Does anyone know if will Dagger has gone to Cas ? Liam Watts is mentoring him ?

I read a report linking him with York

Really? Why would Watts mentor anyone?

I heard York too but that might have been when they thought there was a chance of promotion.

I think that was a misprint & should’ve read Sam Hall.

He’s going to York.

I thought that we were trying to persuade him to stay.

There was an article on-line somewhere regarding Watts resigning and that he wanted to mentor younger players at Cas, there was a photograph of Dagger in the same article, for some strange reason.

Lazy journalism strikes again...
Clearly see that Will has a Wakey top on!

You'd hope so given who we traded for him, and above all else I thought he played well.

I would have hoped now York are out of the run in for the Super League he would want to stay full time with us. Great kicker, good player. Just hard done by this year by Applegarth, he would have started every game if it was up to me.

I was less than happy when we swapped Hall for him but, aside from Fifita coming back, he's been our best signing of the season and his ability to play from 1 - 7 and to an excellent standard, has been a huge bonus.
Sadly, Applegarth persisted with Lino and Gale in the halves, when Dagger was a better option.

I read contracts could be ended by players or teams if they drop out of the Super League (i'm not 100% sure on this though). I'd be questioning Lino's contract renewal if I was Powell.

You are right, but that clause was taken out of Lino's to get him to sign.
So you'd have to pay his contract up to move him on.

He almost did play most tbf. Think he was injured for a few of them.

Personally im not overly fussed if he signs or not.

I’d rather us find a quality halfback, 9 or loose.

Dagger would offer good utility. Perhaps if Powell sees him as a good option at 6 but I don’t see him playing elsewhere as a starter which I’m sure he will want.

I suppose we will see in 2024 if Lino is good enough at championship level. Perhaps he may find more space but if he’s going to be a running half then we need a strong halfback along side him.

If we were to sign one or two overseas then for me one would be a halfback. Think Faamanu Brown and Brandon Wakeham are without contracts presently but who knows.

Must say I was shocked at the 3 year deal when it was announced for Lino. I really hope he proves he can offer more next season.

I watched a few highlights for Wigan Reserves and Hampshire seems to be going well at halfback for them so wonder if that maybe worth looking at. There’s certainly some options out there.

Must be at least a week since Hampshire had his name mentioned. Move along, nothing to see here.

Good back up fullback and half, would be happy to keep him if he was happy for that role. Defence and yardage not good enough to play anywhere else sadly

Same I never really got the hype.

Gale is signed up for next season isn't he?

If we get speed in the three- quarters and 9 could work .It did with Finn in is first season

Other than Gales first game where he really took charge I haven’t been impressed by Gale. He was largely anonymous in most of the games. I personally wouldn’t be happy going into next season with a halfback combination of Gale/Lino.

It will probably fare better in the championship but there must be better available.

I agree with this, I actually thought the last 3 or 4 games Lino looked much better than Gale did.

But despite all that effort he was still largely ineffective in an attacking sense. Against HKR, up until the yellow card, I thought we looked much quicker with ball in hand and subsequently more threatening, as we have in all the games Lino has missed. Coincidence?

He did I agree. But as below still not good enough and for some reason Lino seems to struggle to link up and create space on the edges. There’s a few elements that really hold him back like the stop, delay and pass at the line which is predictable. Sometimes it’s jus best to send the ball straight on even received to stretch the line. His decision making in this isn’t great.

I think he will find more space in the championship for his running game but alot of work is needed with the halfbacks pre season and we need to bring in a strong signing here.

I wouldn’t be adverse to Gale assisting in the coaching set up and being a rotation option for 2024.

I just think we need a strong signing in this area and some change.