I'm on record saying I like Franco.
His attitude alone stood him above others last year (though that's not really high praise)
I'd be happy enough if he started on the left but you'd assume he's 3rd in line for a spot.

He offers great utility across the backline.

The Saints game was a stinker seem to recall Hurrell running over the top of him early doors and his confidence seemed to vanish and the performance went from bad to worse.

I don’t see Jerry playing more than 75% of the games next year given his recent record so Franco could well have an important part to play when called upon.

Kershaw spotted training with Rhinos.

Yeah but was it the real Kershaw or just another bald player?

Telly Savalas?

No, too dead.

Defo looked like Kershaw, but if not I’ll have another stab at Duncan Goodhew seeing as though Telly is deceased.

The mighty Leeds. Olipherts and Kershaw on the wings.

They'll both be behind Fusitu'a and Handley.

Don't spoil it.

So, according to recent interview the shad is complete bar £100k set aside for a player (likely a middle).

The same interview states 1.3 million is spent. That actually seems like a lot considering what we’ve lost and that we are essentially running with 20 + 5 younger end players only 1/2 year out of academy.

Perhaps the 1.3 includes coaching staff which I envisage costs a lot more than last season.

Still on losing Fifita, Whitbread, Lineham, Lyne, Langi and not really replacing all seems like we’ve invested some wage increases with current players somewhere.

As for the squad itself. I think it’s a little light still for what will be a huge volume of games. I hope we don’t become unstuck of injuries kick in.

It appears on the face of it that we will be relying somewhat on dual registration to provide some cover and a player or two. I just hope they’re still available come the business end where it matters.

I certainly think though that we are short a pack leader and meter eater. The likes of Bain/Boothroyd/Cozza are really going to have to perform so I’m looking forward to seeing them.

Overall I think we are the strongest starting 17 in the championship but just 1/2 more quality players and some depth way from me feeling more comfortable.

I’m looking forward to the season and can’t wait!

On another note I’m actually surprised that we weren’t in for Thomas Mikeale who is trying to earn a deal in the top 30 in an Nrl team. He would have been a good prop addition and carries well. He was expecting to be at Wire too but that fell through.

What you also have to factor in is the deals done by previous regime, Lino, Jowett, Ashurst, Pitts, Gale all , I think, had deals done before Matt and his team took over, I imagine that they will account for a sizeable chunk of the £ 1.3 million

Did Hood get a new contract at start of the season as well My main worry is some of the spine is very slow in parts of it .Pace cost us our S L place last season in the spine when Max was out ,

Not so from what I understand. Jowitt and Lino agreed in principle to stay as part of the Ellis take over before it actually happened. Ellis money paid for Gale and Griffin. Don't know about Pitts, Hood, Kay or Ashurst, but nobody was going to bin Ashurst in his Testimonial year, how bad would that have looked.