I agree with your thoughts, but I also think promotion/relegation is with us next season.

He had a contract. It expired. I'm sure he was thanked for his services. That's how contracts work.

I don't know if he meant that he wasn't told whether he'd be offered a new one or not, but that is a conversation that doesn't need to happen. If we end up short of wingers when the recruitment ends, he might get another call. But why tell him no when it isn't necessarily no.

IIRC about 4 years ago (??), Rocky's contract wasn't initially re-newed and it looked like he was leaving but eventually a deal was agreed and he then signed up again, so I'm guessing that the door could still be open for the likes of Croft, Shaw etc. ??

The interesting thing is that both Shaw and Croft are of the ability and profile to have been signed up and announced by another club if they were free agents… and I’ve seen nothing…

Not even speculation

Think there was plenty of speculation with Shaw in that Wigan came in for him before the end of last season, so I suspect we will have been competing against a strong offer from Wigan. I am hoping we can match it or the lad doesn't fancy having to live in Wigan as to lose another good young prospect would be disappointing.

I don't know many players but oddly I know someone close to Shaw. He keeps telling me there is no truth in it, but of course he could be fibbing or just doesn't know. Bit like the Gale is a done deal I suppose

However what makes me think it's a red herring is having watched Wigan beat us in the Reserve final they had at least 3 props who looked better than Shaw. So It begs the question, why would they want him.