I agree Goulding would be a good one too, as would Hanson (would he be a quota player??)

IMO at 33 Puletua too old.

You tell him fella.

Are you only 2 point behind because of easier fixtures?

Lets see the points different at the end of the year, I think it will be at least 8 points, depending on how the cup run goes.

Last year we got robbed and still finished a few points ahead of you.

Back on topic, surprised Alex brown hasn't got a new contract yet, had hi faults, but has shown enough for another year surely?

No its because we're pretty evenly matched regardless of your misplaced belief that you're a top 4 club!!!!

I hope we give Alex Brown a longer deal, he's done very well.

The OCC list isn't very inspiring.

Comparing the players we released & those we signed I just can't work out how we're so close to the cap. Something not right there

[uNew contracts required:[/u

Alex Brown
Richard Beaumont (but it sounds like he's off)
Keale Carlile
George Griffin
Graeme Horne
Mickey Paea (but he's too good for us and will be off)

[uShown the door:[/u

Danny Nicklas
Sam Latus
Ryan O'Hara
Lincoln Withers

[uJury Still Out:[/u

Constantine Mika
Matthew Beharrell
Sonny Esslemont
Chris Heil
Tyler Hepi
Aaron Ollett

Almost. Withers has JUST finally found a bit if form so would class as Jury being out. And keep Mika for same resdon and not a lot of other options.

Add to that to sign Luke George. Disco Dave will only kast anothet seadon or two and Caro wad a wsste of money.

FWIW Some that might be useful...

Ryan Bailey
Frankie Mariano (again)
Scott Taylor (again)
Ryan McGoldrick (just because he's a bit of an animal)

Think Mika & Cox are playing themselves towards new deals. Not sold on Carlile.

You have to remember upgrades to existing contracts.

The main factor though, I'd assume, will be that talent drain to Australia, has had an inflationary effect on wages here. A £60k player becomes an £85k player without any improvement, for example, as SL clubs compete over a diminishing resource.
The same money a little bought less in 2013 than in 2012 and I suspect it'll be less again in 2014.

Withers would become classed as quota if we were to offer him another deal, so that will rule him out. Mika has found some form of late, but he needs to keep it up for a longer period to convince me that he's worthy of a quota spot.

Luke George didn't convince me that he's worth a deal in the short spell he was here. Alex Brown is a better player.

Of the others you mention, both Bailey and Taylor are contracted next year (the list via the link is incorrect), we have better than Mariano within our own ranks and I assume you threw in McGoldprick for comedy value.

I would make a play for Dale Ferguson however. As long as he didn't grow the daft ponytail back.

I dont remember saying we are a top 4 club, although I dont think we are far off, 6th last year and our squad is better than last year.

We will see if we are evenly matched at the end of the year, I think we will finish 5th (32 points, 6 wins 3 losses) and you 8th (26 points, 4 wins, 5 losses).