan Abdull, Hayes will get plenty of game time!!