No. The panthers wanted him out while he was still under contract.

Certainly seems that way from what happened at St George and Panthers

Right man, completely wrong time. We got to see flashes of the big man but I don't think we were in any fit state to truly make him put down roots, which is a shame. It didn't bode well how he came to sign on for us and the short time afforded to him getting over here, settled and raring to go. To be frank, from the minute he signed we've had an almost non stop media circus and a distracting "will he go, wont he go" routine which im pleased has ended.

I can see that this pishes folk off and tbh it pishes me off too, but it is what it is, hes put his family first and we unfortunately are left in the lurch. Still, free's up a marquee spot so......

I’m not too upset. He’s a good player and I’d rather he was with us than not. But it frees up cap space and the main thing for me is I think it makes our backrow quicker and more dynamic.
When you think last season we often had Ferres and Merrin there, now we’ll possibly have Martin, Ward and maybe Cuthbertson at loose rather than prop.

I agree it does free up cap space quite a tidy sum too.
But it`s more around IF we use that money that worries me.
Yes we have a tons better squad than this time last year but we need to keep on strengthening and the loss of Merrin has in my opinion put us back a little.
Get a tidy replacement and a decent centre/winger and see where we end up.

I wonder if Sinfield is doing the Oz trip with GH in January?

Not sure that’ll happen this year considering Agar has just been over speaking to agents and putting things in place. I reckon they have something in the pipeline

Oh fine

Didn’t Agar mention that they did have some possible signings lined up incase Merrin didn’t return? And didn’t want to mention names as they were still under contract?

Yep he certainly did. We wait with baited breath

Wonder if those players signed on elsewhere when Merrin returned tho

Possibly and why it makes how Trent handled it worse

I understand one more signing to come before the season starts.

Good let’s hope it’s a high quality addition, we’re fine for squad players again.

100% agree top quality is needed not squad filling journeymen or projects.

If we’re not happy with them starting, don’t sign them...

Yes if new signings aren’t being signed for first 13 let’s not bother.

Wish Trent all the best back at St George, sure he’ll go well has plenty of miles left on the clock.

This is my last post on the Merrin saga, but just wanted to say it may have been nice of him to maybe just issue a statement to the fans thanking them for the support or something, but... nothing apart from an interview with on the StGeorge site saying it's nice to not be in cold weather and he's looking forward to the higher level he's going to be playing at, cheers Trent.

Funny how he said the standard of playing SL was on a par with the NRL when he was here.
All goes to show that they will say what the fans want to hear whichever team they are playing for.
But totally agree he could have even thanked the Rhinos for their understanding and letting him get out of his contract early the twot.

What a t*t he is

At least he gave a decent account of himself on the field for us ,but that was probably to keep himself in the shop window. We all have our opinions but he's gone now let's move on and hope the club makes sure over seas signings really do want to be here . The End

Not sure what part of that is incorrect to be honest.

He’s issued his statement now.

Must have read my post



Ok, fair play Trent, good luck for the future.

Let’s all just wish him the best. Done us a favour with early release . Was too slow for what we needed in BR. More of an NRL style player.