Butterworth has a very good kicking game but isn’t very dynamic and isn’t the best defender.

Harry Bowes is the best home grown Hooker on our books at the moment, I don’t understand why he can’t get an extended run when our more senior 9’s have been average.

Connor Bailey was doing OK but we seemed to dispense with him very quickly without really giving him the chance to find his feet and settle into the role

Charlie Abrahams has done really well at Mullumbimbi but like Bailey he wasn’t offered a chance to develop amongst a full time squad.

The tie is a chance to pitch themselves and good luck to them I say. Butterworth is on the edge but he either needs a contract this year or move on to have any career. Do what Hooley has done.

That said these days kids come from all walks and he may be doing a degree and has a family that can support his dream. So maybe he can bide his time, and good for him I say.

That’s totally correct regarding Abrahams. As far as I’m aware he wanted a year in Australia regardless. So how could we offer him anything. From what I’m told he’s not certain yet whether to come back or not. It’s not always the clubs fault, players are individuals with aspirations of there own and to some RL is not necessarily the be able and end all.

I used to live next door to a young player called Andy Speak. He had it all and was signed by Leeds on mega bucks. But within a few years he knew it wasn’t what he wanted to do and nobody including myself could talk him round.

He’s never looked back. What I’m attempting to say is that with youngsters it’s never as simple as just talent. A good coach is looking deeper than that, he’s looking for drive and hunger. It’s really difficult to spot in most young lads.