I have confidence Max will stay. Whether he plays for England does not bother me as long as he keeps doing the business for us. IMO if Max maintains his progress with his defence, I wouldn't swap him for another fb in the game let alone SL. In response to previous comments Max was doing the business in SL years ago! AND he isn't a bad stand off!

All the postings have good points, but think on, max can afford not to sign & play out this season knowing he is on a free transfer @ the end of season, equally we as a club would have some thinking to do ? Maybe max is waiting to see if the RFL, grant him a benefit season this year ? This could be something he is waiting for ?

[quote="Start@1873":3usmkwll]All the postings have good points, but think on, max can afford not to sign & play out this season knowing he is on a free transfer @ the end of season, equally we as a club would have some thinking to do ? Maybe max is waiting to see if the RFL, grant him a benefit season this year ? This could be something he is waiting for ?[/quote:3usmkwll] As a doom monger, I'm not sure this is the one to cling to.

[quote="Start@1873":6mldaqn5]All the postings have good points, but think on, max can afford not to sign & play out this season knowing he is on a free transfer @ the end of season, equally we as a club would have some thinking to do ? Maybe max is waiting to see if the RFL, grant him a benefit season this year ? This could be something he is waiting for ?[/quote:6mldaqn5] He could...but I don't think Matt Ellis will play that game. If a player doesn't want to invest into his vision for the future, Ellis won't wait around wondering - he'll buy a replacement and move on.

Fair point. It's up to Max too on this. It's not just for us to pay no matter what. ......but personally I think he's worth a lot to us.

[quote="PopTart":icsxw8ze]Fair point. It's up to Max too on this. It's not just for us to pay no matter what. ......but personally I think he's worth a lot to us.[/quote:icsxw8ze] Yes, I agree. He can agree his worth with the club, or he can see what is on offer elsewhere. The new rules mean he can do that right now, no waiting, no messing. The club won't wait for ever though - if he plays a waiting game, I don't think Ellis will do the same.

its the first week in January... negotiations take time... whether to leave or stay in 2026... that takes time... however: - I see no speculation on possible suitors in the RL press - all the signings and retentions have been announced at a time that is strategically beneficial to the club - Currently MAX is an icon at the club... his performances in '25 with either enhance or break that status. - his most recent form has been as a standout player at championship level I kind of like that we don't have to be scared of players leaving or staying for money any more... if its right for both parties he will be a Trinity player in '26 and beyond... if it's not right for both parties then he won't.

Nothing to do with being a doom monger, just stating - discussing the current points, personally I am a big fan of max & I do hope we sign him on a 4 year deal in line with our team building. I also think that our full back line would be very potent with him. Up the trin.

Spook / Start, you are both correct. Plus for all we know, the deal may already be signed. What will be will be.

@Trojan Horse, @Pop Tart and @Butcher Will reply as one I think all of your comments are fair enough . I have no axe to grind and agree that he is a good player who can still improve . I also take note of your comments being different to other clubs who haven't seen him play week in and week out , and again you are absolutely right . With little or no coverage of the lower leagues , we weren't able to see his performances on a week by week basis . The one thing I feel that I have to mention is his outstanding effort to reach 500 season points and break the record . A fantastic achievement even at a lower level . The fact that he is even being mentioned as a possible England Full Back is testament to the progress he has already made, although at 27 it could be argued that it is difficult to measure at exactly what level he should be at now . I still have my own doubts about him being ahead of Evalds (in particular) and also Brierley , but that's just my opinion to be fair , we're not all going to agree . Perhaps I was being unkind to say that he hasn't yet reached SL standard , on the basis that you spent a season in the Championship and prior to that were at the lower end of the table during Max's earlier time in SL. I think we can all agree that it is going to be interesting to see how he goes this season and I wish him all the best (except for the 3 games against Cas of course.Hope he has a few off days against us haha)

Max was outstanding in 2024, has persevered when the likes of walker Hampshire et al were picked in front of him. However if he’s second in line as gb full back think it says more about the dearth of quality in British game. Championship player of the year is nice but both max and the other former championship player of year walmsley have a lot to prove at sl level. Realistically think we are the team most likely to give him a good deal, personally think talk of other clubs is just that - talk! Am sure he’ll be announced before long along with atoni

[quote="Kirmudgeonlyisback":2cw7eb0h]Max was outstanding in 2024, has persevered when the likes of walker Hampshire et al were picked in front of him. However if he’s second in line as gb full back think it says more about the dearth of quality in British game. Championship player of the year is nice but both max and the other former championship player of year walmsley have a lot to prove at sl level. Realistically think we are the team most likely to give him a good deal, personally think talk of other clubs is just that - talk! Am sure he’ll be announced before long along with atoni[/quote:2cw7eb0h] I like Atoni but he’s got much more to prove at SL level than Max who’s played 100 or so games in the comp and is known SL standard already. I like Atoni and he’s improved but I’ll be interested to see how him and Bain go at SL level.

[quote="Trojan Horse":3kpy6cyh]I like Atoni but he’s got much more to prove at SL level than Max who’s played 100 or so games in the comp and is known SL standard already. I like Atoni and he’s improved but I’ll be interested to see how him and Bain go at SL level.[/quote:3kpy6cyh] For me Atoni is there. He's played in SL and when he settled he really rocked defenses. And I think has got fitter. Bain is a question mark. We'll just have to see. He's had a slow start with injury but could be good for us.

[quote="PopTart":d2f7e3ii]For me Atoni is there. He's played in SL and when he settled he really rocked defenses. And I think has got fitter. Bain is a question mark. We'll just have to see. He's had a slow start with injury but could be good for us.[/quote:d2f7e3ii] I agree but I think he only actually got there for 1/3 of the season at the back end. He can do it but I want to see if he can do it consistently over a season. He’s capable. Bain is a question mark. I can see him playing more interchange 13.

[quote="Trojan Horse":1z7p017p]I agree but I think he only actually got there for 1/3 of the season at the back end. He can do it but I want to see if he can do it consistently over a season. He’s capable. Bain is a question mark. I can see him playing more interchange 13.[/quote:1z7p017p] I agree on Bain at 13 but he's got Pitts, Cozza and any of the middles when Powell plays them their. He's got a tough job to impress.

[quote="PopTart":3pe1xcrr]I agree on Bain at 13 but he's got Pitts, Cozza and any of the middles when Powell plays them their. He's got a tough job to impress.[/quote:3pe1xcrr] He does, it’s hard to see past Pitts for starting 13. Seems to be aging like a fine wine and looks fitter and stronger. There’s certainly healthy competition for interchange 13 like you say. Could be a handful fighting for it. Will make for a good competitive training attitude hopefully.