Just to be clear this was a mischievous suggestion, no basis for it whatsoever.

I know it was a bit of mischief, but I entertained the idea because we may well need a decent prop now. I'm trying to think who else is acceptable to replace Hill, but on a little bit less money?

When is Watts off-contract, and is he too disruptive?

I’m not sure there are plenty of decent props.

Hill will be a huge loss, he's looking like one of the best props in the league again; if he wants a 2 year deal, I'd give it him.

Anything like an adequate replacement is going to cost big money and will represent a gamble ..... particularly an NRL prop.

Bullock in for Akauola in addition to what we already have in Hill, Cooper, Philbin and Mulhern would be very good. Bullock in for Chris Hill? No thanks. A massive downgrade.

While Hill will be 34 at the start of next season I’m still convinced he’s well worth a two year contract. He’s back to his best this season, puts in good minutes and barely misses a match. With the addition of perhaps Bullock it’d also allow us to use him a little more sparingly in order to keep him fresh rather than flogging him like we have done over the last few years.

I really don’t get the thought process behind not keeping him. Realistically, how many props are there around and available who are better than him, or at least as good as him? Not many, if any at all in my opinion.

He’s been a magnificent servant for us and given his form this year, the club should be doing all they can to keep hold of him.

Be gutted if he does leave and can’t help but think it’d be a massive error on behalf of the club if he does go.

Tricky one, I mean how long do you keep a ‘club legend’ in the squad and apart of the team. Westwood hardly featured in his last season and had to bow out with a few injury problems as he turned 36, which if we do sign Hill for an additional two years he will be nearing the same age.

Roby is 35 now and a few Saints pals of mine have said it’s probably his most ineffective season as a pro, although he still gets picked week in week out regardless of results. O’Loughlin was 37 last year when he retired and he hardly featured in this last two seasons at Wigan. Tough decisions have to be made unfortunately, I’m in two minds about it….I can see the pros & cons if he was to stay or go.

If we have a solid replacement lined up who’s a good few years younger, then we’ve got to make the sensible decision here and let him go. Although given his form this year, he’s probably been our most consistent prop for me and seems to have cut out those needless penalties from his game, which has been scarring his performances the last few years.

One thing to bare in mind is that we are having a lot of players coming in and out of the team: this doesn’t for me feel right. I’m all for freshing up the squad with a few new players here and there, but we are potentially losing 7/8 players and replacing them with about the same along with a new head coach & his own team. Powell has got his work cut out trying to put together a new working cohesive team, it’s looking like we are going to have to go through another transition period. Which given our recent form in the league and how well we are playing as a team is a bitter pill to swallow.

I'm a bit late to the party in regards to hill.
I will say that he has been a fantastic servant to the club. And been consistently been one of our best props.

Loyalty would count for something. But I'd agree with Duckie that we need to be ruthless. (I do think mamo was worth 2/3 years as he will give us 15 tries a season and that will help immensely in the coming seasons. Thus why I think he should of stayed. He would be elevated further under powell. But that's by the by)

As for hill. Does he deserve a benny Westwood contract. Rolling year contracts. Until one of us decides it's time. (2 year contracts for a 34 year old prop next season at his money is not good business)
I would give him a rolling year contract at slightly less or equal to his contract now. Maybe a pay as you play style contract on his current wages. Sliding down by 10% each year due to age. And give him the assurances that if he stays at the level he has performed at consistently for the past decade. And stats injuryfree. That he has a home at warrington and he will be on the team sheet. It gives hill security. And it gives the club one of the best performing props in the league for the coming years.

Surely hill knows his time is coming to a end in the next few years and he is looking for the biggest contract and longevity. Which is good business for him. But not necessarily for a club. And he will have to recognise that he may not receive the biggest wages or contracts anymore
Giving him the rolling year contracts. As long as its mutual. Just te-activate it each year like we did with benny Westwood.

He won’t want a one-year rolling deal if he can get two at Huddersfield. Who can blame him? To be honest I thought it would be Leigh he’d sign for, but staying in Super League at one of the more financially able clubs makes sense.

Exactly, at this stage in his career that extra year from Huddersfield - even on less money - is far more valuable to Hill.

These are always judgement calls, plenty were critical of us for signing Morley on a 4 year deal back in the day, that was a good judgement call on our behalf. Who said it’s better to let a player leave a year early than a year late?

What’s important is the replacement we have lined up, that’s the bit that concerns me as there doesn’t seem to be much out there.

If he's that good, and I think he is, why on earth would he take a one year rolling contract decreasing in value by 10% each year? Until we know (i) if he's going and (ii) who our fourth prop will be next year, then we can't make a call on any decision. Cooper, Philbin, Mulhearn (plus Butler, Bullock) is good if the replacement to add to that list is at least as effective as Hill. If not, then we might struggle.

Thought he was immense the other night. Seems to have found top form again.

He has really found form this season, possibly related to no captaincy responsibilities? I can see why we would only offer a year and he would want 2. Hilly owes us nothing, been an exceptional player, if he goes there should be no bitterness from us.