But adding another average Joe if he is coming on say a 2year deal doesnt help at all in the next recruitment cycle.We are now overloaded with additions on 2/3 year contracts and several of those would have to be offloaded end of 2025 season if we are to add some necessary real quality and pace especially at centre,and add some depth in second row and front row
Just dont see the logic or strategy because unless we offload or pay off players then we are left with virtually the same squad we have in 2025 playing in 2026
If the club has money to spend then save it and find one or two top quality players who can provide some excitement on the field get fans interested again and start pushing into the top four

my only real issue with cross is that it will likely be a 2 or 3 year deal meaning we have him, hardaker and chamberlain here at least for 25 & 26, possibly 27 for 2 of them when none are really at the level of player we would ideally like. Centre is a key attacking position and along with 2nd row, one of our weaker areas which limits potential to improve there for another 3 or 4 years

For me the weaker positions are Chamberlains and Briscoes. Briscoe will hopefully (cos he's finished) be understudy to Martin so if we get Cross he would be first choice ahead of Chamberlain so in improvement imo

Agreed. The highlights don’t actually lie, Pele, Okunbor and Bienek are all big units capable making for a semi decent highlight reel. This highlights don’t show the serious issues with fitness, work rate etc those players had at SL level. At least with Cross he has the highlights with the footwork, speed, finishing but we also know that he’s managed to consistently play well for 3 seasons in a SL side that’s always in and around the play offs, those other players didn’t have that track record.

Now that the chance of a marquee level overseas centre (would have been my priority) has sailed Cross would tick all the boxes for a realistic signing. Like I say I think we’ll struggle to pull it off as I think he’ll be in demand by lots of clubs.

100% see that logic and personally I wouldn’t have gone for Hardaker (age) and Chamberlain on multi year deals for that exact reason. I think Cross though is the type of player who could maybe step up a level or two, he’s a late bloomer in his career. I also think we have to look at what’s available in context to other SL clubs. Keighran and Wardle are the benchmark best centre combo in SL, top players but when you compare to some of the top SL centres over the years the level has definitely dropped. I just don’t see where the centres the quality of prime Seniors, Lyon, Watkins, etc would be available to any SL club. Even any homegrown superstars will be snapped up by the NRL nowadays in their early 20s.

It’s a tough one, however we are not going to go from 11th to Top 4 in a season. Think we all realistically expect 8th at best next season and then kick on from 2026.

I think Cross will be a decent addition. There appears no scope to add top quality for 2025. As I’ve mentioned before, other than the halves, our Centres have been a real weakness in recent years. Primarily due to fitness, Carlos and Sutty hardly played together and the back up options were not Super League standard.

Cross is a no risk upgrade. He’s played in the Super League and if he’s fit and can give us 20+ games next season, then that gives us some much needed stability and allows a more settled team which in turn should deliver improved results.

I’m sure they’ll be a review if all contracts during 2025. Although not ideal, we now have more funds to move on players if necessary to improve the squad further for 2026.