If Frank goes I'd be disappointed if the only signing is Kelly. We'd have a huge amount left on the cap to pay for an upgrade on Michaels (Who has yet to sign). AP said we would sign another outside back but I suppose things change.
Wonder if part of his salary was covered by the Bulldogs? If that was due to run out, could be a reason why we're looking to change things about?
If Frank goes I'd be disappointed if the only signing is Kelly. We'd have a huge amount left on the cap to pay for an upgrade on Michaels (Who has yet to sign). AP said we would sign another outside back but I suppose things change.
Could be handy having a decent chunk available mid-season.
Assuming we do sign Kelly, lose Frank & re-sign Michaels, we don't look particularly short of numbers in any one position. It could be that they keep some of their powder dry in case of injuries, or after a few games see where it's apparent we need strengthening.
Hooker is potentially an issue should Houghton get injured, but it appears he's made out of steel, with Litten perhaps ready for some game time next year(?).
Perhaps another prop/13. We have a great starting three in Taylor, Watts & Ellis. A fairly decent bench of Bowden, Green, Washy, Tommo as cover, but after that we're onto the youngsters should we have a couple of injuries.
Wonder if part of his salary was covered by the Bulldogs? If that was due to run out, could be a reason why we're looking to change things about?
$300k was paid by the Bulldogs for 2016 according to reports when he signed for us. His Bulldogs contract at the time was a reported $650k a year, so if that's true it's fair to assume we still had to pay a decent amount. Plus, he was registered as a Marquee player (one of only two in SL I believe, Tomkins being the other) - I'm not sure what the benefit would be having him as a marquee player if on less than the £175k band.
Maybe the value of the £ has effected Frank's decision? Using the reported $650k as a basis:
$650kAUS when the signing was announced in June15 the exchange was around 2.04:1, so roughly £319k.
That £319k now is worth around $510kAUS at 1.6:1.
I was talking to Rovers fans about this. FC have some youngsters who could do a job for them in the championship if they can swallow their pride and take them on loan. If they don't come straight back up then they should be worried about becoming our feeder team fulltime but right now I don't think that will happen.
I was talking to Rovers fans about this. FC have some youngsters who could do a job for them in the championship if they can swallow their pride and take them on loan. If they don't come straight back up then they should be worried about becoming our feeder team fulltime but right now I don't think that will happen.
Abdul going to rovers is good business for both clubs. I had thought his contract was up this year but maybe not or has he signed a new one?. If rovers don;t come straight back up then the COHA needs looking at IMO. Also, I notice the Hull FC hating jason neanderthall is now head coach - interesting that one of the original plus points of a joint academy was that we would have a top class coach in there which is obviously not now the case. Does netherton even have all of his coaching quals? Personally I'd rather the red and white tw@ was nowhere near any of our players
Abdul going to rovers is good business for both clubs. I had thought his contract was up this year but maybe not or has he signed a new one?. If rovers don;t come straight back up then the COHA needs looking at IMO. Also, I notice the Hull FC hating jason neanderthall is now head coach - interesting that one of the original plus points of a joint academy was that we would have a top class coach in there which is obviously not now the case. Does netherton even have all of his coaching quals? Personally I'd rather the red and white tw@ was nowhere near any of our players
Totally agree. I've been against the COHA since the day it was announced.
If they fail to win promotion next year, that would be the perfect time to cut all ties and go it alone again, using Rovers as pretty much a dual-reg partner instead like we're doing with Abdull.
The whole point when the merger was set up was that there were two SL Clubs battling over a finite pool of players, with a lot of poor quality players across both sides. One academy would mean a better quality overall and not devoting resources to players who won't make it.
That wouldn't be the case with Rovers in the Championship as they'd likely not be able to afford an academy and we'd effectively have the pick of the crop again, each player would be of sufficient quality that they'd have a chance of making it. Rovers would benefit as they wouldn't have the cost of an academy, but would be able to pick up any players who don't quite make it from us.
I dont like that our players are going to Rovers. What is Abdull going to do, applaud their fans after the game, celebrate their tries? Will they sing the kebab song to him?
I dont like that our players are going to Rovers. What is Abdull going to do, applaud their fans after the game, celebrate their tries? Will they sing the kebab song to him?
I agree. I'm also not keen on the idea.
I know he needs game time but as soon as they lose a match or two he will be the first player the fans pick on. That could seriously affect his confidence and send him backwards.
