I think there is always going to be a transitional element to that plan when it involves bridging such a steep gap from being a blank canvas at a yo-yo club in the championship, to the ultimate aim of being a regular playoff challenger. A lot of the UK players were all on 'overs', where they were paid above their value to take a risk on a club still in the championship at the time, and a lot of our imports were of such quality that they were always going to be on a timer until they were heading back to Oz. This year and next year for me were always going to be about adding the puzzle pieces of players that can be with us longer term with some short term x factor sprinkled in, something we've made some progress on with the additions of Hanley, Trout, Norman, Halton, McNamara and hopefully some from the likes of McIntosh, Brogan, Baxter etc can kick on.

There is an evident plan with the older heads in the team that they are getting 1 year deals offered on reduced terms back to their true market worth which they can take or leave - Charnley, O'Brien and Hughes(according to press) have accepted theirs and others like Hardaker and Holmes have opted to move on. It will be freeing up a pretty significant chunk of cap for us.

Whilst it's sad to see the likes of O'Donnell, Asiata etc move on it brings new opportunities for recruitment from a better bargaining standpoint, as an established SL club capable of being in the conversation for trophies and capable of developing fringe NRL players like Amone, O'Donnell, Ipape and Lam into genuine quality players. I'm very much looking forward to see what Chester and Lam are cooking up for next years additions - one thing for sure is you can bank on quality in our imports, the track record they have is incredible and shows no sign of fading with Moylan's addition this year.

I wouldn't mind having James McDonnell back, but he did sign a 1 year extension earlier this year taking him to end of next season so it's whether Leeds would be willing to let him go. I wouldn't mind having Sam Stone back from Salford to be honest, his contract is up at the end of the year and he's still only 26. I was quite sad we had to let him go at the end of 2022 and in hindsight he would've been a far better option than Nakubuwai or Seumanufagai.

I can see Sam Stone coming back.

Tom Amone's a Bulldog, so endeth the saga. The seesaw has swung from Amone and Leutele going, to Tom saying in the Mirror that he was undecided. Newly re-signed Lammy suggested that Leigh was still in talks, only to be let down a few hours later. It's the hope that kills.

No hard feelings Tom, you have given everything, and deserve a shot at the NRL riches. Good luck in the NRL and you will leave a Leigh Legend #1528

Kai has signed for the North Queensland Cowboys for 2025

The policy of not announcing transfers until the end of the season is becoming farcical. Adrian Lam was put in an incredibly difficult position when asked about Tom Amone, and as far as I can see, there still hasn't been anything from the club on the news.

In an era of img points for social media engagement, Leigh fans find themselves engaging with Canterbury Bulldogs accounts on the matter.