From what I've heard he was wanting to step up to 1st team, hasn't got that so has left to test himself at a higher level to help with his development. Who knows the exact details, but good on him for taking control of the situation


My point is that there were quite a few raving about this lad and there was a general consensus (not necessarily on this forum) that he was one to get the nod. Just surprised no one else has picked up on it.

Meant to add, I don't agree with that statement, better maybe but far better, that's extremely unfair from what I saw last year as for me the strength of the team was that they played for each other without any huge standouts.

It looks like Issac Shaw may have just got the nod for promotion in front of Ruan? Added to Eseh, Bowes, O’Donovan, Murphy, Windrow and Hall that's quite a batch of last years U19s amongst that 1st team squad. I know Hall is slightly different.

It's impressive, can't be many SL teams promoting more?

There isn’t one. On average we look to promote 2 a year. Over 8 years that’s 16 players. I reckon about 6 have got some runs on the board. Shows just how hard it is and it’s not all about ability.

The difficulty is with his kind of player, to decide whether he's going to be as effective against men as he is against boys.
He's a big lad who bounces opposition around but I saw some smaller forwards being him down too.
You've got to remember he's positioning himself as a Tanginoa. Developing at Doncaster will in my opinion give himself chance to mature and find out. Could be great if he applies himself.

I can think of loads of players who have left us and then come back to haunt us, Ellis and Westwood to name but two. But these were players who wanted to leave to join what were better clubs at the time, we knew they were good we just couldn’t retain them.

What I’m struggling to think off is the last Reece Lyne we had or a Ryan Atkins. Players discarded by their parent club who were picked up by another club and went onto great things.

Greg Eden at a massive pinch??? But I’m pushing it. I may be missing someone glaringly obvious but I can’t think who.

I’ll be interested to hear of any but in truth it seems to be an urban myth.

I've read a few times that Westwood was as shocked as the rest of us when Ted cashed in. At the time he seemed not a great loss though, especially as we kept hold of Ellis, and remained nothing special for a season or two before hitting his straps at Wire. The simultaneous loss of Nathan Wood was the real crime.
Kerching!

Not quite how I heard it but that doesn’t mean I’m right.

Westwood got matey with Wood who put a word in for him to join him at Warrington. He was happy to do so because he and Peter Roe didn’t get on. Westwood was of course right as Roe was probably the most out of his depth coach we ever employed. Don’t think Ted had a great deal to do with the Westwood but he did cash in on Wood.

Before my time I’m afraid

This time the club had no choice but to obtain the most they could. I believe the decision to leave was his. He never returned after half time in a game against Leeds which was his request and this was the same reason why he felt a change was required.

What about Alan Hunte, I think he played three first team games then signed for Saints. The lad we have just signed he left us went to Wigan then Leeds and back to us albeit we payed a transfer fee. I suppose he could be one who got away and we are having to pay to get him back.

For reasons other than talent, Danny Brough.

Not at the same level as Ellis and Westwood, but Kyle Wood went after a few first team games, Paul March, but I guess he was more of a first team player,

So that’s it then.

A player who left nearly thirty years ago and a scholarship player who never signed a contract.

So agreed, total and utter myth that young players we let go come back to haunt us.

For me last season is before my time. When a player leaves he leaves and generally I wish him well but it’s his replacement I’m interested in. Look forwards not back. Each team and it’s players should be judged mainly on the what they do this season not last. It’s how I’d like to be judged

Something like that.

Didn’t Westwood score a try but didn’t attempt to put it under the sticks and Roe openly criticised him?

It was a definite clash.

I can only remember Hunte playing for us once against Batley in a cup game but still as an amateur as he was already earmarked to sign pro for Saints. Slightly O/T but I worked with his dad at that time and he used to lend me his players card to get in away games for free. We were like twins



Leeds released Hall to make way for that Simpson kid.

He couldn’t complete the game through cramp if that helps?

Mind you, his opposite centre was the standout player in the game. Wonder who that was…….

Thought that was before your time

I was talking about Leon Ruan vs Leeds last year? Unless I’ve picked up the wrong thread?

When you say you believe the decision to leave was his, is that your opinion or taproom gossip or do you know for certain or more likely a guess, It's either his or the clubs decision my guess is you flipped a coin and made it all up.

Got a bit mixed. I thought Scarlett was on about Westwood.

That’s just it in a nutshell, very few people ever really know why players and coaches do what they do, there are always two sides.

Also people have this odd idea that all players are the same and they aren’t. They mirror society and come in all personality types.

Some very much are the noble yet humble warrior type. Others are complete knobs and everything in in-between and being able to throw a rugby ball around won’t change that.

From this mix of flawed human being a club has to forge a team of highly motivated and well drilled players.

Anybody think that sounds easy? I don’t.

For me the letting a player go and missing out only apply if they wanted to stay.

Hunte is a good example of a Wakefield lad being successful elsewhere but he was never really ours.

Of the youngsters that cause a fuss when we don't keep them on, I can't remember anyone that proved the coach wrong.

Michael Hunte, Alan's dad had the makings of a very good winger, way back - probably late 60s? I think injury ended his career.