Very strange, is what it is tho.

It's like watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your brand new car, you're just not sure how to feel about it.

Great guy, loyal, gives 100% - but he's had injuries and he's no spring chicken and we have younger guys coming through.

Surprised, but if he's on buttons then it sort of makes sense. Even with Walters coming in and the emergence of Nsemba, it's not a position where we have lots of depth.

I'm going to go against the grain and say I'm happy with it. The injuries are a worry for sure but it's the first season he's been impacted by issues and hopefully it's a one off. When he has played, I think he's been very good actually.

I look at the squad and the second row area looks light in experience (if we're saying it's Nsemba and Walters competing with Faz for a spot). What those two younger lads don't lack though is talent, they have it in bucket loads and you don't want to hold them back. If we went out and signed an out and out starting second rower, who plays long minutes like Faz, you are really limiting the minutes Nsemba and Walters (if we play him there) could get in that position. To keep Isa around allows you an experienced head, who can drop in and out as needed and one who is a leader and sets a fantastic example of what being a professional rugby league player is all about.

The side is still a very young one and to keep Cooper and Isa around for the extra year is something I'm supportive of. I was worried we were heading for a scenario of Liam Farrell being pretty much our only experienced player/leader, so it makes total sense that we've avoided that.

Spot on.

As much as I love Willie Isa as a bloke and I think he was actually having his best season for a long time prior to his injury, I can’t say I am enthused by this at all. He will be 35 next season, coming off quite a big injury and he is also taking up a quota spot which means (to my knowledge) that if Mago also signs a 1 year deal we can’t sign another non federation player as it will be Cust out and Keighran in, unless Isa can get an exemption for being in the country for 12 years similar to what Tommy got? Still think we will be very well set for next season but I did have my hearts set on an experienced big second rower from Oz and the rumours on here about 2/3 signings had got me really excited.

I’m happy, like others have said experience in the pack and especially the second row. He give 100% he’s a good utility when fit and give 100%. I know he’s had his injuries this year but that game at Warrington at the peak of their season he was great hitting that line tiring out their forwards, he was instrumental to that win

Odd use of a quota spot

I think it's the form of Nsemba these past few weeks that confirms it as a good re-signing for me. When he first came in, I thought he did really well but in my mind I thought that he was really raw and would still only see him playing 5-10 games in 2024. This past few weeks has seen him take a number of steps forward, to the point where you could see him being heavily involved in 2024 and a move that jeopardises that could actually hurt us longer term. We cannot risk another Matty Nicholson style exit because a team elsewhere decides to offer him a load of cash and a starting spot. It's a balancing act but one I think we've got right here.

Plus also remember seeing an interview were Nsemba name checked Willie as someone to look up to and who inspired him.

Finally some news on this forum that doesn’t feel like stomach churning progress. Excellent.

I understand the need for experience in a young squad but I must admit I was hoping that we may have acquired an experienced nrl backrow forward.
I can see and acknowledge the merits of Isa but in total for me they are offset by a lack of any attacking attributes.

If as someone has suggested that he might not count as a quota player in 2024 then I would be happy with the extension otherwise I’m a little non plussed with the announcement.

I still wouldn’t be sure it totally rules it out. I think they want Isa to bring leadership and experience and that’s understandable. A lot will depend on where they see Walters playing. If it’s in the middle, they might want one more option in the back row and if it’s in the back row, I think they might still want another prop. It certainly doesn’t feel like money (other than cap space) will be an issue and it may now be as simple as Mago stays or somebody else comes in.

I believe Mago has been offered a one year deal so if true and he accepts it then means all quota slots have gone unless Isa is excluded from 2024.
I fully understand what Isa brings and personally I like his total commitment to the club however, his lack of size, pace and ball handling skills means that he brings very little to our attack. I’m not anti Isa but I was hoping we would significantly improve our back row in 2024.

I get it, I really do. I think in time we can improve the position but I do feel the need for that leadership and experience is pretty important for us next year, especially if somebody like Sam Powell is off. If we could get a guaranteed hit from the NRL, one who is experienced and brings leadership, that would’ve been ideal but there doesn’t look many options knocking about
(Not on the off contract list anyway).

If we do sign Mago back on, I can live with it. I look at how we’re going now and losing King and KPP is a blow but Keighran and Walters replace them. I think Leeming is an upgrade on Powell and Chan adds an extra option. We can add Cooper, Havard and Isa back in to a side, that is flying at the minute (obviously Dupree has already been brought in). Nsemba looks outstanding and Hill will be all the better for his games this year. There will be good competition for places in the forwards. Guys like Byrne, Havard, Smithies and O’Neill will be another year on in their development also, so I think we’re in a really healthy place regardless.