How old is Trueman compared to Hookem?
Unless we’re looking at Hookem to switch to hooker?

Hopefully we’re making moves to lower the age of the team and bring more of the young players through

Trueman is 23/24. Hookem is 19/20

Fans want a winning team end of

Johnstone, bowden etc have loads of effort and commitment but simply aren't good enough

The fans just like effort and commitment argument is a massive lie

Professional sport is about winning end of

Excellent post,

If Mellor and Truman have signed, unless the club think either Litten or Balmforth are ready, then I think we definitely need a FB and hooker IMO, even if we kept Houghton, another hooker would allow Lovodua as LF.

I'd definitely looking at young fringe NRL players who can get visas.

For me Shaul, Ma'u, Houghton, Bowden, Johnstone and Gale need to go.

That would give us alot of cap to play with and could easily bring in 4 players to improve the 17.

Saying all this, I expect both Gale and Houghton to sign one year contracts and us to sign Mellor, Truman and another overseas player, hopefully a pilot.

If we go with

Connor
Truman
Gale
Houghton

As our pivots next season, I don't see much improvement.

Reynolds?

Is money so tight we're looking to save money flying to France?!

Yes missed him off, he would be first to go actually,, that's alot of cap to play with.

How much cap would not renewing

Reynolds, Shaul, Gale, Ma'u, Houghton, Bowden and JJ give us?

Thats got to be at least 1/4 of the cap, probably more.

Got to be, is say Ma'u, Houghton, Gale and Reynolds all on 6 figures.

I'd guess that those 7 wouldn't be far off a 1/3 of our cap.

If we resign Houghton for next season it'll show the club is still too sentimental.

Hodgson had the guts to move on Fonua and Sneyd in the off season, we should do the same with Houghton. Plus the others you've mentioned.

I'm unsure on Gale, I'd think I'd keep him and can sign a utility half/hooker from aus/uk

I'd be tempted to look for another middle too, and use Lane at back row nest season. Herman Esse'Esse is playing well in the Q Cup but isn't getting any game time for the GC Titans.

As much as I like Mitch, I'd contemplate releasing him too. We need a bit more flair and pace in the backline either Jack Broadbent or Tee Ritson could fit the bill. Particularly Broadbent he's young and can play 1-5, this would allow us to push Griffin to SR or Jake to the halves if we needed.

Let's say Trueman and Mellor have signed. I'd still like us to bring in another 2-3 players to come into the 17

Yes me too, if Gale stays, I wouldn't sign another halfback, I'd go with Truman, Gale, McNamara and Hookem.

If we can get Taylor fit (I know its a big if) then I'd have Sao at 13.

I don't like Lane at 13, think his best games have been out wide.

As you say I big test of Hodgson, got some tough decisions to make, but if wants his contract renewed he needs to make these.

I'll be disappointed if we don't make the top 6 this year, if we don't from the position we are in now, such a a near fully fit squad at a key time then I'll be disappointed.