Didn't Puletua replace Talau as a "non fed trained player" or did someone else leave and I missed it?

plenty more solia's in the world. It's just annoying this one is sounded out season(s) ago and we fail to sign off on the deal and strengthen our squad, which remains weaker than last year.

With Cronulla on the verge of folding there might be scope for a more immediate signing

Ive said it before and I will say it again. Leeds are like Saints, in that their recruitment is always spot on (visa shambles excluded of course). There will be something in the pipeline.

To be fair to other clubs though, for a number of years Leeds and Sts have been signing players for 'maintenance', with a number of absolutely critical positions locked up for years, rather than seeking drastic improvement - which is always far more difficult.

Bradford, OTOH seem to have been pursuing a policy of signing players with a view to mid table mediocrity.

Not much scope at Cronulla on this season's showing. Trent Barrett and Paul Gallon aside and it appeared Gallon's mouth came close to landing him in the s[ihi[/it last week.