Spot on Avenger, that'd be my first 17 as it stands too. 


Listening to Ste Mills' great interview on the Heritage podcast and putting reports together, it looks like Atoni (Cas), Hood (Oldham), Griffin (York) and Matty Russell (TBC) are on their way out. I'm comfortable with all those - they've been quality for us, particularly in the last 18 months, but we can look to the future now. 


The only other two out of contract are Croft and Cozza, and with '3 or 4' more coming through the door (including tonight's announcement), you'd imagine they'll drop down the pecking order or have to go elsewhere. So if you look at our depth, we definitely need a couple of props and, as PT says, a second rower:



Rourke
Myers
Scott
?
Tchamambe
Lawford
Russell
Lingard
Doyle
High
?
?
Pitts


If I were playing Fantasy RL, I'd also want to sign a world-class halfback in the Lachlan Lam mould, a weapon of a centre like Tesi Niu, and a gamebreaking winger like Xavier Savage, which would leave us with a team full of threats and take us to finals. However, that's more for 2027, and I'm more than happy to see how Lawford, Hall, Myers and Tchamambe develop in that time.

I’ve watched Cas a few times this season and I’ve been impressed with Josh Simm on the wing who can also play centre. 


Hes out of contract and I think he would be a good option for backline cover. I think he would be ideal to take Russell’s spot for 2026. 

If last night showed nothing else is we need more quality rather than cover. Myers, Tchamambe, Walmsley and Johnstone cover wing spot, Rourke, Scott, Pratt and Hall centre.

I can’t disagree with that. Though there is potential in Myers I think he needs more full time training and to work on leg drive, strength and kick defence. 

If TJ isn’t fit (we need him imo) then perhaps Tchimambe will get a shot vs Salford and I think his speed would be a huge assett. Salford struggle badly on the edges every time I see them. 

He did himself no favours today watching Burgess coast in for three simple scores.

The damage was done inside before that point certainly on the one I watched the line was stretched but I’ve seen a lot of Cas this season and he has some potential and ability there.