Ali as a squad player is a no brainer for me.

With Stevie Ward and JJB both missing the start of the season (and if Achurch departs) then I'd go for a 12 month deal for Ali. Don't want to be caught short on numbers and it's unrealistic to find a long term player for the backrow at this late stage of the year. Ali for 12 months then work on signing someone for 2017.

Imagine Ali in his pomp playing in a team built for offloading. Even the current Ali would be great to watch if he joins next year.

I suppose it all depends on how much wend be paying him, and what return we'd get.

There's a danger we're all getting a little misty eyed due to recent events and that is clouding our judegement...

That said..... I'd also love to see him back as an impact sub.... We got by with Kylie playing limited minutes (though that was with JP in the team).

On a cautionary note, here's some assessments by Wakey fans: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=589522 I know fans can be rough on departing players but these guys seem to genuinely appreciate what he brought to them.

On a cautionary note, here's some assessments by Wakey fans: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=589522 I know fans can be rough on departing players but these guys seem to genuinely appreciate what he brought to them.

Quote ="Clearwing"On a cautionary note, here's some assessments by Wakey fans: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=589522 I know fans can be rough on departing players but these guys seem to genuinely appreciate what he brought to them.'" I'd take this with a pinch of salt. Wakefield as a team were poor. Ali might have been going through the motions until he could escape!

Quote ="Clearwing"On a cautionary note, here's some assessments by Wakey fans: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=589522 I know fans can be rough on departing players but these guys seem to genuinely appreciate what he brought to them.'" I'd take this with a pinch of salt. Wakefield as a team were poor. Ali might have been going through the motions until he could escape!

Quote ="Clearwing"On a cautionary note, here's some assessments by Wakey fans: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=589522 I know fans can be rough on departing players but these guys seem to genuinely appreciate what he brought to them.'" Whilst their are some saying this last season was a year too far for him, it should be taken into account he was playing for a team that gave up on the season after about 5 weeks.

Quote ="Clearwing"On a cautionary note, here's some assessments by Wakey fans: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=589522 I know fans can be rough on departing players but these guys seem to genuinely appreciate what he brought to them.'" Whilst their are some saying this last season was a year too far for him, it should be taken into account he was playing for a team that gave up on the season after about 5 weeks.

Have to admit that i didn't see many Wakey games this year so i can't comment too much on him right now, but for the previous few years Ali has played there since leaving us he has seemed to still have plenty of life in him and seemed to play more games than the back end of his Leeds stint, on that evidence imo we let him go a little too soon and if we would get that player for a year on what would have to be assumed knock down wages then hopefully it happens, better option than Achurch imo.

True enough but sentimentality aside, I'd not be pushing to sign any player who couldn't or wouldn't stand out in a fairly dire Wakey side. He might be a better option than Achurch; he could, quite conceivably, be worse, good performances in the seasons prior to last not withstanding.

I'd rather see Minchella given a chance if Achurch goes than sign Ali back at this stage in his career. He's one of the best players I've ever seen, and a stella bloke, but he's not 27 anymore, and I doubt he's top 8 standard.

Huge fan of the big laid back bear of a man but at 36 and with jjb and stevie ward out long term I think we need a guy who can do more tackling if we get anyone else other than a hooker which I doubt.

We were in for Westerman so looks like we are/were prepared to brimg another back row forward in. I'm not sure about a 2016 version of Ali though. I'd prefer to remember the legend that he was in his prime as opposed to him potentially just 'making the numbers up' next year

Not buying Westerman when we just won all the prize money is a bit cheap

It's a bit sensible. Just because you have the money you shouldn't pay what most agree was well over the odds for him.

decent player is Westerman but no more imo, who has one too many question marks hanging over his head to justify shelling out 150k on him. He would still be a project as such had we signed, at least for the first season,therefore a risk, so i think GH did the right thing not matching the asking price.

A new game for Christmas "You are Uncle Gary", if this takes off worldwide I hereby claim copyright.

The below salary list is entire guesswork and any accuracy is pure luck. The only exception is that a guy I don't know well who shall remain anonymous - let's call him the king of sources - Syd Hynes Tomato Ketchup, reckons that Aiton was offered and declined the amount allocated to a new hooker. This is probably also wrong.

1. Hardaker £95k
2. Briscoe £85k
3. Watkins. £105k
4. Moon. £80k
5. Hall £95k
6. McGuire £125k
7. Burrow £110k
8. Garbutt £80k
9. ? £90k
10. Galloway £100k
11. JJB. £95k
12. Ablett. £90k
13. Cuthbo. £95k
14. Ward. £65k
15. Delaney £85k
16. Achurch £60k
17. Mullally £60k
18. Singleton £60k
19. Keinhorst £40k
20. Walters. £40k
21. Baldwinson £35k
22. Handley £30k
23. Golding. £30k
24. Lilley. £30k
25. Mulhern. £30k
Total. £1,810k

This leaves £15k leftover. Above is almost certainly totally incorrect, however it does show how difficult it is to do what GH has done so well. Also how unlikely it is that a big name signing could be fitted in. You can shave off £10k here and £15k there but Widdop on £250k or burgess on £300 plus - looks very unlikely to me. Could we have even fitted in Westerman?

I look forward to a bucket of sauce being unleashed.

Be lucky

so if you think this is wrong why are you posting this? Are you expecting someone who knows someone who knows someone who says he knows the truth?

My mate's wife's Auntie works with someone whose sister-in-law is the cousin of someone who lives next door to the person who once did some building work for Ryan Hall and he says Hall's on 100k......FACT!

De-listing Achurch would free up a chunk.

The kids will be on a lot less than 30k more like 15k and win bonus would be more realistic.

I don't think its that of an unrealistic guess to be fair.... if you have something better please do share. I imagine that you could shave a little off the bottom few contracts and maybe a little off burrow and Danny M as they have just resigned and maybe GH was looking for a deal to keep them longer than another year etc.

Anyway good to see that it is tough to piece together a consistent competitive team with the salary cap, rather than snap up a couple of stars and blow a third of your cap.

No Sutcliffe or is it just to early for my eyes to work?

Your numbers must be wrong or how else would we have had Sinny, jp and Kylie in there too? I know you wouldn't have Galloway and mullaley but still.

Nice effort though.

Yep, my guess would be Achurch around the 100k a year ball park so would free up some serious cash.

I know for a fact lilley is only on 13K so you'd be right there, golding wouldn't be on more than 20 and Hanley mid 20s Max.

Yes, i was good mates with a lad who played for Keighley in the championship a couple of years ago and his pay was something like £600 win £200 loss and he was an established player at that level too.The pay for anybody but the top stars is not the best and i doubt many of the young lads still to breakthrough as full on first teamers are on much more than 20k a year. All speculation and imo of course.