Eorl, fielden, mason, mullally, Patrick, Johnson, Ta'ai...
We have a much stronger front row than last season already- if giants have to pay I suspect they will back out and use the money for a halfback.

Exactly, he isn't needed so much any more so either the Bulls will have to release him or pay him what he wants.

Interesting stuff, and interesting timings of various announcements, a few facts, make of them what you will:

1. The RFL were involved in discussions with OK Bulls prior to their takeover. Any assurances given have not been made public.
2. On player transfer Craig Kopczak rejected his change of Employer, as he is legally entitled to do.
3. Kopczak's insurance is sorted so he can play for Wales. The insurers must know whom they are indemnifying.
4. The RFL have questioned various people about the "Kopczak Affair" following Bradford's complaint.
5. The RFL have not released any statement, nor do they appear to have charged any party with any form of misconduct.
6. Jarrod Sammut has received a further dispensation from the RFL, that is a relaxation of rules not an entitlement.
7. The only public statements have come through the local paper in Bradford.

There will be all sorts of opinions on how the above should be interpreted, however if there had been any illegal approach for CK it is highly unlikely that the parties involved would admit it, therefore I think it unlikely there is any evidence to charge anyone.

I assume that the T&A story has come from information provided by the Bulls, I may be wrong, but it seems likely and I don't have any issue with that, but I will regard that information in that light.

It does appear to me that the issue here is not the Giants conduct, who knows what really happened, but there appears only to be assertion not proof of misconduct. No the real issue seems to be the expectations OK Bulls had when buying the club, what assurances were given by the RFL, were they sold a pup?

Can anyone think of a good reason to give Jarrod Sammut a dispensation?

What might also be an issue is if the RFL are going to discipline the player if they feel he was at fault and it might be more than just a Huddersfield/Bradford issue. If he is still classed as a Bradford player after all this there would be the issue of him going AWOL which would at least be an internal Bradford disciplinary matter but the RFL might feel they need to step in and punish him also but I guess until a statement comes out it is all conjecture.

Maybe because he's a Malteser, a developing nation. Not too sure whether he should or should not count as federation trained as he grew up in oz and Malta.

Re Koppy... I wouldn't think he's worth paying a big fee for tbh, Maybe 20 - 30k for his development but that's just my opinion. Very badly advised by his agent though.

Correct me if I am wrong but did not The Bradford Bulls go into administration and did not the administator have the power to sell any of the clubs assets? Also were not the players counted among these assets? So if Craig Kopczak through his agent declined to transfer his contract of employment to the new club,(as is his right).How can the new club The OK Bulls hold his registration given as the player has not signed for them? If they argue that the player is still registered with them, then using the same argument,are the OK Bulls responsible for the previous clubs £1.5 million debts? I sincerely wish the new club all the best but it seems to me that until the RLs report is made public it could mean that someone has opened a can of worms.I think a direct swap Walker for Kopczak done directly between the two clubs would be in both clubs best interest.
As for Jarrod Sammut good luck to him,but wasn't he given the right along with the other Crusader players?

Jammie, if more players and clubs were more honest there would be no need for agents,in my opinion these guys are doing nothing but lining their own pockets.

He was quoted as saying he had got legal advice about refusing his contract under TUPE- unless the rfl an prove an illegal move was made by the giants (or any other club) then I can't see there being an issue. I would think the agents of ALL the bulls players made a few phone calls when the future of the club was in doubt asking whether their players would be of interest IF the bulls were to fold. I would also think that the bulls received a few phone calls from various clubs asking about the possible availability of players. These things go on all the time and aren't as far as I know in breach of any rules. If from this kopczak recognised that he has the opportunity to sign elsewhere without breaching a contract and took it I cant see that there is any wrongdoing or grounds for a transfer fee. And if he's smart that's what he'll say.

You could be right on the Malteser, not sure why those grounds weren't used before rather than rely on the Crusaders exemption?

On the second point, I would be astonished if the Giants paid anything for Kopczak, but if the rumours of Bradford interest in Adam Walker are true then I can understand why OK would feel a bit vexed about paying out for a currently less experienced player. FWIW I thought Walker did well in his few games at the start of last season and definately feel he has the potential to be a decent SL prop, he is certainly a big unit.

I agree Giantdee (pardon the poetry)I thought he had played very well at the beginning of the season but like quite a few of the younger players we seem to be afraid to play them! Could be one to come back and bite us.Like I have said before give the young ones a chance especially the 6s.

Sammut would still count on non-fed trained quota even taking into account his Maltese passport (if he has one)
Re Adam walker - I don't know if Bradford are actually interested in signing walker- but a rhinos pal did tell me Leeds were considering him-

I totally agree, Martin Shuttleworth (Koppy's agent i think) is the one who will get his big cut for orchestrating his clients move away, where he would get nothing if Koppy stayed at Bfd.
Agents are a cancer within the game.