I am starting to worry, looking at the first choice back line and the fact we have to make Mini FT... where's the cash coming from. My feeling is that our backline could hold it's own mid to low SL so that's gonna cost...

Where've we found all this cloth from?!?!?!

3k ST at (average) £200. That’s a fair wedge. Central funding, merchandising, sponsorship. It all adds up.
Looking at the timeframe for ordering stuff, this is probably Chalmers’ first Xmas sales period that he will have stock, at the time he wants it

I read an interview with Damian Irvine where he confirmed that Andrew Chalmers gives substantial financial support. Vision On are also generous sponsors. The hospitality facilities generate income, plus nearly all players are individually sponsored. The two play off games were a substantial windfall as well.

There'll be other signing announcements to come, I'm sure.

I'd be surprised if we don't at least try to sign Garside. And it will be part-time, as he has a decent job as a teacher and doesn't want to be full-time. There's also James Laithwaite who we might sign.

It's interesting that we announced Dalton Grant for next year ages afgo. As its turned out, he now looks like he is going to backup only....

I think Grant is decent back up for the Champipnship.

I forgot until yesterday that we also signed a winger from Hunslet. It made me wonder if Kear sees Hitchcox as extra cover for the centres if needed.

In the back row we will definitely need some signings if Garside / Laithwaite don’t sign. We have Storton and Hodgson coming through and I suppose Hallas / Milton to come into the frame there next season. Not quite good enough to aim for top 5 yet IMO

I'd imagine that the bulk of the new/re-signings for next year will be announced by the club over the next two weeks.

It just makes sense as the early bird deadline has been announced as ending as of the 31st and the club will want to combine that with announcements of improvements to the squad to maximise ticket sales

Maybe Hitchcox will play centre with Grant outside him? It's certainly an option...

He's a bit of a headless chicken. Stick him on the wing where he can't get out of position too much. I think he would get exploited by the better teams. Get him outside a quality centre he will get a sack full.

Or at least the good ones will be announced. Any not quite as good might be kept quiet until after the deadline

Must say I’d expected another announcement today playerwise we are still short in quality imo

There's still two weeks to end of early bird offer. I'd expect them to be spaced out every few days. Allow excitement of Hitchcox to die down then hit us with another

If you read the early bird press release they say they are announcing there ‘headliners’ over the next 7 days so one would assume that would be the remainder of the squad?

I'd guess it's the ones already secured, but obviously all clubs wil be on the lookout for anyone who pops up out of the blue, so to speak. There may as well be one or two who are 'having conversations' but not yet over the line, as they say. I'd worry about the squad when the announcements, in and out, are all done.

Interesting to see Alex Brown in the Jamaica squad. I thought he had retired altogether?

Was all very strange wasn't it Got to admit though I would have much preferred him to Grant his ball return was very good over the years

He's been playing RU for Cleckheaton recently

Off topic but Leeds have signed Konrad Hurrell.
Anyone unfamiliar with this bloke just wait until you see him play next season. Runs the ball in like a freight train, if Leeds can keep him fit he will be very entertaining to watch.

I can see him being another Vatuvai

A bit harsh. Vatuvai snapped his achilles and was also at the end of his career.
Without that season ending injury who knows how well he would have done?

He'd also been injured a bit the previous 2 seasons I think

Konrad Hurrell?Average in the NRL,2 tries in 18 games last season.A poor man's Latrell Mitchell imo.May do better over here.we'll see.

Elliot Minchella has signed a full time deal until 2021. Awesome news!

That is as good as a new signing.. How good can me be now that he is full time.. deserved award for a top top guy

great news

That's fantastic news and well deserved.