I’m going to have to disagree with the decision to keep Mini & Sika for a further year, I know how good they have been, and what fantastic players and role models they both are, probably on reflection the best pair of second rows to have played together in a Hull shirt for me.

But maybe this decision has been made because there is at present no adequate replacements for these two greats, in my humble opinion, without prejudice, I feel Sika and Mini have already given everything for us, there is a fine line to replace players, hope I’m wrong and they go another year, sorry to go against the majority of our fine black & white posters.

I agree, both have done well, but injured too often. We may as well bring Ellis out of retirement.

Quota spots and a chunk of salary on both, as you say, can't have been other options. If we give Washbrook another year as well then a lot of fans will seriously consider a season pass.

But, like you, I hope to be proven wrong.

No no no, as a true Hull fan, no matter which decision our club makes, I stand by them “in any kind of weather” and not renewing season passes is a ridiculous comment.

Only Connor has played more games than Mini this season, and there are plenty with similar playing records to Manu.

mini injured to often

I tend to agree.

Mini only missed two games this year, hardly too many injuries and I don't think anyone in the current squad resigning will be a deal breaker as far as season tickets are concerned myself! Its all a question of balance between the old head role model culture makers and the young lads who have to learn and do so twice as quickly with such mentors around the place. All teams need steadying influences and these guys fall into that category. I agree though that there is little out there to sign that is better than what we have both ability and attitude wise at present. Westerman is the only piece not in place now for 2019 for me.

hope you are right and Mini and Manu go well next season. Happy to be wrong if it isn't a season too far for both.

To be fair thinks its a good move by the club to re sign both Mini & Manu particularly in the current climate in terms of available players that would be a step up from them. Both are professional and excellent mentors for the younger players both on and off the field.

I would say taking SC and available players in to account to replace both Mini & Manu the club have made a quantified decision as to securing new deals with them is the best option for the club to carry on moving forward. We can't as fans doubt the decisions as since AP appointed LR as Head Coach the recruitment has been pretty much spot on.

Also think its important to realise that both Mini & Manu have not been 100% fit and probably played when they should have been on the sidelines but due to the injuries sustained this season have played on out of necessity (similarly to Taylor).

It also gives the club and Ellis time to find quality replacements for these two for 2020

I would expect both Mini and Manu to be on same if not reduced contracts with all due respect to them, Connor will have have got a decent increase I imagine otherwise they'll have been a few clubs sniffing around, not sure if the club/player have an increment for getting an international cap (I presume it was classified as such?) As others have mentioned we would have had to uprate Kelly to keep hold of him which puts us right near to the max on the cap IMHO. Washbrook to move on and his salary used for Bienek.

So are we deffo saying Westerman to sign up for next year on a one year, he's done okay but want to use him more effectively to match his strengths. Maybe with a fit squad we can use him more like he should be as he did for Warrington under Smith when he was by far the best 13 in the country that season.

I agree that we should release Washbrook.We have been too loyal to some players when it comes to the end of their contract
A good signing for his utility roles,he and Turgut should be released as we have players next season who can step into what were their roles.
Downs is worth keeping on and i think he will develop into a good second row if he keeps playing regularly with Doncaster or a Championship club and filling in at Hull when required.He is fast for a second row and will have another preseason to bulk up.
Cant see a role for Abdull or Ross Osborne.

I would doubt very much Manu is on a reduced contract after the apparent NRL interest.
Chuffed he's prolonging his adventure with us.

Manu is 31 and has years left in him. He could have easily got a contract at an NRL club when you look at some of the rubbish that comes over here from oz who have been at NRL clubs

Easily got a contract, I don't think so, where's your evidence of that? Not a single club made a legitimate offer, if there had been one he'd have taken it in a heartbeat. He's a very good SL player but he's the wrong side of 30 and that is reflected in only getting a one year contract extension. IF the club thought he was worth it/stopping NRL coming in for him we'd have signed him for 2 years or longer.