Why didn't he sign before the previous deadline ?

Presumably because the offer was far less than a starting super league fullback would expect, even considering we probably pay the smallest wages in the league. How many players do you think sign the first deal offered to them? I would say it is a very small number and agents wouldn't be doing the best for their clients if that is the case.

ridiculous to the think something like this would happen 70 days without even contacting each other

For me, best players are, when fit,

Johnstone
Fifita
Tupou
Ashurst

in that order, which actually does show how hard injuries have hit.

I'd put Hampshire somewhere in the next band but wouldn't argue at 5th spot on current form.

He is, however, the most versatile player at the club who has played well at FB/Wing and HB and could easily play hooker as well. You can't knock that for me and if I were a coach I'd consider that such a huge plus for any player.

The reason I don't include him in the top 4 is simple and nothing to do with his ability which is subjective anyway. It's simply that IMHO, when fit those four players are automatic choices and would be at most SL clubs. Hampshire is yet to do that when he does he gets my vote.

Daddycool as said he is willing to let the saga go public if the agent is .After what he as done for the club think the fans should leave it to Daddycool.Agents are spoiling all sports they do not care about the club they are just interested in what is in it for them.Still some way to catch football up one agent made 20 million out of one transfer

That is the key point. Who would be in for Hampshire? Salford, HKR, Hudds, London? Hardly an upgrade.

That's why I had to question Belly's assertion as it's clearly not true. As Lennon said about Ringo, 'he's not even the best drummer in the Beatles'. Those four have nailed their positions, Rocky hasn't yet and he's had a few chances. Not saying he won't be but not yet.

I didn't see the word 'blame' mentioned by DC, he was just stating the facts as they were.
I think it would be very naive to think that once an offer is made by the club, then you can sit on it for as long as you wish. Rocky is an adult, advised by his agent ( and please don't infer he is not aware of the time that should be taken to respond to an offer, even IF Rocky isn't) quite clearly if an offer is made then it is up to the player to respond in a reasonable time. I say all that and stick by it but I want Rocky to sign!

Think the issue about rocky should be the least of our issues/worries at moment.we are in big danger of losing more than him. Relegation is very much a possibility if not a probability at the moment and should it occur it wouldnt make z bit of difference should he sign now or not as it would be void along with many others

I suppose a question also has to be how long do we wait for him to make his decision? If we won’t or can’t offer more the club needs to set a final date otherwise we run the risk of messing up other areas of our recruitment, including potentially a replacement for him.

The club set a date and it has passed.

You may be right but, you would also expect that it wasn't a pay cut ?

From the outside looking in, it appears that he didn't sign because he thought that he could do better and that now, having probably been offered to other clubs, he feels that Trinity may still be his best option, for now, but, the deadline has passed AND maybe because of the lack of commitment, we have signed a different FB (Walker) for next season ? Is this similar to why we signed Reynolds last season ?

If he is reluctant to commit himself and hasn't responded in 70 days, how does that sit with the article in LE where he allegedly claimed that he was very keen to stay with Trinity? Or has there been another avenue that he was exploring that has suddenly gone sour on him?

He can't win can he.
It would be unprofessional to give any details.
The 85 day thing is already in the public domain as the RFL rules mandate it.

It's just as hard to believe that a player can attend the club almost every day and never sit down with anyone to discuss his contract.
I'm sure we'd all be calling out DC if he waited and didn't sign anyone only for Hampshire to never sign and leave us with a big gap in the team.
We all know the process because DC explained it on here.

Maybe all these with inside knowledge of Rocky's intentions and his contract details on here should have had a word with him.

I seem to recall Rocky left it late to sign last season.