The Ghost of '99 wrote:

We've got Eastmond next season regardless. I'd expect Gale to sign a contract extension for 2023, perhaps year to year from then on, unless he's hit by more serious injuries. Much of our future recruitment depends on how we think Eastmond is going - and the timing couldn't be worse with decisions needing to be made now before he's had a chance to show much one way or another.

With Myler in the squad it's not as pressing to have an additional half back option if Eastmond demonstrates he's still got it.

McLelland's never had the chance to properly get into it but, to be fair, he's not really taken any game by the scruff of its neck and time is running out for him unfortunately.

To free up money for a top quality 6 a lot depends on whether we give Hurrell another deal on marquee money - indeed whether we can afford marquee players going forward or not.

From what I’m hearing about Hurrell club are keen to retain but on reduced wages. Whether he’ll accept that is another question.

Trebor1 wrote:

From what I’m hearing about Hurrell club are keen to retain but on reduced wages. Whether he’ll accept that is another question.

Sounds sensible.

I expect we will end up retaining a few of the OOC players, just because the club likes to maintain a good culture as much as anything.

Agree with Marty the time to bring in a top 6 would be 2022. Having Gale, new #6 plus Eastmond and McLelland might seem like overkill but we do need some quality through the halves, which we haven't had for years.

We just need to tweak that pack a little to bring in some more aggression and power; happy with options at centre just about, and we need another winger or FB to complete the picture for a tilt at the title.

Everything the club does over the next months in recruitment and retention should be framed around us being in a chance to win SL next season. We have some great young talent and we really need to get the mixture of seniors right now.

KaeruJim wrote:

Sounds sensible.

I expect we will end up retaining a few of the OOC players, just because the club likes to maintain a good culture as much as anything.

Agree with Marty the time to bring in a top 6 would be 2022. Having Gale, new #6 plus Eastmond and McLelland might seem like overkill but we do need some quality through the halves, which we haven't had for years.

We just need to tweak that pack a little to bring in some more aggression and power; happy with options at centre just about, and we need another winger or FB to complete the picture for a tilt at the title.

Everything the club does over the next months in recruitment and retention should be framed around us being in a chance to win SL next season. We have some great young talent and we really need to get the mixture of seniors right now.

Agree Jim. The wings shouldn’t be ignored. We lack real strike out there, only Handley imo who’s got it.

My personal view is that the squad is too big especially in the back row. Let the majority of the OOC leave unless somebody tears it up this year to earn a new deal.
We should only be bringing in 3 or 4 players but they all need to be of the quality to start. A marquee 6 additional prop and Bentley and Johnstone and suddenly we look a different team. I would be happy to go with back row options of Mellor Bentley Donaldson Thompson Cam Smith Gannon and Walters as long as we have 4 props.
Walters and Gannon look the real deal and should get regular game time. Accept the winger might need to wait till 2023 however would love more pace

Loiner at large wrote:

My personal view is that the squad is too big especially in the back row. Let the majority of the OOC leave unless somebody tears it up this year to earn a new deal.
We should only be bringing in 3 or 4 players but they all need to be of the quality to start. A marquee 6 additional prop and Bentley and Johnstone and suddenly we look a different team. I would be happy to go with back row options of Mellor Bentley Donaldson Thompson Cam Smith Gannon and Walters as long as we have 4 props.
Walters and Gannon look the real deal and should get regular game time. Accept the winger might need to wait till 2023 however would love more pace

you say back row too many and keep 4 average ones , good luck to lui did a job now time for a quality 6

Mclelland will be released too. Think we will put all eggs in basket with Gale/Eastmond combo.
Very risky as both injury pronr though....

Shabino wrote:

Mclelland will be released too. Think we will put all eggs in basket with Gale/Eastmond combo.
Very risky as both injury pronr though....

That would be reckless both are fairly injury prone.

doc-rhino wrote:

you say back row too many and keep 4 average ones , good luck to lui did a job now time for a quality 6

You cant get rid of every player plus we have a salary cap you will have average players in the squad.An aveage player as you put it often ups his game when playing with better players.Next season i can see Walters starting before Mellor if Mellor doesnt improve add Bentley or someone of that standard Tet at 13 who later moves to prop Smith to come to 13 and a pick for the bench of Holroyd Thompson Mellor Donaldson Gannon Dwyer new prop its starting to look something like.

[Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino]

Shabino wrote:

Mclelland will be released too. Think we will put all eggs in basket with Gale/Eastmond combo.
Very risky as both injury pronr though....

Sounds plausible, I think if we hadnt been so maligned in this situation McClelland wouldve still been out on loan at Fev developing, wedve had Lui and Gale in the halves and given a bit more time to Eastmond to get back in the swing of it, maybe even a cheeky loan out to Fev for some game time.
As it is with everything its just a hot mess, Injuries have so far robbed us of any momentum building with any combination of half back getting on the field and even the ones we have had out have shown to be very undercooked.