Think truthfully that Raynor will definately have a starting jersey next year. with out a doubt due to him bringing urgency speed and agression. he is one of our only players who does this. I think the debateable decisions will be the other wing and centre.
I know Sykes has played out of his skin last few weeks but it wont mean a thing! Depending on this new back, think who ever he is if he has some size he will be in the centres no doubt. toughen up our edges

Purtell rumour added

Purtell confirmed and put in as first choice centre based on the announcement saying he is a centre/wing ie centre first wing second.

Now will anybody who says get rid of any current back PLEASE SHUT UP, the club have recruited virtually an entire new back line which I include Ainscough in due to his few appearances this season.

the squad is shaping up now but I'm thinking our wingers are a bit vertically challenged. might give the opposition a bit of ammunition (thinking of wigan and pat richards)?

Kearney
Raynor
Lulia
Purtell
Ainscough

It's not a bad back line is it?

and also, if we've signed two then what will Platt and walker be thinking? If walker signs up then he'll be in the second row now?

Platt will be waiting for injuries to get in the team although given how this year has gone he'll end up playing every game.

Walker shouldn't play anything other than 2nd row. His centre days are long behind him which we all knew before the Bulls signed him. I wouldn't be disappointed if we gave him another year but only if its in the pack.

For me, Platt can think what he likes. He's had more than long enough to prove himself.

I can't comment on the shape of next years back line. I don't know anywhere near enough of Lulia or Purtell to comment. I do think that Ainscough gets bigger wraps than he probably deserves though. He has potential.

there may well be several shapes. Lulia and Purtell can both play wing, so if you want 6'4 wingers for a specific game rather than 5'8" speedsters the option is there. If Royston is leaving then Platt may well be first cover for Kearney and then centres. still plenty of announcements to be made especially the younger players that are staying/leaving.

Is there only me who thinks Platt has had a decent season?

Yeah he's gone ok.

Depends how high you want to set the bar really. A lot of the team are alright.

I thought Platt and Ainscough were starting to form a good partnership until Ainscough got injured.

mostly decent, and exactly who is first choice is up to the players themselves, so i would hope to see his very best performances in the next four games as we mathematically can still get into the playoffs however small the probability is. Hopefully there will without injuries be real competition for startin places next season.

and having said Ainscough will be like having a new player, Walker has played exactly the same number of games so far this season, 9.

Decent for Platt's standards, which are fairly poor...

Yes. Average, in an average side.

Expected? Yes
Acceptable? No

Apologies if I've missed this, but has Herbert definately been released ?

No official announcement yet, but according to Connor he won't be here next year.

Updated for Ainscough and Royston, and no extension yet for Walker hence a ? against him. and ? a new winger as no news on Finnegan etc.

Well looking at this and the squad thread. I think there's only 6 players left OOC from the squad list, two of who are reserve graders who I'd assume would get new deals as they're still being developed.

Out of the rest only Walker has a deal still on the table. So we may only be losing 3 players at the end of the year unlike the last few years where we've had half a side walk out the door which has put us on the back foot before the new season has even started.

Having a settled squad is the first step towards being consistent on the field.

For all the talk/speculation about Purtell being a centre I note he's wearing no. 5 this year and appears to be playing right wing (I think the Aussies reverse the no.2, 3, 4 and 5 positions, or at least, Penrith do). Looks to know where the line is too.

He played centre all last season, and stated that it is his preferred position, so I have put him as centre for that reason, but Potter likes players that can cover several positions so who knows, other than he will score whatever position

updated for Jobe Murphy new full time contract - 2 years. I wonder how Hood categorised this one - new signing as its a full time deal, or renewal?

updated for fans forum re half backs and Crookes rumour. for the sake of clarity Lynch replacement could be an indirect one eg Langley to prop and a replacement for him.

Edited for Raynor and Lynch

Well it wouldn't be a bulls pre-season without the need to bed in at least 7 new players

At least 7 if you take the view that several of the existing squad have not had much recent game time such as Walker Ainscough Heath Langley Diskin and probably several more I cant be bothered to try and remember or look at SB's squad list