Don't forget Russell wasn't on a first team contract and wasn't lured by the NRL to play for a NRL team (like Sam for example) he was in the feeder team and spent all of his time in the feeder team. I'm pretty sure Matty like Matty Smith woudn't have gone anyway if they had a first team place in their respective teams.

Point remains, it's all about timing for the clubs and the players.

Very true, but there are few, if any, that letting go has turned out to be the wrong decision (of those that have stayed in SL, at least).

This will come back to haunt us!

Swinton firstly.

I have just been looking at the Titans web site to see what his stats were playing for them. It appears that he was unable to get a first team game. I also noted that he was contracted until the end of 2014 so Titans must be quite happy to let him go early.

Lesser clubs feeding on our scraps.

I remember watching him tear teams to shreds in the 20's, if I'd of picked one player from our 20's to make it back then it'd of been Russell.

Having said that, Ryan King was just as lethal attacking wise ... I don't know if he's even playing anymore?

Good luck to him, there's plenty more coming through - continuously.

I always liked the look of Russell and I think he will do well but with Bowen coming here I think it closed the door on him returning.That being said Ratchford at Wire means he will be in a back up role aswell.He really needs first team football and I think Wire may loan him out and have a ready made replacement for Ratchford when he leaves at the end of the season.

If Wire put Russell at fullback and Ratchford at #6 where does it leave 'the next big thing' Gareth O'Brien?

I just wanted to be the first to say it.

Every time an ex player signs for someone else, we get the "this will come back to haunt us" brigade out.

Prob go out on loan to cas?Hes in a similar position to Hampshire,who for me I'd rather see play regular at another superleague team then just a handful of times for Wigan.

When Hodgson leaves Wire, Briers will go at the same time, end of 2014.
Wouldn't surprise me to see O'Brien at 7 instead of Myler.
GOB is a better player and a quality goal kicker. Myler could move on!

Hodgson has already been released and briers is going around again next season.

if anyone goes from wire my guess would by myler he just hasn't developed as he should.

1. russell

6. ratchford

7. O'brien

looks like a good spine to me unfortunately or could at least develop in to a good .

I thought Myler had his best season before he got injured.My guess would be Ratchford to go to Salford for big money,leaving a halfback pairing of O'Brien and Myler when Briers leaves.