Its that time of the year when players that are off contract start to take stock of their options for next year. I think we can safely say we will still be in the championship next year so who should we be looking to re-sign and who potentially could be available... and would want to come to the Bulls for 2020?

Bulls contracted for 2020 - Brandon Pickersgill, Jy Hitchcox, Jake Webster, Joe Keyes, Rowan Milnes, Steve Crossley, Elliott Minchella, Connor Farrell, Evan Hodgson, Matty Storton, Thomas Doyle

Bulls OOC - Dee Foggin-Johnston, Josh Rickett, Dalton Grant, Ethan Ryan, Ashley Gibson, Ross Oakes, Rhys Evans, Jordan Lilley, Dane Chisholm, Matty Wildie, Sam Hallas, George Flanagan, James Green, Liam Kirk, Callum Bustin, Ross Peltier, Jon Magrin, Matt Garside, George Milton, Mikey Wood, Brad Gallagher, Colton Roche

From the OOC players I'd be happy to see us tie up DFJ, Ryan, Oakes, Evans, Lilley, Wildie, Green, Kirk, Bustin, Peltz and Mikey Wood. The rest i'd not really be too bothered about seeing them released.

Super League players OOC list has been revealed...

CASTLEFORD TIGERS - Cory Aston, Mitch Clark, Tuoyo Egodo, Kieran Gill, Will Maher, Greg Minikin.

CATALANS DRAGONS - Jodie Broughton, Kenny Edwards, Tony Gigot, Benjamin Jullien, Samisoni Langi, Thibaud Margalet, Antoni Maria, Lewis Tierney

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS - Michael Lawrence, Alex Mellor

HULL FC - Gareth Ellis, Bureta Faraimo, Chris Green, Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Jack Logan, Sika Manu, Mark Minichiello, Mickey Paea, Jack Sanderson, Cameron Scott, Danny Washbrook, Joe Westerman

HULL KINGSTON ROVERS - Danny Addy, Chris Atkin, Josh Drinkwater, James Greenwood, Craig Hall, Tommy Lee, Shaun Lunt, Ryan Shaw, Nick Scruton

LEEDS RHINOS - James Donaldson, Brad Dwyer, Brett Ferres, Cameron Smith

LONDON BRONCOS - Jordan Abdull, James Cunningham, Matt Fleming, Matt Gee, Ben Hellewell, Mark Ioane, Elliot Kear, Eloi Pelissier, Morgan Smith, Alex Walker, Rhys Williams, Luke Yates

SALFORD RED DEVILS - Mark Flanagan, George Griffin, Jackson Hastings, Krisnan Inu, Greg Johnson, Josh Jones, Rob Lui, Ben Nakubuwai, Kris Welham

ST HELENS - Kyle Amor, Luke Douglas, Theo Fages, Ryan Morgan, Adam Swift, Zeb Taia

WAKEFIELD TRINITY - Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Jordan Baldwinson, Ryan Hampshire, Justin Horo, Danny Kirmond, Pauli Pauli, Tyler Randell

WARRINGTON WOLVES - Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Bryson Goodwin, Lama Tasi, Ben Westwood

WIGAN WARRIORS - Joe Burgess, Tony Clubb, Sean O’Loughlin, Dan Sarginson


I'd like to see Cameron Scott back at the club where it started but think he'll get another deal at Hull, Mitch Clark went well for us as did Egodo but both might be retained at Cas. Apart from that I can't see many wanting to drop down a league.

Nor can I but some are bound to find themselves surplus to requirements. It’ll be interesting to see if who we can hang onto. I’d go along with most of your list that I’d like to see us keep but depending on who we might attract I think we might see one or two depart.

Toronto might release a player or two if they go up as well. Unless they just swap the odd player or two with whoever comes down this year

I think a list of Championship ooc players might be useful too but unlikely anyone will go to the trouble of making one.
I can't see us attracting much SL talent from that list, but I'd be keeping an eye on London if they come down and Toronto if they go up. I'd take Cunningham, Kear, Ioane and Walker from London but realistically don't think any of them would make the move.

As much as I'm glad that promotion to SL is now fair, The promoted Championship sides will get the last pick of the bunch.it would be better if the Anti Tampering deadline was at the end of the Championship season and the Championship season finished 4-6 weeks before SL finished. At least then the promoted club would have a fair crack at signing players they want, instead of who is left after all the SL clubs have signed theirs well before the season has finished.

Dee Foggin-Johnston, Josh Rickett, Dalton Grant, Ethan Ryan, Ashley Gibson, Ross Oakes, Rhys Evans, Jordan Lilley, Dane Chisholm, Matty Wildie, Sam Hallas, George Flanagan, James Green, Liam Kirk, Callum Bustin, Ross Peltier, Jon Magrin, Matt Garside, George Milton, Mikey Wood, Brad Gallagher, Colton Roche

Defo try and resign

DFG
Grant
Ryan
Lakes
Evans
Lilley
Wildie
Gallas
Green
Kirk
Justin
Peltier
Wood
Roche

Don't know enough about Gallagher, but of he's highly thought of then him too.
Rickett I like but doesn't look like he's going to get a sniff and they're talking this young Murphy up from the academy.

Gibson looks like he's fallen behind Oakes, and with Webster, Evans and Minchella all being picked in front of him it looks like the writing is on the wall for Ash. Same with Garside, Storton and Hodgson looked to have edged in front of him.

Chisholm as we know is gone.

Margin and Milton dont seem up to it.

Biggest dilemma is Georgey Boy. Upto last week I'd have kept him at all costs, but he is our interchange hooker and with the emergence of Doyle, we could probably let him go if we secure Wildie.

It will be a major achievement to retain Ryan. Hes the best finisher in the game and can play on the wing and full back (probably centre too). Every SL (and some NRL) clubs will have the cheque book out.
As much as the guy seems to love the Bulls, we're all human and hes going to get some huge offers.
I'll just enjoy watching him whilst we can.

I think the club have been delaying offering deals to some of the younger players in order to see how they develop. It’s a fine balancing act because they might think they’re not wanted and start looking elsewhere. I’m sure the agents will be touting everyone around.

It was interesting to hear Kear’s comments when he was asked about Ethan Ryan after the weekend’s game. He said that although SL teams may be interested players should look at how James Bentley has fared since he left. If you’re not going to be first choice then there’s a good chance you’ll be sent on loan and that’s not good for a young player’s development.

If I’m honest I think Ryan could probably get a first team spot on the wing at Cas. He’s easily as good as James Clare, probably better now. However I think longer term he can become a better player at fullback but I’m not so sure he’s SL material in that position..yet. In the end he’s still only 22 and could command an even bigger deal in a year or two. If he goes I wouldn’t be surprised.

If I was being ruthless I’s say we could probably replace the likes of Gibson, Magrin and Milton without any issue. None of them have really looked like they’re getting back in the side.

Josh Rickett would remain cheap and can do a job. DFJ has been solid, as has Grant but neither are likely to improve on what they’re already doing. I can see us keeping them on similar deals. As for Hallas and Flanagan we need backup for Wildie and I think we need three hookers at the club. Flanagan is knocking on a bit now and I’d use his money to keep Doyle and Hallas. Hallas is no hooker but he gives 100% and is versatile and has age on his side.

I’d definitely try and keep Ryan, Oakes, Evans, Lilley, Wildie, Green, Kirk, Bustin, Peltier and Wood.

Anybody read that article about Ryan in the paper? Does it give much away?

Im blocked from reading it because I haven't signed.up.

It’s basically a re-hash of Kear’s post match interview where he states that players wishing to go to SL clubs should consider if they’d be happy if they were sent on loan or dual reg.

Thanks

Which is a sensible thing for young players to consider. Just because you're signed by an SL club, it doesn't follow that you'll get in the first team there

Rickett had offers from at least two other clubs before deciding to stay for 2019. I don't know who one of them was, but certainly the one I do know, he'd have got more game time. I'd expect if he hasn't managed to crack the first team by the end of the season, he'll be more likely to take up the offer at a club where he'll have a chance of playing.

I wouldn't be concerned about the promoted club picking up players from the relegated club

IF it turns out to be Toronto they'll be setting their sights higher. They can pay transfer fees to get players and they'll doubtless have their eyes on players from the NRL. They won't need to be picking up scraps from London!

There'll be a fair few from the SL OOC list who will be dropping down. They might not want to, but they won't necessarily have the choice. Clubs will be promoting up some of their younger players, as well as signing people from abroad, and so there will definitely be some who will be surplus to requirements, just like we signed people like Webster and Evans this year.

So why not us signing up some of them? Who else is going to have a bigger player budget than us next season in the Championship?

If we get promoted though we will have the dregs of the list. Thankfully our name still has a pull so we may be able to tempt some others.

That's not really gonna happen though

Technically we signed Evans from another champ club so he's a bad example. Webster and Hitchcox could have stayed in SL I reckon and yes we did well to sign them.
I'm not sure Webster has been worth money so far though. Not through any fault of his own, but our style of play means that he's not getting the ball enough and definitely not where he's most dangerous. I'd rather we make shrewd signings rather than big name ones.

As for playing budgets, we'll probably be behind London if they come down, Widnes if they stay up, Toulouse and probably Leigh if Derek starts spending again.

Go incognito (private) on Chrome and it will let you read them. I had the same problem but didn’t want to sign up!

I think Webster probably been one of our best players. He also looks like a leader on the field that gives others around him confidence.

I agree.

He's been great for us so far.

Yep he has been very consistent, I just wish we'd give him the ball a bit more when we're in the oppo 20 or with a bit of space in front of him. Webster shouldn't have to be coming in field to get a touch of the ball, or driving it in against a set of forwards.

Agree about Webbo, he's been class as far as I'm concerned.

So long as we finish top 5 then we have as good chance as anybody in the playoffs.

I really think if we get top 5 we would see what Kear is all about. Sheff should have never won that cup final. Wakey should never had stayed up when Cas went down. I would be delighted if as a promoted side we could finish in the top 5 I think that would warrant a very good season. I actually wonder if promotion would hinder the progression the club has made should we over achieve this year and manage it

As long as we don't get giddy, I don't see promotion to SL as a negative thing. I don't honestly think we'll do it, the team is just a step to low in quality in certain areas, but a couple more older heads next year and retaining the core of the lads who've come through the Odsal ranks should see us in good stead.

After all, if Toronto go up this year, it'll be a very different playing field in the Championship next year.