It’s Matty Russell

I'd heard the same.

Batch, is well respected, by the club and the fans, and is very poplular.

He is also part of their leadership group.

I always saw him as captaincy material at Wakefield

Max was beaten to rookie of the year by TJ I believe.

https://wakefieldtrinity.com/matty-russ ... 5-recruit/

https://wakefieldtrinity.com/matty-russ ... 5-recruit/

Err, Wollo...time to eat some humble pie

Think that will pretty much round out the squad

One of those where I’m more than happy to see how it plays out. Powell and Mills obviously know more about him than I do, and who knows, maybe half a year out and a fresh start really will get him back to his best. Still can’t imagine he’ll be better cover than McGilvary, although that mightn’t have been in the club’s hands anyway. And just for reference, that announcement leaves our squad looking like below. Any position you’d still like to see strengthened?

1 Jowitt
2 Walmsley
3 Pratt
4 Hall
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 O Russell
8 Atoni
9 Hood
10 Rodwell
11 McMeeken
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Vagana
17 Niketemo

18 Kay

19 Rourke
20 Delaney
21 Booth
22 Croft
23 M Russell
24 Lino
25 Lawford
26 Shaw
27 Smith
28 Cozza
29 Griffin
30 Scott
31 Bain

32 Law
33 Brough
34 Lingard

Does the squad have enough SL standard depth at centre?

Good question. I’m not sure who’ll start the season in the centre out of Cam Scott and Corey Hall, but I see them as proven with plenty of room to grow still. Not world beaters, but could match most in SL at their best. Then we’ve Noah Booth who with a good preseason could be knocking on the door.

If I was being greedy I'd want a proven class centre

So for me it looks like this

1 Jowett
2 Walmsley
3 Scott
4 Pratt
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 Russell
8 McMeekan
9 Hood
10 Atoni
11 Vagana
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Rodwell
17 Niketemo

Fullback cover
Rourke Booth

Wing cover
Russell

Centre Cover
Hall Croft Law

Half back Cover
Lino Lawford Stephenson

Prop Cover
Shaw Bain Lingard

Hooker
Smith Kay

Second Row
Griffin

Loose
Cozza

Delaney
Brough

I think we are a bit light in the pack but plenty of players can cover multiple positions so I think that will be ok. We aren't going any bigger I wouldn't have thought.

I think we'll be fine if we need to go to squad number 25 but it starts to get weaker after that. But that's not much different to many teams

No he didn't, Max was awarded the Albert Goldthorpe Rookie of the Year Medal in 2016. Johnstone was the winner of the Super League Young Player of the Year in 2016.

Not many on here (me included) were thrilled with the Olpherts signing when he was announced, but for me I would have been happy to give him another year. Admittedly he has been up against Championship standard players this season and Superleague is obviously a significant step up but Russell is obviously coming as back-up to Tom and Lachy so maybe he will do something similar if the circumstances dictate it...I guess time will tell ??