Awesome news. I did wonder about Mr Evans what with Union being all cashed up and all but it's good to see at least one club in SL has the ambition to keep the players they have developed.

Centre cover for next season - Bridge, Atkins, Blythe, Evans, Monaghan & Grix. We can use Matt's money in other areas if he does go which I think is likely.

Rather than disrupt the squad too much, spread the money around on improved deals for those on the fringes who warrant it and bring through a couple more from the U20's

Pleased about all 3. Particularly the long contract given to Rhys Evans.

On the subject of King, I can honestly say that his injury has proven that we can more than cope without him if he goes. He took a long time to show his value but eventually managed to prove his class.

But just goes to show how good we are if a player of his class is injured and the team haven't missed a beat.

I remember the same being said about Bridge when he was having his injury problems...

To be fair to Joel he is on record as saying he would be happy to see out his career at Warrington if things worked out for him. So its good news.

I think if Matt was staying he would have signed last season when Monas senior re-signed.

At least he can say he honoured his contract to those who doubted him

But there are probably one or two more turns before the season is out

Quote ="leagueorunion"Joel decision pleasantly surprised me the most, as for some reason i had a doubt that it would be a one year stint. 3 great signings, roll on a couple more... Could someone confirm our quota and players though to end debate RE King going?'" Summarised here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=475642 As far as I know, we have 5 overseas players (Hodgson, King, Monas, Monas, Anderson) plus Solomona (but he doesn't count as he was here pre-200icon_cool.gif and we will still be allowed 5 in 2012. So, providing we aren't planning to bring anyone in, there is no quota reason why any of King, Anderson or Solomona would need to leave.

Quote ="leagueorunion"Joel decision pleasantly surprised me the most, as for some reason i had a doubt that it would be a one year stint. 3 great signings, roll on a couple more... Could someone confirm our quota and players though to end debate RE King going?'" Summarised here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=475642 As far as I know, we have 5 overseas players (Hodgson, King, Monas, Monas, Anderson) plus Solomona (but he doesn't count as he was here pre-200icon_cool.gif and we will still be allowed 5 in 2012. So, providing we aren't planning to bring anyone in, there is no quota reason why any of King, Anderson or Solomona would need to leave.

If Louis , Matt and Big Dave can stay then that is great news.

Quote ="SEB"Summarised here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=475642 As far as I know, we have 5 overseas players (Hodgson, King, Monas, Monas, Anderson) plus Solomona (but he doesn't count as he was here pre-200icon_cool.gif and we will still be allowed 5 in 2012. So, providing we aren't planning to bring anyone in, there is no quota reason why any of King, Anderson or Solomona would need to leave.'" Cheers

Quote ="SEB"Summarised here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=475642 As far as I know, we have 5 overseas players (Hodgson, King, Monas, Monas, Anderson) plus Solomona (but he doesn't count as he was here pre-200icon_cool.gif and we will still be allowed 5 in 2012. So, providing we aren't planning to bring anyone in, there is no quota reason why any of King, Anderson or Solomona would need to leave.'" Cheers

Hello all,

New to the forum, but have been reading for a while now.

Im Dan from Warrington and have followed the wire for a good 15+ years now.

Great news on the signings and now the big question of Mr King???

Will his departure leave the door open for an overseas half back to start to bed in with Briers being used in a similar role to the plan with Hodgson this year??

Would hate to see Louis go, got alot of good rugby in him!

With Widnes no doubt coming into SL next year have to agree that they could be sniffing around for the likes of Clarke.

Why is everyone so convinced King is or even might be leaving? Just because the Aussie media speculated about it in the off season? They know as much about SL sometimes as Nosey Parker so I wouldn't believe every rumour they come up with. Anyone got anything solid to base his possible departure on?

I think he will go becasue he's what 30, and let's be honest isn't needed anymore we have enough good centres to live without him.

I honestly thought we would have heard by now re King, but you never know in reality. May still be mulling it over and seeing how he recovers first. The club may also be mulling this over. Alot of mulling there.

Wouldn't make a great deal of difference at the moment either way which says alot about our recent form and strength in depth. That said I'd be delighted if he said he'll be here again next year.

That's a different argument and a pretty new one. People keep saying they think he wants to leave without there being any actual evidence of that.

I'm pretty good with body language, he always seems to subtley segway any talks of going beyond his contract, i'd love him to stay but i'd stake any reputation i have on him leaving at the end of his contract, it's just the little 'tells' i get from him.

I reckon with him & Louis, their families will have a pretty big say in their decisions, I know that's the same for most overseas players like.

Maybe Louis will want to see what Vinnie is doing next, if it's back to NZ for Vinny, closer to the family etc, he may consider following as they've always seemed pretty tight over here.

King settling (or not) seemed to be as much about his Mrs as it did him initially, so I guess it may work the other way now, if she's super settled then it might be enough to keep him, and then there's that cricket racket.

I think the idea that King is leaving is just because everybody assumes, probably fairly, that he is one of the highest earners in the squad.

Given that we have a fixed salary cap, and have had a number of young players who have enhanced their reputation in the last couple of years, plus some existing players who have signed new deals and will justifiably have been able to get increases, there needs to be some cutbacks elsewhere.

It's probably likely that one of the big earners is going to have to leave. Who will it be? King's contact is up, he's had an injury this year, we have other players in his position, plus he could probably get a good deal elsewhere.

I think signing Joel Monaghan for 3 years is a sign that King will be the one to feel the squeeze. Not necessarily that we won't offer him a new deal but that there might not be much left in the pot and he might be disappointed by what he gets offered to stay, and will know he could get a biggish deal elsewhere.

maybe he will join Widnes.....

That might be on the cards. Widnes will probably be looking to make a big name signing to establish credibility so when they approach other players, they sound like a team who means business. Cullen knows King, he could stay in the local area, wouldn't be too much upheaval. King would also be a safer bet than signing a high profile player from Australia who you don't know if he'll settle into SL.

I think there is an even greater possibility that King could go to Wigan. You can see the draw.. Wigan have no centres (if Carmont goes/Gleeson), and then there's the old Melbourne contacts there.

Not at all unfeasible. Rather him not however..

Hasn't King said that the only two clubs he'll play for are; Warrington and Melbourne?

correct

Let him leave if he wants to. We have had one okay season out of him.

That was probably to win some popularity points from an interview with a local paper. Whats he gonna do if he doesn't get offered a deal by us but Wayne Bennett offers to make him St George Illawarras best paid player. "Sorry Wayne, still waiting on Melbourne otherwise its back to being a dustman for me"

I'd be massively shocked, Bennett announced this was his last season at St George a couple of days ago!

Just a couple of days after Wayne Bennett announces that this is his last season at the Dragons we get an announcement that Widnes are awarded a SL franchise from 2012 onwards...... Coincedence ?