On the pics on the training it doesn’t look like it.

Just a rumour, on the rumours topic.

Another potential signing that didn't happen was only 6 weeks ago. We approached Jon Clarke to return in a coaching capacity, not fitness & conditioning. He turned us down in favour of a similar job offer in the NRL. I believe he's now at Manly.

Jon Clarke keeps popping up everywhere. He has done very well for himself since his playing days.

He will replace Smithies at 13 or replace Ellis at prop if he moves to 13.

another one, the usual suspects bagged as not good enough and "jobs for the boys"

Talking of coaching was there anything behind the rumours of Matt King or Sinfield coming as coaches.

Strange that when local lads aren’t being selected it’s bad and when we look to advance old players that is bad as well.

Jon Clarke - one of our most underrated players of the Super League era. Along with Sally's favourite, Chris Riley.

Was Jon Clarke in line for a coaching postion with us when he finished playing? I don't recall any discussion on it.

When has advancing old players happened though? I didnt think Darryl Clark was advanced due to age (Brad Dwyer is 2 months younger)

Clark was showing wear and a downward trajectory, missing games for the daftest of twinges, Dwyer seemingly hasn’t.



I’d rather have a 70%er 100% of the time, than a 100%er 70% of the time.

Advanced in the sense of going on to coaching staff.

Very true. I think he was steady or 'solid' at hooker but had some of his best games at loose forward.

His very best game was at stand off (or scrum half?). We beat Bradford away!

I worry that a revitalised Clark is going to be devastating for Saints.

I think that you are right to worry and that he will plug their post Roby gap at the top level for the next couple of years.



However I'd balance that with the comfort that we've had his best years and if we'd have kept him he more than likely not improved upon his previous years here. Which is fine in one respect as I still think he's a top player and never let us down.



Time will tell but the main thing is we should hope that we've spent his salary wisely as i don't think hooker will be our post Clark problem

Clark undoubtedly still has a lot to offer but would we be happy if we had given him a 3 year contract? I suspect not.

Been a very good player for us. Without knowing the the actual finances & how fit Clark's body looks from those that see him everyday we are a bit in the dark on the decision not to keep him. Personally I'd guess his body will struggle to compete at the top for another 3 years ... but who knows.

Absolutely. Hence why it’s better to let them go a season too early than a season too late.

Clark's main attributes are his running from dummy half and his defence - the first is on the wane. Clark is still a good player but he lacks Roby's passing, kicking and organisational skills. I don't think he'll scare me from an opposition fan point of view.

Personally I think he will excel running off the back of Makinson, Percival, Walmsley carries. Though I think given the likely value and length of the contract, as well as Walker needing to develop, it was the right move.

We have been very fortunate over the last couple of seasons to have both Clark and Walker on our books but with Walker now worthy of a better deal, and Clark still with a couple of good years left in him, I don't think that any club could justify having them both. Walker is the future and Clark was looking for that extra risky year, so right decision (if indeed it was our decision to make).



Next season, as long as Walker is fit, we can either go with Dwyer as interchange (which worries me) or with a more versatile 'make-do' hooker such as Powell (actually a recognised 9 but also a half / 13), Crowther or Ratchford. The problems occur when Walker isn't either available or fit.

I don't see how walker not being fit will cause us problems when we have just signed a highly decorated number 9.

In comparison with other positions in our squad our No9. is not a problem. Walker (England), Dwyer (makes breaks for fun bit mad at times but aren't we all) Powell (Done it all) ... Crowthor (Good back up). Bring it on.

No return for Mikaele then, sorry if i've it being talked about already.

So we're running with:

Vaughan

Musgrove

Harrison

Philbin

Bullock

Kasiano

Dudson

Green

Thomas.



Not the worst forward to have to be honest, dudson for me is the only question mark for me. I'm hoping Burgess is the kick up the butt he needs to click him in to gear. As while he's never been a world beater, at times he's been a good steady prop that plays good minutes. If we can get him back to being just a good club prop it means we don't have to over play vaughan etc