The Bears still have more chance than PNG. Nobody wants to expand there except for the Australian government. Players wouldn't live there, and they would have to play out of Cairns or fly in and fly our for games. They would get hammered regularly with very little scope to improve, as I doubt they would ever attract top NRL players except those with PNG backgrounds. I wouldn't be surprised if there's some brinkmanship at play with the Bears bid to get the WA govt to commit more money.

Looking at our squad vs Wigan and Sts, even with the new signings, you have to say some of our players must be on massive overs compared to their ability if we are tight with the cap. Of the players currently on the books for next year a whole bunch haven't got a lot of experience between them, and Holroyd and Gannon aren't exactly seasoned pros at the top of their earning potential.

Mik is set to sign a contract extension, apparently

Good, best Prop we have produced in years has decided to remain with the club. Now time to take his game up a level under a much better coach than he has been used to for most if not all of his career so far.

Yup. Big year needed from all the props this year I think. Mik has been steady for the most part,Holroyd has been allover the place or injured and Lisone just hasn't done enough. Hoping Palasia and Jenkins along with a fit/ full preseason for the other three will make a big difference. If Miller/Hall/Handley can keep making the ground early on to help out and Newman / Sivo adding more strike it might finally be back to the play offs. Still worried about Frawley/7 our kicking game and leadership hasn't really changed and was very sub par at points in the last few years. At least we have Connor as a back up. Sinfield should be on a long loan with recall from game 1.

[quote="batleyrhino":ffeigcsl]Good, best Prop we have produced in years has decided to remain with the club. Now time to take his game up a level under a much better coach than he has been used to for most if not all of his career so far.[/quote:ffeigcsl] Great news. The rest of the out of contract players, for differing reasons, are harder to make a retain/let go decision on. I do feel that Frawley and Lisone would both have to play out of their respective skins in order to make a case for staying given the shortage of quota spots. Here's hoping both Holroyd and Gannon come back firing on all cylinders and make it an easy decision to make.

[quote="ArthurClues":1r8ss5i3]Great news. The rest of the out of contract players, for differing reasons, are harder to make a retain/let go decision on. I do feel that Frawley and Lisone would both have to play out of their respective skins in order to make a case for staying given the shortage of quota spots. Here's hoping both Holroyd and Gannon come back firing on all cylinders and make it an easy decision to make.[/quote:1r8ss5i3] Yep, exactly what I think too...