If Frank goes we are light in the pack. I felt with how the season ended that we struggled up the middle in the final third of the season, and that will only be compounded with FP. Thought we had first dibs on Moa but he's cone to Catalan. We seem to have an abundance of cover in the backs, yet a couple of injuries in the pack and we may well struggle

I'd disagree, it allows Hadley to step up into the regular first 17 which he is deserving of. The four props will be Watts, Taylor, Green and Bowden. Back row will be covered by Manu, Minichiello, Ellis, Hadley, Washbrook, Thompson.

We also have the likes of Fash, Downs, Osborne, Matongo and in particular Turgut who are all now ready for their chance. If anything, we've got more than enough options in the pack, and the club have used this opportunity to strengthen an area where we DO need a focus, which is at 6.

Pritchard leaving and Kelly arriving will give us a bit more money to play with too. Could that mean Micheals doesn't stay and another winger joins? Sio has been mentioned...

I totally agree with this. If Michaels goes we have Naughton or Fonua to play on the wing and hopefully enough cap to bring in an impact forward from the NRL. Someone like Micky Paea would do nicely

Totally agree, our strength on the reserves is in the forwards, there are loads ready to step up and get some game time, this is exactley how Wigan run there squad are are so successful.

Matongo didn't look out of place when he got a few games in 2015, and I don't go to u23s but that Ross Osborne looks absolutely massive. Hope he runs his weight.

Ken Sio has signed for Newcastle Knights.

I don't think anyone really thought we would sign him, his wife went home a few months ago to have twins and good enough to command a good salary in the NRL, no idea why he signed for Rovers in the first place, bit of a wasted two years.

Tony has stated in the league express that there would be one more signing, so i reckon it's Frank out and Kelly and Michaels in.

If Frank goes I'd be disappointed if the only signing is Kelly. We'd have a huge amount left on the cap to pay for an upgrade on Michaels (Who has yet to sign). AP said we would sign another outside back but I suppose things change.

Wonder if part of his salary was covered by the Bulldogs?
If that was due to run out, could be a reason why we're looking to change things about?

Could be handy having a decent chunk available mid-season.

Assuming we do sign Kelly, lose Frank & re-sign Michaels, we don't look particularly short of numbers in any one position. It could be that they keep some of their powder dry in case of injuries, or after a few games see where it's apparent we need strengthening.

Hooker is potentially an issue should Houghton get injured, but it appears he's made out of steel, with Litten perhaps ready for some game time next year(?).


Perhaps another prop/13. We have a great starting three in Taylor, Watts & Ellis. A fairly decent bench of Bowden, Green, Washy, Tommo as cover, but after that we're onto the youngsters should we have a couple of injuries.

$300k was paid by the Bulldogs for 2016 according to reports when he signed for us. His Bulldogs contract at the time was a reported $650k a year, so if that's true it's fair to assume we still had to pay a decent amount. Plus, he was registered as a Marquee player (one of only two in SL I believe, Tomkins being the other) - I'm not sure what the benefit would be having him as a marquee player if on less than the £175k band.

Maybe the value of the £ has effected Frank's decision? Using the reported $650k as a basis:

$650kAUS when the signing was announced in June15 the exchange was around 2.04:1, so roughly £319k.

That £319k now is worth around $510kAUS at 1.6:1.