He went over as a fullback, and he was an exciting prospect but he’s 31 and he hasn’t managed to secure regular first team rugby week in week out at any club in SL.

At 31 he’s as good as he ever is going to be, which outside a decent carry, isn’t very.

Walmsley is 26 and in his first year as a full time professional. He does have his faults however he’s only going to get better physically and as a player as he progresses in a full time environment.

Russell has a better carry than Walmsley undoubtedly but I don’t see any other area where he is superior.

Like I said I really hope the rumour isn’t true I don’t see any reason why we would go for him. I’m hopeful it’s simply a case of crossed wires that have grown as a rumour out of our links to Oliver Russell.

Completely agree with you jonh^. In terms of recruitment this might be our trickiest spot.

I remember talking to Matty Russell's old coach at Warrington (Russell will have been about 21 at the time), who said that his footwork was 'scary' and he'd be amazed if he didn't play for England. But he never really got any better. He's great at getting sets started, but that really is it.

He's almost the opposite style of winger to Walmsley (would be very happy to eat my words if you can find Walmsley's post-contact stats and they're anywhere near Olpherts or McGillvary, Trojan).

Walmsley's good under the high ball, class in open space and even better with a tight space to score in. Basically, he's Tom Johnstone playing at 50%. So for balance, next year I'd prefer a Thing on the Wing to skittle knackered defences coming off our own line, like McGillvary but consistently fit and with a few more years in him. Absolutely nothing wrong with Olpherts as back-up (and pushing to start), but I think we should go back into the market for another top winger (Mika Sivo, anyone?) And if that doesn't happen, Walmsley deserves a year to prove he can do it at the top level, but I think he'll prove too light, personally.

As bizarre as Leeds's clause with Jestin Harris?
Of course there was a clause, just like Tomkins had with Wigan, Its not unusual for a club to release a player early and negotiate a return clause

We didn't release him early though, he left his contract expired. Will Catalans have a clause with Johnstone and McMeeken? Huddersfield with Russell?

I think you'll find that he signed his contract whilst still under contract, the agreement is with the player and his agent not the club he's gone to, hence my reference to Jestin Harris

The Walmsley downing i do not get.McGillvary as played 7 games in 22 matches so to me as used Wakefield as a pay check .,so Olpherts is in the team on merit Come as a bit of a surprise the rugby we are playing under the Coaching was hoping for fast open rugby but gone down the root of a big big pack ,that is fine until they get injured then we have no plan B This post as nothing to do with the Bradford match

Don’t agree with that. The injury list is pretty large at the moment and that’s a factor. Trinity players are finding different ways to win although sometimes it’s not pretty.

You play to your strengths and that’s down the middle but we have scored many tries on the edges with good plays so I can’t agree with your thoughts here.

As for McGillvray. I think he’s just been rushed back for Wembley and it appears it’s his arm still that’s the issue. I’m sure he’s wanting to get on the pitch and has been a workhorse when he’s played so he’s worth it based ok that. While we have Walmsley and Olpherts though McGillvray can focus on getting right for the business end.

I'm not sure why people think liking Olpherts on the wing is bagging Walmsley.
Two good players with different styles that's all.

All players use clubs as a pay check, what a daft thing to bash one player about.

Wouldn't worry me too much if we didn't see McGiivray again until the playoffs. Those games will be crucial for the IMG bonus points.

In the NSW Cup team of the week https://x.com/LeagueScenePod/status/1813341743615729779

In the NSW Cup team of the week https://x.com/LeagueScenePod/status/1813341743615729779

I bet Gill is looking down that list to see who's available.

Good for t'lad.Hope he gets his chance before too long.

Gets in team of week then not playing again. Also just seen Daniel Tupou signs a 2 year contract extension. I thought if Tupou moved on that Murphy was going to get a shot it would be when the Giraffe moved on. This only says to me they either think Lewis isn't ready or will possibly release him. Got to be frustrated playing superleague and probably a starter each week for several teams to playing reserves and not always getting a game. Hope we do have a first dibs on him if does return.

There’s a plethora of 1-5 that haven’t made it in the NRL, that’s to say if he doesn’t get a gig over there. There’s been a lot better more established players come back to SL because it’s not worked out for them. Competition will be incredible over there compared to over here especially in a quality side like the roosters.

Murphy was never going to be a starter for the Roosters, even during Origin period. The purpose of him moving over there is for development and to sit under the learning tree of all their current stars and coaching staff. I know it sounds like it defeats the object saying this, but playing Rugby League won't always make you a better player, him playing 25-30 games for Trinity this season wouldn't have been as good for his development as playing 5-10 games in the NSW Cup and being within the Roosters environment.

With Dominic Young, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Sua'ali'i, Mark Nawaranitawase, Junior Pauga, Ethan King, Tyreece Tait and even Joey Manu ahead of you - you have to pray for a miracle to get a chance in that first team.

He has also been injured for a good chunk of the season and the Roosters NSW Cup team hasn't gone so well this season, (currently 12th / 13), so he's doing fine and I wouldn't be worrying about him too much. Although it would be nice to see him back, even just sitting as a spectator in the Roosters squad is beneficial.

But what are they developing him for?! You've just listed loads of players in front of him, they have a conveyor belt of young talent over there, better than him at a similar age level etc, etc. Do you think in a few years he will be a regular starter for them, scoring lots of tries, then maybe scoring the winning try for GB in an Ashes series, then they take the credit for it because they developed his skills?! I hope he does get something out of his experience being there, but like I've said before, I don't get what they get out of it.

I don't understand why you don't understand that.
They see some talent and want to develop it.
No one knows where he'll end up but they are prepared to find out.

By taking him now they get the best chance to develop him rather than an English team ruining him.

Would Dom Young be as good if he hadn't gone to Oz?

What don't I understand?! They want to develop his talent in order to benefit them by playing first grade for years to come, then great, but is he more exceptional than anything they already have at that stage of development? I don't actually know do I, i'm assuming, just like you are in what you say, including that an English team would ruin him?! I've no idea whether Young would have been as good do I?! No-one does, Good luck to Lewis, I hope he does develop over there and further down the line like I've said he'll be starring for England/GB against the Aussies......

You said "I don't get what they get out of it"
I took that as meaning you didn't understand why they would do it.

In terms of whether an English team would ruin him. History tells us that players developing in Oz prove more successful. Both in physique and skills.
They just have more investment than us.

Like Penrith have more players in their pathway programmes than we have playing the game in this country. They won't all be successful. But they are giving them all every chance so they reap the rewards.
I guess they are just including a kid with some success and recommendation who wants to give it a go.

I'm not being critical here but how many players who chose to leave wakefield, despite being looked after by the club have commanded so much attention?
I dont get it - he walked, I'm happy with TJ and LW next season.
Murphy is gone and we surely move on without him, he clearly didnt want to stay with Trinity!

I think the difference here, for me anyway, is that he didn't leave to go to another rival club. He went to a far better league for a chance of a lifetime.
I kinda still think of him as a Wakefield player.

Whereas Tanginoa or Miller went to a rival so they are now just a note in the history book

Fair comment - you're more tolerant than me PT - once they've chosen to go I tend to blank them out .
TJ was a bit different because he committed to our cause, for years, when he too could have walked.

Same as my thinking. Couldn’t care less about Tanginoa etc but Murphy is different. And if we have a clause we’d be silly not to look into it at least.

Murphy went to the NRL because in terms of coaching, competition, environment and payment it's streets ahead - especially at a top club like the Roosters. It's like moving to SL from the championship. Speak to any kid playing RL over here and 99% would fancy a move there. It's a short career and you'd kick yourself later if you didn't give it a go if offered the chance.

It may be it doesn't work out like it didn't for the likes of Mathers, Watkins, Williams etc or he could end up like Young, Whitehead or even Sam Burgess. If Wakey were on the ball they would've negotiated some sort of clause where they get first dibs on him somehow if that doesn't prove a restraint of trade.