He's taller than he looks on the field

A fair signing - he hasn't set the world on fire, but as he develops a good partnership with his centre, we should see more from him; I'd still like to see him run sideways a bit less, but that will come with time when the systems and structures are set for 2015.

Welcome aboard Chris - I guess we've met our ginger quota now!

As I said only a rumour I was also told we had paid him off between 30-50k to get him off the books, so who knows but he must have signed somewhere to accept that IF ITS TRUE.

Probably Salford, they could not get him this year as their thug quota was full, the release of Hock has left a space.

Considering you were skint last year and your attendances' had not started to climb and with the recruitment you had at the start of the season you must have got a hell of a lot of money from the sale of Clarke to pay Owen off with £50k.

I had also heard that there was a 3 year deal for Owen at the end of the season.
Before everybody starts moaning if we do sign him for 3 years, do we know how much per year?
If it was a Vince Mellors 3 years, people may have a point but if the sums add up and he's not going to break the bank over 3 years, then why not?

glad to have riley on board

as for owen - young, english and superleague experienced - doesn't this describe the type of player we should be going for instead of over the hill aussies?

owen is a player who has potential, is local and would fit into our budget

Not sure about the "fit in to our budget" part.
And although local, isn't a popular local.

i would guess that he would be cheaper than others of similar standing who have played the similar amount of games.

we cannot afford to be too choosy. he has to prove himself to the wakefield public to be loyal to the cause - maybe his young family will help him become a bit more responsible.

I really don't know. I thought I'd seen that he was on 6 figures at Cas, but that is only RLFans evidence.

6 figures or 6 fingers at Cas?

Sykes was only 33 four weeks ago and overall he's been one of our best backs this season IMHO with his performances getting even better rather than worse as the season comes to an end playing the full back position.

Obviously another case of insufficient finance compared to what he can get elsewhere which is understandable if we use the budget to buy Tim Smith on a 3 year deal.

Very glad Riley has signed I hope signing Owen is a joke. After some of his efforts this year I would have sent him back and gave Johnstone a few goes

Many of you appear to assume that we can go all season with just 17players. If we send Owen back and play the young lad if he is injured who do we play on the wing. I know some of you will say Hall but is he not playing full back or cover for centre.
We currently need to retain and add further players rather than look to weaken the squad further more than we have already stated.

very happy with this. really good bit of news for us riley has signed