Most definitely an annual grading.

To me pricing out of NRL players isn’t a bad thing.

We are still going to pick up players like Fifita, French, Field, Croft, Hastings, Arona, Etc, we are just increasing the instances of lower quality player coming over. Players who are on the fringes of NRL will generally meet the criteria to come over they will have had a crack and not quite made it.

To me increasing the pool (effectively lowering the standard of it also) simply puts up more barriers for the developing English players.

I’ve no doubt there will be some gems over there playing at that level, but I’m also sure there will be some gems already playing the game who if they get a chance will rise to the occasion.

For me the biggest difference between the players is athletic ability. The environments in which they are coached and investment in that area in Australia is superior.

This to me gives us another excuse not to focus on investing in that area at all levels because why would we when we can just dig into the overseas market.

At some point we have to grasp the nettle to grow the sport in this country, I personally think the way to do that is through international success.

That’s not going to happen quickly however this move in my opinion is another step away from achieving this.

The point is, we're not. What "new" players of this calibre have come in the SLE in the last 24months

The standard is being lowered because of the calibre/age of the players that are now "affordable and available".

Bringing in new young blood QC players is sensible as long as we don't flood the field with them, hence my agreement with your point in lowering the quota numbers

I don't really agree with either point.
Lowering the quota won't give us better quality imports, nor will it increase the quality of home grown players.

Neither will limiting or increasing the player pool.

I'm happy they are letting us bring more in. The sad fact is many players playing in these leagues are good enough for Super League.

I've never bought into 'holding back a young players development'
If they can't shift an average aussie, they aren't good enough......yet

The issue is still with the short term view of the clubs. You shouldn't have to put restrictions in place to get a club to develop their youth. They should be doing that anyway.
But that's why we now need IMG.

I'd rather incentivise development than restrict the imports if we are going to do something.

The last point is my point too.

Sadly though history has proven that clubs will not incentivise youth development if they have other options. This move for me increases clubs options.

As of this point in time, none of these have performed to the level and influence of the previous mentioned players and to a degree, some of those are fringe NRL players that only just qualify for a Visa under the current playing criteria

Circulating in the press we are targeting McMeeken for 2025.

That really would be a statement signing.

He was really good against Tonga and seems to be playing really well in the middle. Johnstone and mcmeekin would be amazing additions

I agree would be two cracking signings that.

I’m sure both deals are a long long way off with many hurdles to jump however just seeing us linked with 2 English international players in the press given we have just been relegated shows how far this club has come in the last few months.

It certainly would.

The Kasiano rumour isn't going away too.

One player elsewhere, that could be surplus to requirenents is Jordan Abdul, who is heading to France on a season long loan deal

I’m not sure on Kasiano but in the championship off the bench could give some punch. Would be a decent but very short term signing for 2024 only.

Wasn’t he carrying an injury and isn’t that the reason he was released? Sure I read that somewhere.

Not much real news coming out of the club following that initial saturation honeymoon period so I guess the hacks are happy to latch onto any rumour no matter how flimsy. That second half at Headingley didn't help.