Yeah it's a bit distasteful but at the end of the day, if we don't cash in, then the other teams in the comp will and we will be left behind. It's not really "raping" Bradford either, because they can't afford to keep the players and they NEED to sell.

I was a vocal critic of Shudds' smash and grab tactics when we were in the mire and noted that we received little or no sympathy from the rest of the mythical 'RL family.'

Since that time, my attitude is that our club should do what's best for WTW and let the rest take care of themselves.

Bradford already have a bid on the table from Warrington for Bateman, and considering they're expected to go into Admin you'd have thought they'd have accepted it.

They've known for a while they were making a loss of 100k a month and they've done nothing to reduce the figure. Infact they offered Whitehead a 5 year deal and then begged their fans for funds when they knew it'd make no difference apart from saving the previous directors. If they go into admin, then i see no reason why we shouldn't bid for one or two of their players as they cannot support their wages

spot on

Sadly everyone else will be taking part in the open season on Bradfords players should the worst happen so we have to do whats best for us and join the vultures.

there was only one reason Whitehead got a 5 yr deal and that was to hope that a bid came before media knowledge got hold of the dire situation that was happening at the Bulls.
I can remember Sam Burgess stating that when he was going down under that he want Bradford to get a good deal through his contract termination
its a canny move that I think won't help Bradford as when they go into admin his contract won't be worth the paper its written on.
the club still seem to think that they can make it to the end of the season and win the super league to regain some monies

Pretty much how I feel about the affair.

Whilst I agree that most clubs had no scruples at all, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Tony Smith at Warrington criticised them for their attitude and the "smash and grab" stopped. Let's give credit where it's due.

However there was no great "groundswell of support" in terms of money raising etc. for us so I can't feel too generous towards the RL family. Let's just wait and see what may be on offer and, if it suits, then go for it.

I like Tony Smith and for the most part, he does a good job of presenting an affable and reasonable image to the media; I'd argue though that the reason the smash and grab ended was nothing to do with his intervention and everything to do with the fact that by then, all the players that anyone else wanted were already well and truly smashed and indeed grabbed.

Back on the topic of picking up players for next season - the spanner in the works could well be Leeds' increasingly obvious need for a fairly severe overhaul; for starters, given that their ageing pack is massively underperforming, I'd expect Amor to be back with them next season. Equally, if Kopzcak is on the market, I'd imagine they'd be looking at him too.

I expect it's going to be a very interesting few months in terms of player movements, with some surprises in store.

I'd probably agree with all that. Interesting comment on Amor - I'd almost forgotten that part of the deal. Do Leeds have to make their mind up by sometime in July?

From October 2011 - 'Amor, who had one year left on his original 3-year deal with the Rhinos, will become a Wakefield player with immediate effect. However, the Rhinos have the option, which they must give notice on by next July, to take up the second and third year of the new contract.'

Think its a no brainer with Leeds poor pack performances recently and Amor playing well that they'll made the decision next month to take him and splash the cash for Kopchak. They'll probably try and off load Clarkson/Kirke to WTW.

Just out of interest looking at the bradford game who would we want .No one stood out to me .

Didn't see the full game but heard Tom Burgess had an impact when he came on and he would be a good addition although the big four of Wigan, Leeds, Warrington and St.Helens will be looking at him I'd have thought. He's a big unit at 6 ft 5 tall and 18 1/2 stone.

That particular Burgess is still pretty raw and has quite a few mistakes in his game - no questioning the fact though that he's a massive human and capable of doing a lot of damage.

Contrary to what vastman alluded to last week, Sam Burgess has said in the Aussie press since then that Tom probably will go to Souths, so there's every chance that they could be fielding 4 Burgesses; not sure Mr Crowe is making the right choice there myself, but good luck to them.

I think there's going to be a bunfight for decent props and with top drawer Aussies harder to come by for those clubs to whom the salary cap actually applies, things could get interesting.

With Smith only on a one year deal, Sykes only on a Loan spell and with Isaac John not quite up to scratch. is there not anyone thinking Jarrod Sammut ?