So the 2024 shopping list thread has now ran its course.

Let's get one started for the 2025 shopping list.

First of all we have players off contract at the end of this season.

Mint and Carlos are sure to be gone (the last of the cup kings)

We then have Mcintosh, Scott, Cator, Jack Brown, Nu Brown, Balmforth, Barron, Laidlow and Hoy (1 year option) off contract. Those are the question marks of should they stay or go?

Litten and Martin have shown me enough at a young age to be given a contract so far. I'd like to get those two tied down.

As for coming in. Well for me it's leadership needed. Shaun Johnson is off contract at the end of the year and with Hargreaves coming to the Hull area, Kenny Dowell already here and Nu Brown as another possibility to be here, then Shaun Johnson would feel at home in that company of people he knows. He's exactly what we need. A top half back and a leader.

We also need a good three quater. Looking at the out of contract players. Gagai is another veteran but would bring us some experience and leadership.

But Shaun Johnson is my number 1 target, even if it's only for a season. He'll be so valuable to bringing the potential out in Truman and will be someone the young half backs coming through can use as a sponge. He'll also be great for our first team.

It must be bad if we are doing a shopping list for 2025 in March!

It is bad. Where have you been?

As much as it would be amazing, signing Shaun Johnson is a pipe dream imo, even from a financial perspective it would be difficult to afford him.

From the list above I'd look to retain:
Scott- 2 yrs
J. Brown- 2 yrs
Balmforth- 2 yrs
Laidlaw- 1yr
Mcintosh- 2yrs

Can't see Nu Brown staying past this year and reckon Hoy will be off too. We need to be looking at a centre (squad player) a proper 7, minimum 1 hooker, 1 second row and a loose man.

The reason that I'm dreaming of us signing Shaun Johnson for next year is because we have either Morgan Smith or a hooker in Nu Brown as our half back for this year.

Most of us know that this season is a write-off when that's your half back options.

He's 34. We have the wages of our last two captains, Mint and Carlos , to offer him. Who's gonna give Johnson a better deal than that at his age?

A decent quality NRL half back not a hooker who occasionally plays half back because of injuries.

Release Hoy, walker is the first choice now and Trueman is our first choice 6 and no point keeping him, waste of a quota spot and I imagine a high salary.

Release McIntosh - not seen enough of him in his 2/3 years to say he's good enough

Potentially release Cator, too injury prone and doesn't add much beyond tackling - struggles to make ground

Probably release Barron if Lewis Martin continues to progress.

I've got a feeling we might also be looking to move okunbor on at the end of the season too if he continues to fail to impress.

Exactly. That's why we should be searching for a half back now not leaving it until November after all the best options have gone.

Clifford as HB. Danny Levi as hooker?

Certainly wont be a Marks and Spencer shopping list

McIntosh - let go
Tuimavave - let go
N Brown - will leave
Houghton - retire
Hoy - probably let go
Cator - probably let go
Mitch - probably let go
J Brown - worth another year
Scott - worth another year
Martin - keep
Balmforth - keep
Severs - keep
Jebson - keep
Litten - let go
Barron - let go
Laidlaw - let go

Scrum half
Hooker
Centre
Winger
Back rower needed

Marquee signings please.

Cator, hoy, carlos, houghton, and try and move lane on.gives us some good cap to work with.

Bring in a hooker to compliment balmforth.

An organising halfback with a kicking game.

Either a loose forward or a second row then play sao loose forward, rather than fash.

Bullock maybe on a 1 year deal depending how he goes.

Were owed some.marquee level.signings now imo.

The fans have been more than loyal, and theres been alot of income.to the club

I'd be keeping an eye on Will Pryce at Newcastle. I'm not convinced he'll crack the NRL but he's an English half who could be available in the next 12/24 months

Not being funny but how do you know it won’t be?…the Covid loan will be gone,we may have a investor,new owner,AP. Hold back us to the hilt…you just don’t know…none of these may happen and then yeah,it may be lesser known players but until then,why don’t you try and be a bit positive or are you so cheesed off your just a permanent moaner???

Lol I suppose if we kidnapped Leon and threatened him with sleeping with the fishes, we could get Will, but I’m afraid with the royal bank of AP exasperated we’ve more chance getting Vincent.

I'd definitely keep Litten, and probably Barron, won't be on hardly anything salary cap wise, both offer decent bank up and shouldn't be written off yet.

I’m sure we will be doing our due diligence and scouting the NSW & Q Cup with the change to visa rules…….

From SL a player I’d like to see us go for is Ben Davies from Saints

Barring his try vs Toulouse, yet to see anything in Barron. Looks a liability every time he’s under a high ball. Litten although he started bright with bags of enthusiasm, he looks too light, can’t defend and doesn’t have the passing game to be a full back. Just don’t see anything them ever being SL standard.

The main question for recruitment for next season is Pearson skint??…A few on here are saying effectively that he is but how do they know or is it a case of us being penny wise this season or him admit that the Covid loan has bit us harder than he thought and before anybody says other clubs had the loan…a few of the clubs owners are wealthier than AP so they rode it out better.Just be interesting to see other people’s thoughts on it and prepared for the usual y remarks off som.

I don't think AP is skint as such. I think the amount that has to be paid back on the Gov Loan (COVID loan) is why we are so much under the salary cap this season. To help pay that off and not increase debts by spending big and repaying that large loan.

Not forgetting, before COVID, we were one of the very few clubs that were making a profit (small profit, but still a profit)

With the Gov loan payed off, then a successful agreement with the stadium lease,.we should then be much more attractive to potential investors.

Two things to consider for those advocating letting some of your young squad players go.
First, is there better coming up below them to take their place?
Second, if the tackling rules come in next year as expected then squad depth is going to be very important as it'll be bans galore so unless we can get better cover in for the same money then they are worth keeping on imo.

Need to get Staverley tied down.

You’re driving me mad Dave, there’s no R in Staveley!!!!!

Any word from the DJ on recruitment today?