I was thinking the same thing - what terrible wrong has Frankie suffered at the hands of WTW?

As far as I can see, he's been man-managed in a way that his boss deemed appropriate and it appears to have done the trick; if he decides to up-sticks off the back of it, that says more about him than it does about us.

On a broader point - I wonder if the RFL's clear intention to ram home a 12 team SL will have any impact on certain club's ability to make signings beyond next season? If I were a player, I'd expect my representative to take that into account when advising me.

I think he has been overlooked when he has been the better option, I don't buy the poor attitude reason, and I haven't seen anything more from him since he returned that I didn't see before he was omitted from the squad. If he goes then Agar consistently selecting inferior players ahead of him will have contributed. If he feels more valued at another club then fair do's.

Well that's not an opinion I share - Mariano is a great athlete and a good player but he was also prone to being a show pony. Who are these poorer options as IMHO I'm struggling.

He wasn't overlooked he was deliberately ignored and rightly so for me and I was saying it before Agar bit the bullet. He needed dropping and he needed a lesson. If that still irks him Cas are welcome to him as they are the experts with petulant players.

An excellent point worthy of a discussion on its own. Trinity suffered in the 2011 season due to the sword of Damocles having over them but this time it could be any two of four who could make way. I guess/hope it will depend on league position at the end of the license period so the teams have their destiny in their own hands. One thing to note Tuson signed up until 2016 I think.

Mellars, Lynn and Molloy.

Value is a very subjective thing in this case; the lad clearly has talent and ability but being part of a team calls for more than that - he also has to fit in with the culture, buy in to the ethos of what the coach is doing and make a positive contribution to the whole club. Any player not doing that diminishes the effectiveness of the team as a whole and unless you want player power to take hold, tough decisions have to be made.

Fortunately, we only see the performance side of things - we are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes, so we are prone to making judgements based on only half the information; those judgements, by extension, are likely to be wrong.

Lynn plays centre/wing a position that Mariano rarely competes for these days - and I'm sure you like me were lording his early season form.

Mellars I don't get other than perhaps an attempt to put him in the shop window.

Molloy played when Mariano was on loan, didn't pay off.

However Wallshaw and especially Anakin got a chance and both are now obvious replacements for Mariano as is Tuson and Tickitwickita (never remember his name). So it works both ways.

Not a dig at you but it makes me laugh when folk say Agar doesn't promote young players but when he does he's attacked for ignoring existing ones - there are only 17 places available!

Sounds about right to me, its not always down to the player.

He doesn't fit with Agar for whatever reason and thats the end of it.

Then why has he been picked twice in a row?

Im really not sure on Frankie. Yes he has his good games, but i once heard him described by an ex member of staff as a flat track bully and that may well be the case. I know he hasnt played every week, and i may have forgotten one, but his best 2 games i think have been against Hemel & London, 2 of teh easier sides we will play this year.
He shows glimpses of what he could be but then in the same game can also show examples of why he will never reach the level of say, a Kirmond.

Ive seen a lot worse in a Trin shirt and wouldnt be unhappy if he signed on again, but at the same time i wouldnt be breaking the bank to ensure he did! Im confused????

I don't know, what does that prove anyway.

He picked RL 4 or 5 times in a row, that imo tells you more.

Obviously that your previous statement about Mariano simply not fitting into Agars plans have been blown out of the water as he has been getting selected.

Picking RL 4-5 times in a row tells me that he's prepared to give a young player a chance to prove himself, which at the start of the season he was doing very well.

Thats it Vasty resort to a personal insult as I made you look a fool once again! Maybe Agar had no option becuase the team was appauling in Marianos absence?

Not rocket science ! Anyway he's joining Cas good look to him awful decision by the club. Young natural athlete, utility value quick, srtong, can tackle, offload 7 match winning streak this guy in the team, we are mad young and british ! Big mistake

Something you do on a regular basis, so quit whining.

Im not whining people like you don't bother me its hard been correct 90% of the time, must be awful for you lot knowing I prove youall wrong.

Being.
Wrong again

Get back on topic please. Less bullying if not your posts will be taken down

Apology accepted.

I rate Mariano, but he's 26, effectively half way through his career, so I wouldn't place him in the young/potential bracket.

I don't really see how its the clubs fault for him going to Castleford if it is true. He makes his own decisions not the club - Im pretty sure hes playing now to earn his new contract for next year?

A player selected does not make you " in the plans" it means he needed hinm to do a job

RL and Agars persistence in selecting him when CLEARLY out of form tells me some players are more "in the plans" than others.

You obviously see it differently.

I completely agree, Al.

If Mariano has signed for Cas, there was always that possibility, with Powell now being Cas coach. Can't disagree that he has played well last two games, but we have played two out of sorts sides in Salford and London. Let's see how he goes next Monday at Hull. On the back of last years form, he was rewarded with a new deal for this season, but something wasn't quite right up to now. Maybe Agar doesn't want to have a player only playing at the top of his game when it's time for contracts to be renewed. As has been pointed out, we have plenty of cover in the back row. Make him an offer, but not worth breaking the bank for.

Yea I agree with you Al. Molloy and mellers were that bad he had no choice to bring MAriano back and Trout isn't upto it either. Don't blame Frankie for leaving. He wasn't a yes man he had personality something MR A cannot like. Hes basically said to Tuson if hes upto it no matter what he will be starting in the 2nd row wk in wk out next year. Mariano looked like a very good centre yesterday nobody on the line would stop frankie one on one in that position. Cas have a very good playher for next year.

How exactly do you know that then ? because imo you seem to be making things up here.