Seems Hull FC are now the favoured club for Craig's SMTM and his clients

Needs to be playing regular super league games, an odd few games here or there in the championship / reserves and us isnt going to cut it.
He'll get thrown in at Hull and will, due to injuries be straight to the coalface then we'll see if hes going to make it or not.

Good luck to him I say.

I wouldn’t worry he’l be injured in about 4 games

It'll be for the greater good and a necessary evil if if means bringing someone in, in a position of greater value to the team at the minute, ie a quality prop.

Salary cap management.

I fear less. Some bodies/joints/bones just can't cope with the game at this level

The Brent Webb physique. You can understand the amount of injuries when you consider the size, strength and speed of players now. The question is how you negate some of that

singleton

John Bateman has thin legs but he is strong as an ox

Rugby League live just mentioned that Hull FC have a option to sign Jack Walker at the end of the season if loan deal goes well. Interesting times at both sides.

It’s a real shame injuries have hampered his development, he looked like a real star in the making when he broke through.

There’s still a very good player in there but he’s currently third in the pecking order so maybe a move is the best thing for him, he seems like a really nice guy snd he deserves a bit of luck on thr injury front.

I hope he goes well for FC, we simply can’t keep all the players in a salary capped sport

As others have said we may only be another couple of years off needing a FB with the age of myler/hardaker.

Both potentially have 4-5 years left in them 30-31-32 is not old for full time pro’s nowadays. Walker is potentially forced to retire in 2 years through persistent injuries.
Alot can happen in two years, i’d take the here and now and Walker us 3rd choice and cannot play other positions.

I presume he plays well then we also have the option of retaining Jack.

Not according to Brett Hodgson. He's been quoted as saying that FC have first dibs.

So in other words we don’t want him, Hull are cautious as he’s damaged goods so equivalent of a 3 month warranty on a well used car.

Well he’s still under contract with us beyond this season, so you’d think if we are going to allow him to sign full time with Hull that it would be on our terms? Shall we suggest a swap deal for Satae

Pretty much the player on the pitch so far in this game.

Would be VERY reluctant to lose him when he's not had chance to show what he can do for us for quite some time.

If so then it will be down to Walker who he chooses.

Talking about what might happen in two years is a bit pointless. What we have right now are two better full backs than Walker, and we need to focus on improving this year and bringing in some forwards to give us a shot at the top sides for next season. Longer term we should be looking at kids who are round and about first team already - Sinfield, Simpson, Edwards etc.

Walker shouldn't be OK with playing reserves or on loan - he's still young and ambitious and will want to play first grade every week. I genuinely wish him well but have never quite understood the hype.

You can suggest it



That’ll be as far as it gets though

I'm sure Smith said the deal isn't done for Jack to go to Hull, he is due back at Leeds.

If Zak stays I'm sure Jack will go. We can’t afford three full backs who will all be on a good wage. It would have been really nice to see him have a happy ending at Leeds, but sometimes it just doesn't play out that way. I hope he signs for Hull and goes on to have a successful and injury free career there. We can use the cap space to give us the oomph up front that we've been missing for the best part of decade now.

Anyone think Newman could be a future fullback in a GI style move? I know he's not necessarily got the passing game, but his running game means we should have him on the ball as much as possible.

I also think the club see Handley as a possible fullback should we need him there. Maybe that explains the move for Olpherts. Not a move I'd want Ash to make personally.

Yes to Newman if he develops as a footballer. No to Handley.