Not strictly true, all contracts have get out clauses. However if another club were willing to take on the remainder of his contract then we would owe him nothing - other than IMHO a thank you. My point is that maybe there are SL clubs who want to take him on but not the contract and that is the problem. Loaning him to Fev may have paid for Lee Smith in the short term, who knows.

I can't see why we would want to let him go unless someone else was in the picture. I also can't see why he couldn't get another SL birth unless there is a big stumbling block in the way. We all seem to agree he has the ability even if it's not what Agar wants or quite as majestic as some would have us believe. So his terms are the only thing I can think of that would mean him leaving SL for a Championship club, all be it a very ambitious one.

It's all speculation as is 99% of whats on here no matter how some paint it so who knows.

And the other other side is that there is nothing wrong with his contract, he isn't going to Fev and he will be playing hooker next year.

Es young and British, I would keep him before Aiton, wood and Ellis have done a pretty good job without Aiton. Would love to keep all 3 but I can't see it, really hope he stays.

Andy Ellis is the best hooker at the club , by a mile.

Ellis at 9, Wood on the bench, Aiton playing as a second rower or loose forward.

End of.

I'm still not a 100% certain on wood. i think he's a seven and would give good cover if retained in case anything happened to Smith, whilst also being the replacement hooker.
Still a lot of improving to do, especially in defence, a bit of a project player still for me. better than i thought he would be and could be a very useful player at this level.

I'd interchange Ellis and Aiton, with Aiton able to play as a running back-rower later in the game if needs be. Plus we'd have squad cover if Washbrook ever got injured.

I'm not convinced on Wood personally. Does the odd good thing but think generally is a weakness in our line-up that will get exploited more next season (which is why i think Agar seemed reluctant to use him for any significant minutes earlier in the season).

Agreed.

Not end off. Those dismissing Aiton have very short memories indeed. At the start of the season he was dragging us through games all by himself and those dismissing him now were the same one who were spitting feathers when he didn't get the 9 spot for the exiles - fickle isn't the word.

Also to dismiss another myth IMHO our form started before Ellis and built up with a win at the millenium and a very unlucky loss at Warrington - at which point Aiton was a hero. For me it's Sykes much to my amazement who was the missing piece of the jigsaw not Ellis.

He was good enough to be a hooker in the NRL and for PNG. It's a matter of opinion whether Ellis is better than Aiton, but those who dismiss Aiton as "never a no9" should frankly take a good look at themselves and show some respect for both the player and the coach.

This is my opinion which is as valid as yours and anyone elses - so not an end of - thanks.

This.

Agree on both points.

This - end of.

Keep em both for me. Not sure we have many other halfs coming through at moment that can step up. If anything it keeps them playing for the position and makes them work harder on any weaknesses in their games.

Spot on Vastman lad.

Aiton played the full 80 minutes in the pack at the Man City ground, with the weather that was some feat.