He'll turn out to actually be a hooker, whoever this mysterious Australian international halfback is.

Mixed view on this really.

It would be good to have a top level half with experience in the ranks.

On the other hand, it would limit the appearances of either Myler or O'Brien...what most see as our long term half pairing

Well I know we like to sign mature Aus stars, but at 37 I really think that would be pushing credibility a bit far. Good player though.

Hodgson, Morley, Higham all 1 more year.
Briers, Cooper, Williams, O'Brien, Laithwaite 2+ years.

Dave has the rest of the season to earn himself a new deal.

That's what I would do.

Why would Hodgson accept reduced terms? He's done everything asked of him this season and you'd ask him to take a pay cut?

Got to agree. If we don't bend over backwards for him, someone else will and, having seen what he did to us in the hudds playoff game, I don't want that. Plus, we can always offer him a coaching job for afters.

After watching Ratchford today I'm starting to wonder do we need to retain Hodgson?

I'm a massive fan of Hodgson, but we realistically can't retain everyone can we? I have no doubts that Ratchford can fill his boots and the money saved on Hodgson can be used to retain / improve the contracts of our excellent youngsters.

I wouldn't want to be in Smiths shoes with all the tricky decision making he is facing come the end of the season (not to mention his cup final team!!)

I said this today. We would cope without Hodgson. BUT, one of our big strengths is the depth we have in our squad. There's no harm in keeping Hodge on and letting Ratch learn a bit more from one of the best and bed into the position as much as possible IMO.

Signs seem like Moz may go with Briers taking captaincy and Hill taking his his shirt

I wouldn't be surprised to see Moz go. Not sure what type of money he is on but if he stops surely it would be at a lower amount than what he is currently on? He is a legend but his powers are on the wane
IMO we need to shed one of the senior players, either Moz, Hodgson, Or Sol
Briers is bound to get another year, and rightly so.

So looking at who is out of contract from the current first team squad we have

Hodgson - Might get another year.. Wouldn't be the end of the world if he didn't though, as ratchford is proving to be an excellent player. His departure would free up a quota spot as well which could be advantageous.
Briers - I would think he would have to be nailed on for another season.
Morley - This could well be his last season. I'm not sure if the great man has another season of top flight rugby league in him. if he does leave i would expect to see a quality prop brought in, possibly from the NRL.
Big dave - be surprised to see him get another year.
Higham - Everyone's favourite scapegoat has been playing well this season. Would you give him another year? If the rumours of Clark from cas are true i would let him leave. Clark / Dwyer for the run of the mill games. Then Clark / Monaghan for the others.
Williams - I would be amazed if he didn't get another contract. Makes sense to keep your decent young players.
O'brien - nailed on
Mitchell - he has probably had his chances at the wire..... Although he will go on to make a steady SL player, it probably wont be with us.
laithwaite - You would think another contact is nailed on... However if we go and sign Bateman he may look at the queue of players infront of him in the pecking order and decide on a move to another club. Teams like Widnes and saints will be waiting in the wings with a contract for him should he decide thats where his future lies.

Thats how i see it anyway.

Vaguely agree with you. Hodge I think will get another year, I don't see any harm in letting Ratch learn under him for another season and he's still a top quality player. Morley has one more year in him IMO. Higham deserves another year after the form he's shown this year but if we have signed Clark you'd have to say he's for the off. Wouldn't say Williams is as nailed on as you seem to think he is, farmed out on loan to Cas and Evans seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order. I do think he's worth another year though.

Trent Warehouse leaving at end of season ! Bought out his own contract so my spies tell me ! So who will be his Replacement ?

Are these reliable spies, or your brothers gardeners auntie type of spy ?

Waterhouse...probably had a good offer to be a scapegoat at another club.