With the 2020 season still up in the arms I think it would be interesting to have a discussion on planning for 2021. We already have a few signed up for next season including the recent announcements of Brough and Hallas.

I’d personally love to see Dawson-Jones next season (if he isn’t already contracted next year) and I’d also like to try get that Rooks permanently from KR as he looks solid and would make a great back row partner to Farrell with Gallagher rotating/bench.

Hard to say. Looks like finances in the SL are going to be a plane crash which sounds a bit rich coming from us, but then again we have just signed Brough. I thought we started to look promising and presumably we'll look to sign roughly the same group. The forwards look very young but very exciting.

On possible changes, would Maskill's arrival signal Flanagan's exit? I've been disappointed in Farrell and not convinced by Hodgson. Waite-Pullan, impossible to say?

I'd give Rooks another go on the little bit we saw plus look to sign another couple of back rowers.

Dawson-Jones signed up for next year! I really liked Farrell personally and think we need one more experienced 2nd row we need pickers signed up and Matty Race from the reserves he looks quality!

Very true regarding the finances of SL. I wonder if Brough was one higher earners at Wakefield considering they have Fifita, that new NRL player (Tanagitoa?) and Johnstone etc.

To be honest I had forgotten Maskill had signed. Depends how he goes to be honest. Hasn't made an impact anywhere else has he? Doyle is really good prospect and I've been impressed with his performances so I wonder if Maskill would be happy playing second fiddle.

I really liked Farrell last season, just a shame he hasn't featured this season due to an injury but he's solid and that's what I like in a back rower. I'd take a punt on Waite-Pullan but tbh I'm in agreement with you on Hodgson. Would sooner see Gallagher and Scurr get more game time.

Brilliant news!! Hopefully Johnson has shed a bit of weight too. Be nice to have two quality wingers.

When bulls listed players under contract Matty Dawson Jones was on that list and I believe when he signed he signed on a 1 year with another year in the club’s favour. I agree with you I think he’s a cracking player but what we needed after losing a try scoring machine like Ethan Ryan

Agree Matty Race looks one hell of a prospect.

Certainly now we have Brough what better half to learn your trade from!

According to the 2020 Squad thread the following players are signed for 2021:
Sam Hallas
Steve Crossley
Ross Oakes
Jordan Lilley
Danny Brough

Quote ="dddooommm"According to the 2020 Squad thread the following players are signed for 2021: Sam Hallas Steve Crossley Ross Oakes Jordan Lilley Danny Brough'" It’s on this page here: https://www.totalrl.com/bulls-offer-new-deals-to-trio/ Also when he actually signed for us: https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... son-jones/ A one year deal with the further option of another year for the club like when DFJ joined us

Quote ="dddooommm"According to the 2020 Squad thread the following players are signed for 2021: Sam Hallas Steve Crossley Ross Oakes Jordan Lilley Danny Brough'" It’s on this page here: https://www.totalrl.com/bulls-offer-new-deals-to-trio/ Also when he actually signed for us: https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... son-jones/ A one year deal with the further option of another year for the club like when DFJ joined us

Hopefully those offered deals will accept!

To be honest it's been that long since they played, I had forgot some of their names and what they look like or is that just my age !!

It has been a while hasn't it. I'm just looking forward to getting back to Odsal and fingers crossed Mumby is over his niggling injury.

I dont think any of the lads have done anything to suggest they dont deserve another deal.

Any that do go you would think would puely be due to financial constraints.

Back row needs a bit more experience and i think we are a bit short in the centres.

With there being no reserves next season i wonder if we will continue to DR with Hull and pick up a few from them given they will be no where for some of thier lads to play.
Couple of season long loans would surely be beneficial for all parties.

Agree about Mumby. It's amazing how much better some players get as they mature. It's just a shame he never really any rough edges to smooth off..

Out of interest, of who is available, which players would you like to see bulls sign?
So far we have Brough
I’d like to see us sign a prop and a second row In the ilk of:
Matt Cook from Cas
Danny Langtree from Oldham maybe
If we had resources to sign another player I’d resign Rhys Evans

I’d promote:
Matty race
Murphy Smith
Cameron Berry
Vytas Vasnys

Obviously we are gunna be losing the loanees, it wouldn’t suprise me if Sam Barlow left and I wasn’t overly enamoured with Greg Johnson the bit I’ve seen. I also feel it hasn’t really worked out for Evan Hodgson maybe a change of club would be good for both parties.

Agree with the most of that. I think Sam Barlow will sign for another year as his wage won't be that high after 5 years out.

Saying on Twitter our season is over talk of a compilation in the autumn

RFL statement
The Betfred Championship and League 1 seasons will not resume in 2020 – this follows the Government announcement last week identifying October as the earliest opportunity for the return of crowds to sport, and the finding of a survey of Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs that a majority in each competition would not support playing matches Behind Closed Doors. Again, the issue of protecting the solvency of clubs informed this decision.

The Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs will be invited to play in a competition this autumn, with a theme of celebrating the sport’s 125th anniversary – and with a prize pot of £250,000, thanks in part to financial support from the Betfred Super League clubs. Further details of this competition will follow this week – it will be voluntary, and there will be a detailed application process requiring clubs to prove their ability to meet the necessary protocols and medical standards. There will be no automatic promotion to the Betfred Super League from this competition

£250,000 is a decent sum. I suppose we have to weigh up the costs of entering versus the chance of winning. Maybe the RFL could post a live tracker on who's entered, then at the last minute if it's London Skolars and West Wales we pounce.

League 1 clubs definitely can't afford to play without some payments coming in, like fans paying on the gate, for instance, so I'd hope the "full details" later in the week include some central funding, for ALL entrants to cover costs or I can't see this any more viable than playing league games behind closed doors.

I'm not sure on the dates when furlough payments end and clubs have to pick up full contract payments again, but many clubs at our level are going to have to play it right or they will be in trouble.

Yeah, it's a good sum. Trouble is, the RFL still haven't worked out how it'll be split especially as a lot of clubs can't afford to actually come out of furlough without paying crowds and so many will opt out of participating.

another thing I've seen mentioned on t'other forum is how next years central distribution amounts will be decided. Their talking about it being a direct repeat of this years meaning we would be on 2nd lowest figure like we were this year. If club have based next years budgeton us finishing mid table as seemed likely then this could have a further knock on effect on recruitment.

Are we on the second lowest? Wouldn't it be on our 6th placed finish last year.

We finished 6th in 2019 so will get the funding for 6th place as we did for this season, was mentioned at the time it was an increase on previous years.