id say that there are better props in the second tier of the game!!!......at least we could get one, maybe not two...but jesus christ, to give radford a two year deal is a complete embarrasment to be fair, and as for dowes....he's the one who could be replaced no problem in my opinion...simply not good enough

Disappointed in Dowes getting another contract,

Would have rather used the money for Dowes's contract, to enable to recruit a quality overseas player in our remaining quota slot.and then promote Fitzgibbon or Lauaki to prop.

Give more game time to either Burnett,Kent or Cunningham.

Regarding Whiting would like him to be used in a more pivotal position next season ,preferably at 6, or 13.

Yes Whiting to 13 & the £150k used on a half back. Interesting for those that perhaps doubt Whiting is big enough for 13 , he's exactly the same height and weight as Westerman. Westerman is faster probably so maybe play him on the wing??

Total rubbish, if there where that good they would be playing SL, the odd one slips through the net but not many.

The fact that Stuart Dickins was the best prop in the NL last year should tell it's own story.

Name a couple. You might also explain why they're not already signed up for an SL club if they're that good.

I'd have preferred to go into next season without Radford and Dowes but the players we were after didn't come through. It happens. Both of them have been retained on reduced deals and Dowes will be cover rather than first choice.

The only thing embarrassing about the whole affair is the ridiculous overreaction by some on here.

Let them enjoy their cup final, just another game for us.

Most SL clubs don't need to find a prop from the lower leagues, when they do have the need - they do sign them. Loads of examples throughout Super League. Not saying we should sign all of these, but off the top of my head, here's some examples of forwards that looked superior to Dowes the last 2 seasons...

Jack Howieson - Sheffield Eagles
Stuart Dickens - Featherstone Rovers. Proven class year after year, a veteran now though.
Adam Higson - Leigh Centurions. 2nd Rower but bags of potential and could push Lauaki to prop.
Chris Young - Barrow Looks a very useful prop and brought up in Aus iirc.

I'm sure there's loads more I've not seen/can't remember. I remember seeing a good kid at Dewsbury but I can't remember his name. Just because we made an error with Maloney, doesn't mean we should give up!

Dominic Maloney was ripping up trees in NL1 then came to SL and was very average. The truth is while they may look better than Dowes they're playing against far infrerior props.

indeed - maloney came with a good rep but was a bit of a let down. dowes will be alright for us next season

o'meley
moa
dowes
radford

that's not so bad. our 2nd row is also still very good

Craig Hall looked top class playing in the Championship. Hell - even Thorman has looked pretty good since dropping down there.

I've got nothing against signing players from the lower leagues with a view to them eventually making the grade in SL, but that isn't what we needed for next season. Dowes is of a suitable standard for cover prop right now.

It's one of raggytash's funny quirks.

I can remember when he wanted a couple of lower league wingers instead of calderwood.

Many wanted Tuffour in, nows hes NL

What about Austin Buchanan, i hear hes been seen in the gyms in Hull training

I'm not unhappy keeping Dowes - we simply need numbers in the prop department, and he is a good, solid workhorse who can put the long minutes in if needed. The shrewd part of the move was to offer him a reduced salary and a one year deal commensurate with his contribution to the squad. I would have been fine with him leaving but I'm fine with him staying under these conditions.

Radford is a different case for me: he has had only one year as an out-and-out prop and I think he did very well for someone with so little experience in that role. he is a very solid defender and was doing okay going forward by the end of the season. Also, as a prop he is not that old at 30 and so I am happy to have him for another 2 years.