I often say with Mini that if it was like American Football and we could take players off when defending, he would be a brilliant player. When hes actually in position to make a tackle he is ok, but he gets caught flat footed and squared up far too often for a man of his experience playing that position. Look at Westerman's try last week for a recent case in point. It blows my mind when I see people blasting Griffin or Talanoa for their defence whilst in other threads people are debating whether or not Mini would be in Hulls best all time team. He would only just make my first choice 17 from our current squad.

He wont be on a pittance and is a quota spot, so if it was up to me I would let him go, put faith in Turgut and Hadley, and spend his money elsewhere.

It's not wanting Ellis for the role, he is getting the job he has a lot of connections and AP trusts him.

I do truly believe it's odd how he can do no wrong. But your stance is overly harsh for me. When he's on he's truly an asset. But you are right regarding some of the stuff he does. Plays with the zest and enthusiasm of a 21 yr old and forgets all he must of learnt in the game at times. But I also think that's what makes him so effective as well.

Tbf I am just pointing out the bad bits to strengthen my arguement, there are undoubtedly lots of good things he brings. Very strong ball carrier, runs good lines, a good leader and a model pro. I still wouldnt renew though.

Wouldnt surprise me, plus I would image he will have done some further education in his spare time to set himself up for a position like this.

if mini feels he can do another year get him signed up, cant believe some wouldn't, 100% all the time and plays big min, always a handful, as for bjb hes an up grade for micheals and imo offers more,

If he was a replacement for Michaels then I'm all for it. As a replacement for Fonua we would lose an awful lot in go forward.

We was interested in him before he went to Wakefield if I recall.

Weren't we after BJB a couple of years ago and then he chose Wakey?

Wonder if we are looking at using a quota space for an impact forward?

If micheals and fonua are leaving we need at least 1 winger maybe 2 if binman goes. In fairness not many wingers around to replace fonua one for one. We gonna miss him .

Talanoa, Minichello and Washbrook signed new deals apparently.

Washy is invaluable to the squad. I'm not against the other two, but they have bigger question marks. Im a big fan of Talanoa, but his injury record of late is a concern. And I've already made my case about Minichiello. Not against either signing, but I think if it was up to me I might have explored other options, especially in Mini's case.

I assume one guy that will be leaving is Michaels. Although he shouldnt have too much trouble finding another SL club.

I think to replace both Ellis and Mini in one season would have been near impossible, I see your point about Mini, but hopefully less minutes will improve his game.

I think with Fonua leaving, keeping Talanoa makes sense.

Washbrook makes sense as he will be cheap and can play numerous positions.

I was reading about Albert Kelly this morning, and it turns out Greg Inglis is his cousin! It would be rather splendid if GI joined us for 2018... we can always dream!!!

I will be disappointed if both Fonua and Michaels leave and only BJB comes in.

We will have Naughton back and also Rawsthorne will be more experienced.

I think Griffin might end up on the wing, with Connor and Carlos first choice centres and Logan also coming back to challenge.

Near impossible to replace Fonua with similar quality, as others have said, BJB is having a good season and offers real pace and skill, but lacks power to be a Radford type winger.

I'll be fairly disappointed if Motu Tony relocates the whole squad to New Zealand.

If Tala staying. Griffin to wing would be my 1st choice. Makes similar metres. Got an offload. Can play centre.
Means running with the same personel as this year but with Mahe money spare for a forward. If hull had say for instance Moors this yr. I'd chuck all my money on us being champs. All we lack imo

Willie Manu in this side would make us a title winning side. Still not had anyone like him

I agree with that.I thought he was very poor at Widnes but he does tend to be overplayed by Radford.
Personally i think he is a better option coming off the bench like Ellis is.

Mini and Ellis are fast approaching the end of their careers. I don't think we could cope with them both going at the same time. We would lose too much experience and leadership in one go. Their departures need to be managed. Personally I would give Mini another year because he is fitter and we get more game time out of him than Ellis, who is increasingly injury prone and who we should let go at the end of this season.

Totally agree. Mini running like he does at tired defences, whilst himself staying fairly fresh for his stints in defence sounds ideal to me. I think he still has another year in him after this one, and not to forget we have a very good, relatively young 2nd rower ready made to step in and cement a starting spot for us in Dean Hadley IMO (not to mention the emergence of Fash & Turgut who've really impressed this year).

mini hasn't reached his previous high standards this season IMO. His defence has always been a bit suspect but he's less effective with ball in hand so far this season but may be how he's being played

I love to sign Mcgillvary, but would cost about 100k, no way will Pearson pay a transfer, particularly with the cap increase next year which will cost him.

How is our average crowd looking and comparing to last season, must be doing ok from away ticket sales as well?

I'll put £100 in. Who's with me?