Based on Hardaker being a fading talent who has caused trouble at every club he’s ever played for and quite often gets into the mire off the field.

I would rather pay him money to stay away than have him at the club right now, when things are looking up

Exactly. Hes a great player but right now we don't need him to get out of this league and he'll be a year old when we are back in Super League.....and may have destroyed the team spirit being built.
Whereas Pratt will have another year under his belt and will be nearer his potential.
And will have helped build the team.

And we can buy a younger player of Hardakers level by then too.

This is probably where I sit too.

In the short term he absolutely improves us but we don’t need to look short term at the moment.

If we was available, and as I understand it he might be due to having issues commuting to Leigh, I’d think Fev or Cas is a more likely destination, easier to get there on the bus too.

I’m not convinced on Pratt long term but he clearly has potential and needs to be given a season to develop further, which he will only get from playing games.

Thornley is good for this year and we have time to recruit ahead of any SL return.

It comes down to risk and reward and whilst I do think he would improve us the risk is too great and shortsighted.

For me Pratt is about as talented a player as I've seen come out of our academy in recent years, I can see only his physical size holding him back.

His size is my main concern.

He’s clearly very skilful and bags of potential it’s just how he adapts to SL level and makes the most of what he does have and how we use him.

Wonder if he's a potential stand off?
His size wouldn't be an issue there but does he have the talent for that position?

Pratt is a centre. I hope we are well past the days of playing players out of position except in emergency situations.

Pratt is only 19/20? And he’s quite stocky and well built. More importantly he has excellent agility and pace and has a pass to put his winger away. All the materials are there for a SL good quality centre imho. Game time is what’s needed for him and a season in championship will do him wonders.

Can’t say he’s struggled physically vs York, Leeds or Wigan and looks quite robust.

Probably one of the most promising centres in superleague or championship.

AGREE and there is a good chance if he turns out to be a very good , he will not be taken by a S L club because we have no Cash

I agree he's come through as a centre and I'd be quite happy for him to stay there but despite what you say some players (and can think of dozens over my 60 odd years of watching the game) are excellent in some positions but successfully move and centre to SO is not a massive move if the centre has talent - Keith Smith one example!

So why not try him at prop with that logic? Belly did it.

He's a centre and a very good one. For me he learns his trade there under two international centres.
And he's big enough.

Pratt sorry to say will not get any way near K Smith ,would get into my top 5 centres I have seen at Wakefield. If Pratt gets half as good he will bring a lot to the team if we get into S L

The modern sport has evolved and the pacing is vastly different in the modern game. I would say a lot of what you say is correct but not so for the recent game.

You may see a small number of centres make transition to second row or some centres adaptable to cover at centre but generally recently it’s the full back and halfback roles that are more translatable as some of the same skill sets are required and they’re usually involved in your phased plays behind the line. Outside backs tend to be the end products of this.

You’ll generally see the following players have dual positions like below:

Full back / halfback - for example… Jowitt, Miller, Field, French, Pryce, and more.

Prop / loose

While ever we have a young half in Lawford though waiting in the wings with promise we don’t need to consider options.

INOUT

Lawford is no winger!!!

You deliberately miss my point don't be ridiculous