Why slag Dagger off, he’s not dead wood, he’s a good player. Don’t understand the need to slag him off, it’s not his fault we need a FB and this is the only way we can do it.

You do realise he’s a Trinity product, part of our scholarship team in 2015 - god enough for Warrington to pay him a huge signing on fee.

But he was deadwood at KR wasn't he?

He was 3rd choice and he wasn't playing games. He was dispensable.

At Trin he's not deadwood and I agree we should back him.

But, this one stings given the circumstances.

No matter how good or bad Dagger may be we still badly need that No.6.

My initial reaction was the same as everyone else's, but I understand this could be a very good deal for Wakey - time will tell.

And that's all I have to say on this matter.

Can you honestly see me forgetting something like that.

Another "Will" left us at the same time to join Hull KR but his surname escapes me at the minute.

While this could prove a decent transfer (yet to be seen) it still highlights two things to me.

1. How successful our academy is and has been. KR are turning to trinity homegrown players to build for the future in - Hall, Aydin, Batchelor and have just had one for a number of years in Dagger. It’s testemebt to our academy which is a resounding success.

2. The inability to kick on from our successful season 5 years ago where we had players making dream team and were a daunting fixture for a number in the league. We have eroded year on year since then in terms of future planning for the squad and marketing the club especially. There are some reasons sure but it’s a real shame we couldn’t kick on and build. With the new development we may be able to do this next year but we need to survive short te this season. It’s not going to be east but I do still think there is enough quality with what we have to not be bottom at the end.

Whichever way you look at it. Hull KR ultimately have benefitted from our declining situation over the last few years.

That is absolutely no reason to give up. It’s more a reason to fight and evolve the business that is Wakefield Trinity to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

That's the guy. Thanks.

Just checked Wiki. He was offered a pro contract by 9 different clubs, including us, when in our scholarship set up. Chose Hull KR. Was at York last season.

What I don't get is whats in this for HKR, I wouldn't say Hall has any obvious route into the first team at this moment.

Possibly long term planning, they have the money to do that

exactly this! they have money and a a longer term strategy

1 it weakens us
2 they have an old centre whole probably retire next year.

They don't need to weaken us, they are a cut above by some way IMHO.

As regarding the centre, I'm not convinced long term that's where Halls future is, but short term he's a great boast for them.

Truth is that so long as Dagger is here for the right reasons, he is more the player we need now than Hall, even if Hall possibly has a bigger future.

It's a crying shame to lose him, but we need a FB, we only had one to start with so it was always a risk.

Robbie Butterworth for me is a H/B which is where he's played the most. The ability to take the high ball under pressure (pressure the key word) is just one of those gifts that some have and some don't. I'm sure he can practice and get better but I don't think he's naturally comfortable with it and I say that based on previous games not just last week. In truth one of the bombs he dropped was virtually unplayable anyway so I don't want to be too harsh.

Could be wrong and that could be his Murphy moment, but Mash just can't risk it, we need security at the back more than anything else at the moment.