Poaching has said we are trying to keep him but we have limitations on budget that others may not have.

In this case the board must decide what is his worth to the club. I think we can all agree that our recent recruitment appears to be based on economy rather than improvement. We got lucky with Hall but currently not sure about others.
We can assume Topou will not being retained so that must free up some funds, why cannot these be used to fund the retention of TJ.

It would appear these discussions are irrelevant if the media are correct.

We also got lucky with Murphy but talented though he is I don't see him as a like for like with Tom.

If Tupou is retained I will be stunned but I said the same about Ashurst. TBF Ashurst has done ok this year but he's not the player he was and I doubt Tupou will be either.

The media has got it wrong plenty of times before.

I hope they have this time because it will not bode well for the future of the club. I have said financial prudence is admirable but occasionally it is better to loosen the financial straight jacket because it was generate more in the long term than any immediate savings.
I fear the reaction of the many supporters who are not on the forum if true because they will feel it’s back to the bad old days.

Bad old days of what, a players contract running down meaning he's free to move on? We can offer what we can offer, but same with recruitment we are not going to be at the top table with salaries or indeed, chances of silverware, which to me is what Johnstone would be looking for over renumeration.

I think watching lees talented players get an England chance ahead of him because they play for better teams and get more chances will play a part

They have but with many reports from different sections of the media my money is on Tom running out in sunshine in a different country in 2023 TBH.

North Wales Crusaders?

Some people don't seem to be able to grasp that Tom can do what he likes. It's not necessarily financial or it might be. He has been with us for a good few years. Players come and go it's life. He may want a change then again he may be happy to stay I am sure will know his decision soon enough. The club may also feel the money used on Tom could be used elsewhere to strengthen. FWIW I really hope he stays it could be a good time for the club with the ground improvements due to start. The club should be on an upwards trajectory. If he goes then it will be disappointing but it's a short career and he may have goals he wants to achieve that he may not feel will come at Wakefield. The club however has been first class looking after him through his knee injuries and so loyalty could also be a factor. Time will tell.

Odd opening statement. I have not seen a single poster who doesn’t understand that all to well.

What’s upsetting is that we all seem to agree that it’s not about money it’s about success and we simply can’t offer him that at present. We have no hold over him other than emotional and emotion is no longer enough at his age. All very sad and predictable. Despite the attempts of certain posters to stir it’s nobodies fault it’s just life.

The only shame in this scenario is that we weren’t able to turn some good periods of team form into success and trophies… I’m not sure that that would have stopped Tom moving on at this stage of his career… I think he always talked about trying his hand at NRL, and I hope that’s his destination…

I’m just happy that I have had the chance to see this really talented player do his stuff in a Trinity shirt.

I think in terms of the best players I have seen play for Wakey he’s certainly in the top 10 and one of the ones with longevity. Thank you for your service…

Frankly as long as he doesn’t join Cas and to a lesser extent Leeds I can just about take it

according to the Yorkshire Post Tom has completed his move to Catalans.