I can't see Powell letting Butler go mid-season unless he has a plan in place to replace (and improve) the pack with pretty much immediate effect. It makes no sense otherwise. I hope to hear an announcement from the club asap about a replacement.

Take it to the bank everybody….

Not sure about Kennedy coming for this season as he's playing each week for Brisbane. He'd be much needed this season though so fingers crossed we can get him this year as he was rumoured to be coming next year anyway.
Heard we've already signed Tanginoa for next year as well, if we have would we play him at prop or second row where he has played his best games?
Keep hearing Dudson and Kasiano are still coming, so we'd have a massively beefed up pack for next year.

You do find this time in the NRL season, that there’s almost one club fat on the salary cap, I’m not saying they are,
Rhys Kennedy fits our mould, Vaughan is at the backend, I would prefer another season or 2 with Cooper than Vaughan tbh, Coops has kept himself in good condition and shows little evidence of slowing just yet.

Tanginoa is a done deal. Still need 2 props though!!

Maybe Butler was part of the deal then?

Yeah i was thinking that, to help ease the loss of Tanginoa maybe?
I hope he starts in the second row as he's has some unreal games there, and tore defences apart being able to run outwide. Maybe he takes 12 and Holmes to 13, or Currie to 13 and Holmes back to the left side where he's always played? I'm excited for Tanginoa to come in

You reckon do you



That was the reaction I got from those in the know when I suggested this, they called it wishful thinking, but they could just be great poker players.

That said I think Tanginoa is spent so I'll happily take you hard earned

He seemed to start off really well in the back row but then got shifted to play in the middle. What drove that move to play in the middle rather than out wide? Did an injury force it? Do see him primarily as a middle unit player rather than a back row these days?

He is not spent despite what you say and I see you are quoting your friends in high places. It is just your opinion not fact but those he knows appear to like to feed him information because it makes him feel important and good for his ego.

It is the signing of players like Butler, Brand and even the re signing of Ellis Robson that cause me to question our policy far more than the marquee style players. Someone at the club has seen enough in them to warrant their signing, they dont seem to be given any chance in the first team, then shipped out.
Is it the initial signing that is at fault? Are the coaches at fault for not developing their potential? In the meantime their opportunity to play is also hampered.

Said in another thread about Tanginoa, it was Jon Wells in one of the Sky games said we were talking to him.