So far we've got:
Taylor for Paea
Fonua for Lineham
Tuimavave for Rankin
Manu for Sa
Pritchard for ?
Washbrook for ?

Anyone got a latest squad listing with contract expiry dates - one on this site still has Crookes and Miller. I know Paea was rumoured to be the biggest earner at the club but still looks like they'll be another couple going out probably in the back row? Whiting I think is contracted. On the basis of incoming players the rumour of selling Westerman looks plausible but I have no inside info, just going on hearsay.

Running a reserves/u-23s we require a bigger squad. To be confident of fielding two teams you have to be looking at about 35 or 37 pros, even using under-19s to fill gaps, I reckon.

Shaul, Naughton, Lancaster, Bower, Fonua, Tuimavave, Logan, Yeaman, Talanoa, Pryce, Sneyd, Abdull, HTW, Dean, Watts, Taylor, Manu, Green, Bowden, BTW, Fash, Feka, Matongo, Osbourne, Houghton, Washbrook, Litten, Wood, Downs, Ellis, Minichiello, Pritchard, Westy, Turgut, Hadley, Whiting, Thompson, Bastiman, Liggins.

There's 39 that will make up our 1st grade & U23s. Plus there's a few more that we could put in there (may even have forgot 1 or 2). There's no way our current batch of 20 or so 19s will play in the 'merged' academy if the 23s idea takes off. Would imagine our 23s side will be pretty much our 19s this year with BTW thrown back in and the likes of Yeaman, Whiting, Feka & Naughton getting game time, ticking them over if needed.

Plus Frank Pritchard I think

So a larger squad than previously, integrating more players who are 20-ish and perhaps also meaning that there might be more ins than outs? I think we're agreeing. First time for everything!



I'd be a bit surprised if Hull [ionly[/i contributed players newly graduated from the 16s to the merged 19s, if that is what you're suggesting. I'm sure a few who are still young enough to move between the 19s and 23s, will. But I can't see minimizing involvement being a point of principle - Pearson entered into the merger voluntarily and is paying cash-money for Hull to be a part of it.

Don't think we've heard the end of our 'outs' as I expect there to be at least one, and a high profile one at that. Not necessarily bigger, but differently structured. I don't expect us to have upwards of 40 players all training as one.


No, that's not what I mean. The current u19's as they are I'd imagine will move to the 23s, leaving the first years (17s if you will) and some 2nd years (18s) with the 'merged team'. The only first year i'd make sure went to the 23s is Jez Litten.
I'm not being deliberately harsh, but if we didn't take those forward I could only see 2 or 3 (at a push) of the Rovers lads making a 17. This way it's a level playing field for everyone. It will also help our younger ones.

Had a go at this, but no doubt some errors

[uBacks[/u
Shaul 2018
Fonua 2018
Talanoa 2017
Tuimavave 2018
Logan 2019
Michaels 2016
Naughton 2016
Lancaster 2017
Yeaman 2016

[uHalves[/u
Sneyd 2017
Pryce 2016
Abdull 2016
HTW 2015
Dean 2016

[uForwards[/u
Ellis 2016
Pritchard 2017 - 3rd year option
Watts 2018
Taylor 2019
Minichiello 2016
Manu 2018
Westerman 2016
Paleaaesina 2016
Green 2016
Bowden 2016
Houghton 2017
Washbrook 2017
Thompson 2017
Whiting 2016
Hadley 2016


Fash
Matongo
Downs
Turgut
Bower
BTW


[uGains[/u
Mahe Fonua (Melbourne Storm, 2018)
Sika Manu (Penrith Panthers, 2018)
Frank Pritchard (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2018)
Scott Taylor (Salford Red Devils, 2019)
Carlos Tuimavave (Newcastle Knights, 2018)
Danny Washbrook (Wakefield Wildcats, 2017)

[uLosses[/u
Stuart Howarth (Wakefield Wildcats)
Tom Lineham (Warrington Wolves)
Mickey Paea (Newcastle Knights)
Jordan Rankin (Wests Tigers)
Setaimata Sa (Widnes Vikings)

[uNon Fed[/u
Fonua
Pritchard
Minichiello
Manu
Tuimavave
Talanoa
Michaels
Paleaaesina (exempt?)

[uHomegrown[/u
Shaul
Logan
Lancaster
Yeaman
Abdull
Houghton
Green
Bowden
Washbrook
Hadley
HTW
Dean

Looking at that, particularly the ins/outs, I think there must be some movement out to come - we just look to have too many forwards and the incoming salaries must exceed the outgoing (notwithstanding Paea reportedly being the highest paid at the club). Surely at least Westerman to go out? And does Feka have non fed dispensation?

Of the 2016 OOCs, I'd be looking at Minichiello to extend asap, and Abdull if he can get his fitness up in the off season.

BTW out of contract, not offered one.

Where are the rumours of Westerman leaving us coming from? Is it just speculation or what?!

I heard this morning (from a usually reliable source) that he has been asked to find another club. Not popular with the team and bad attitude.

In terms of Westerman I am sure Wilf has alluded to it in several diaries that the club will take whatever is offered for him. Hopefully Warrington or Leeds will come in for him and offer the right money. Money that I would like to see invested in a new half back to partner Sneyd.