It seems certain Thornley and Cust leave and there has been no word on Hampshire. If all three leave, I just don’t see how we go in to a season with the only cover in the backs being Astley, Douglas and Eckersley, who have one Superleague appearance between them. If King goes as well, we’ll need another signing on top of Keighran IMO.

Quote Zig="Zig"Another centre expected to sign for Wire! https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/nrl-star ... eal-81214/ Perhaps King to Wigan is still on.'" For me the interesting bit from that article is this "Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants have completed huge signings for 2024 from down under." Anyone have any word on who? I know there has been mention of possible signings but that seems to imply done deals. On the King signing I think any potential stumbling block would be the contract he is currently on as I understand it is quite good!

Quote Zig="Zig"Another centre expected to sign for Wire! https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/nrl-star ... eal-81214/ Perhaps King to Wigan is still on.'" For me the interesting bit from that article is this "Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants have completed huge signings for 2024 from down under." Anyone have any word on who? I know there has been mention of possible signings but that seems to imply done deals. On the King signing I think any potential stumbling block would be the contract he is currently on as I understand it is quite good!

There are at least a couple more signings to come for Wigan. Potentially 3 but there are some moving parts that need to come off first for that to happen.



In relation to King he wants to stay at Wigan but with what they value him at compared to what Warrington are paying him, there is a big difference. I don't blame him in many ways, its a short career and they need to earn as much as they can.

Well they could be meaning Leeming given he’s current at the titans although I think there will be 1 or 2 more.

Do you know what positions we're looking at?

I believe a half is one of them but that seems to be the one dependent on other movements happening first.

I would assume them movements to be Cust and/or Mago leaving & French's form at Stand Off.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner anyone? 30 year old 6ft3 second row that's been told he can leave the Bulldogs. Would be nice, experienced addition to the squad imo.

Do you know who they are? Or just the number and positions we are looking at? If you do know I won’t ask who they are but would you say they are good signings?

Yes

Big body and he obviously has quality but he does blow hot and cold.



I wouldn’t be against him coming but I’d hope our business has been completed long before now and we have been proactive in the market rather than being reactive like what Leeds appear to be doing to pull together a squad for 2024.

Agreed, but with Stu's comments about moving parts still happening for some players, Faitala-Mariner could just an easy pickup Vs gambling on other things out of our control.



Defo hot and cold, but that's the team too. He's carried that team a few times, so I'd love to have him. Exactly that bracket of him being a "here and now" type player. Plenty of experience etc

I've not asked for names and to be honest I don't think my mate would tell me anyway. He's still involved at Wigan so naturally he won't say too much at this stage. He did say all are good signings and one in particular (if it comes off) would be a game changer. Whether or not he has embellished that last part to wind me up and make me more fearful of Wigan or not I don't know yet. I guess all will be revealed!



He also told me Saints have signed a NSW Cup overseas centre late 20s. Joining the dots this appears to be Waka Blake so we'll see. He still hasn't replied to my text when I specifically asked if it was Blake or not so that may be the proof

Apologies if it's already been posted and I've missed it but just seen we've signed 8 players from Thatto Heath u'14's on scholarship forms, must be a fair old team

I think that would mean Hopoate is on his way Stu. I’ve never been impressed by Blake in the NRL and his form over the past two seasons has been shocking. As an Eels fan, I was happy to see him cut from the roster.

I’d sooner have Jordan Maclean. But I agree with you John signings need to be concluded earlier and I am sure Rads will have done that on his trip to Australia. For what it is worth, Mike Danson gave him an open cheque book.

Isa, Mago, Thornley, Cust, Hampshire, King and KPP are all out of contract so the club knows the amount it could save on the salary cap and those decisions will already have been made (apart from King). Powell we don’t yet know about. The incoming boys will not have eaten all the cap up.

Listening to Peets interview, sounds like Havard is trending to be good to go before the end of the year.



I feared he’d be gone for the year. Massive boost.

I've heard from two people who've separately spoken to Havard and both have reported him saying he's aiming for the GF.

shevi are one of the best teams too at that age

After watching Hampshire play for the reserves I’d be looking to keep him.

With regards a “game changer” presumably this would have to be someone not off contract at the end of 2023. We’ve already paid one transfer fee so far and to be truly game changing it would have to be a top player not at the end of his career.

He’s out of his knee brace and been swimming in Eccleston quarry with Mago and Cust today so a big boost.

I agree.

I’m willing to have a fiver on him returning.