For me, McDonald and Sneyd are for clubs desperate to win silverware this season. Short term solution and don’t really benefit the future at all. Players like Stone, Lewis and Cross are players we should be looking at. Realistically could get at least 3 years out of each of them and probably haven’t even his their peak yet. We need to plan to be challenging consistently for silverware from 2027 instead of throwing a ton of money at players who may help us finish 7/8/9th instead of 10th

[quote="Hullrealist":3tofnobi]For me, McDonald and Sneyd are for clubs desperate to win silverware this season. Short term solution and don’t really benefit the future at all. Players like Stone, Lewis and Cross are players we should be looking at. Realistically could get at least 3 years out of each of them and probably haven’t even his their peak yet. We need to plan to be challenging consistently for silverware from 2027 instead of throwing a ton of money at players who may help us finish 7/8/9th instead of 10th[/quote:3tofnobi] what about Marsters? same age as Cross I agree looking at Sneyd is blinkered and a waste of time

I do feel a bit uneasy about clubs getting quota dispensation for players, as much as I'd like us to get a MacDonald, Lewis or even Shane Wright. Sneyd, while it's a short term signing is probably the best we could hope for right now, I doubt any other club will release a first choice English half on the eve of the season. I do have concerns IF he does sign how it'd work with Sezer.

Ive been thinking about this so I'm afraid its diatribe time. You see I guess a lot of fans at a lot of clubs are talking about grabbing players and denuding Salford of the greatest assets but in the end will that really be good for the game? the vultures are circling!! I guess that's something that some even handed folks on here who care about the game will be musing over and wrestling with a little. Many will say well they shouldn't have engaged those players knowing that there was a good chance of them not being able to pay them in the long term. On the one hand is it good for the optics as far as the sport is concerned if 11 of the twelve clubs predate one that is struggling and leave them hobbling along at the foot of the table all season. What chance do they then have of attracting a backer? It was bad enough when we were crap last season to see what it looked like to outsiders watching our sport. It will just devalue our competition further. On the other hand its one thing promising fans jam tomorrow but what business in its right mind operates and buys assets and brings in workers on the basis of boardroom jam tomorrow, when it knows that possibly in a couple of month it won't be able to pay their wages, without a hand out and in addition, then borrows money against their future income just to keep going with the same level of outgoings, knowing full well they MAY not be able to recoup that money as the season progresses. As a club they basically took a gamble but they are just living a three quarters of a million pounds a year above their means. Yeh, They could find a sugar daddy or investors from Australia to fish em out, but they've been looking long enough! Rather like Huddersfield they moved ground from their heartland stadium in central Salford in the heart of a strong community expecting the fans to follow to a new stadium that was in essence in a field next to the motorway miles away. So, of course a lot just didn't follow. At that point they needed to review their business model, but they waded on and in the end having had a sugar daddy promising the earth and departing when it didn't come gift wrapped, he then left the club to be run by the fans. A community club Wow how we all liked that idea and how bloody unpractical it was! Yes they have been a good team of late but hey have done it obviously living above their means. Top sporting entrepreneurs have observed of late that without a rich owner our clubs and indeed our fully professional sport just cannot survive on static or even falling gates and plummeting TV revenues. It's worrying, Cas, Wakey and Us have only just survived by being bought out by rich owners but how long will they and others at other clubs stand for losing money hand over fist year in year out?? Have you seen the financial deficits at just about every club in the game.? One day the rot will start and Salford might be the club that tips the scales and see the game going backwards fast. Even if they survive and get fished out too, I can't see it being long before the sheer economics of money coming in falling far short of money going out can continue at most of the clubs, can You? For me the prospect of going back to a semi professional game again is certainly just over the current horizon. The game is simply living way above its means and the whole game is like Salford waiting for something to come riding over the horizon to save it. Who will do it, well it might be the NRL but I'm afraid it won't be the RFL or IMG. It will therefore for me be interesting to see what happens at Salford, if they gat a last minute reprise and what the clubs do about them if they don't. I feel for their fans, but is it change, be radicle or disappear or will we see yet another sticking plaster on the inner tube of British rugby league an inner tube that is perishing fast?

Unless some more revenue comes into the game, it needs a financial readjustment in this country and some common sense. It's OK having massive losses covered y rich owners but at some point the game needs to get close to wiping it's face or it will simply wither and die. I know that players put their bodies on the line each week but there isn't the money to pay them what they currently earn and if that means some of the better ones go off to Australia then so be it, but if clubs carry on as they are I suspect rugby league was we know it in this country will be back to a part time northern sport in a decade or two

Rovers obviously see Macdonald as a big upgrade on Evalds at fullback but want quota and cap dispensation to make it work. Even if Salford don’t get any short term investment (I think they might anyway with these Aussies ) I’m not sure the other clubs will just let Rovers have it, especially the likes of Hull and Leigh who would argue that we have cap space already to take players and the likes of Wigan, Saints and Wire especially might just see it as only working to strengthen a rival in Rovers if they’re not desperate for any Salford players themselves. He’s a top player but I agree with one of the posters above I’d just stick to our target of Cross as safer longer term option. It’s a gamble that Rovers might want to take because it might be the difference of a trophy for them this season but we’re not at the level and Macdonald would mean a lot of wriggling around cap and quota when any potential dispensation ended in 2026. Cross on a three year deal would be a good signing, he’d add that pace to the centres that we lack, fits within our cap and non quota and maybe Salford would be willing to do a deal anyway if it helped them keep the bigger stars. Sneyd I’d think would be the last player they’d want to lose. From our end I’d like it to happen and think a Sneyd and Sezer would work well but if it was a straight shoot out I think the Leigh move would be his choice. Like I said a few days ago though think the reports of the ‘Salford fire sale’ are coming from a journalist with a well placed source at one club, might not be representative of what the whole league wants anyway. I suppose we’ll likely find out later when they meet.

[quote="DSJ1983":3ebj530m]Rovers obviously see Macdonald as a big upgrade on Evalds at fullback but want quota and cap dispensation to make it work. Even if Salford don’t get any short term investment (I think they might anyway with these Aussies ) [b:3ebj530m]I’m not sure the other clubs will just let Rovers have it, especially the likes of Hull and Leigh who would argue that we have cap space[/b:3ebj530m] already to take players and the likes of Wigan, Saints and Wire especially might just see it as only working to strengthen a rival in Rovers if they’re not desperate for any Salford players themselves. He’s a top player but I agree with one of the posters above I’d just stick to our target of Cross as safer longer term option. It’s a gamble that Rovers might want to take because it might be the difference of a trophy for them this season but we’re not at the level and Macdonald would mean a lot of wriggling around cap and quota when any potential dispensation ended in 2026. Cross on a three year deal would be a good signing, he’d add that pace to the centres that we lack, fits within our cap and non quota and maybe Salford would be willing to do a deal anyway if it helped them keep the bigger stars. Sneyd I’d think would be the last player they’d want to lose. From our end I’d like it to happen and think a Sneyd and Sezer would work well but if it was a straight shoot out I think the Leigh move would be his choice. Like I said a few days ago though think the reports of the ‘Salford fire sale’ are coming from a journalist with a well placed source at one club, might not be representative of what the whole league wants anyway. I suppose we’ll likely find out later when they meet.[/quote:3ebj530m] It will 100% get agreed upon as if it doesn’t, Salford will go under and not be able to get rid of players due to most teams being near caps / also Salford would want to maximise potential bidding wars for their players so they’d also want the rules flexed From a playing field perspective maybe some teams would opt out and say no, but if Salford go under in a few weeks that’s a team lost which would be far worse than letting a few teams have players As for his position if he did end up at rovers he wouldn’t see full back, he’d be up against gildart/broadbent for centre, my guess he would slot straight in

I don't really get Cross. He's just played an entire season on the wing. He's almost certainly not as quick as Barron or Martin. And he's not a particularly strong runner. I'm already worried about Briscoe starting in front of one of our young wingers, with Cross we'd face the prospect of neither of them starting. And as a centre he's probably at best on a par with Hardaker.

[quote="Raggytash":251rwipj]I don't really get Cross. He's just played an entire season on the wing. He's almost certainly not as quick as Barron or Martin. And he's not a particularly strong runner. I'm already worried about Briscoe starting in front of one of our young wingers, with Cross we'd face the prospect of neither of them starting. And as a centre he's probably at best on a par with Hardaker.[/quote:251rwipj] Worth watching his highlights, particularly from the 2023 season,where he mainly played centre (not really a suprise when played wing, with Salfords centres), but he is quick and a strong runner. I'm sure he would be signed to play centre and is better than Chamberlain and offers pace in the centres that we don't haven

[quote="Raggytash":1m94eghm]I don't really get Cross. He's just played an entire season on the wing. He's almost certainly not as quick as Barron or Martin. And he's not a particularly strong runner. I'm already worried about Briscoe starting in front of one of our young wingers, with Cross we'd face the prospect of neither of them starting. And as a centre he's probably at best on a par with Hardaker.[/quote:1m94eghm] He played as a centre a couple of years ago might have been his first SL season and looked good, got a really good try return too from centre. Disagree about him being a strong runner, he was in the top 20 SL players for meters and tackle busts in 24. He’d definitely add more strike and pace in the centres that we could do with. Maybe we could look at a quota centre for 2026 but domestic wise don’t see anyone better who’s off contract for 2026 even if we decide to wait. If there’s a chance we can get him snd get him in for 2025 we would take the opportunity IMO.

[quote="Theeaststander1":2xmg4xrp]It will 100% get agreed upon as if it doesn’t, Salford will go under and not be able to get rid of players due to most teams being near caps / also Salford would want to maximise potential bidding wars for their players so they’d also want the rules flexed [/quote:2xmg4xrp] Clubs have voted against the dispensations. For me it did seem like Rovers leaked the idea to maybe put pressure on other clubs who wouldn’t be keen. You was right about Salford wanting it though, they seemingly they voted in favour.

Puts us in a strong position to sign Cross and maybe Sneyd (or another domestic player)

Puts Leeds out the race for Kallum Watkins, id be looking at him.

[quote="DSJ1983":395mxwtk]Clubs have voted against the dispensations. For me it did seem like Rovers leaked the idea to maybe put pressure on other clubs who wouldn’t be keen. You was right about Salford wanting it though, they seemingly they voted in favour.[/quote:395mxwtk] Not being bias but this whole debacle has 0 to do with rovers, teams like cas etc will want to see the back of Salford etc This to me concretes the fact that this is the end of Salford, granted if hull offer them 700k for sneyd in which they won’t, only yourselves and Leigh have cap space/money, the price of the players has just shot down

[quote="Theeaststander1":12gjamcr]Not being bias but this whole debacle has 0 to do with rovers, teams like cas etc will want to see the back of Salford etc This to me concretes the fact that this is the end of Salford, granted if hull offer them 700k for sneyd in which they won’t, only yourselves and Leigh have cap space/money, the price of the players has just shot down[/quote:12gjamcr] Think Rovers wanted Macdonald and will have pushed for dispensations and obviously briefed the media, but agree it looks really worrying for Salford, I expected them to put up a fight for players even if the RFL suggested they offer them around.

[quote="Theeaststander1":3fbmip68]Not being bias but this whole debacle has 0 to do with rovers, teams like cas etc will want to see the back of Salford etc This to me concretes the fact that this is the end of Salford, granted if hull offer them 700k for sneyd in which they won’t, only yourselves and Leigh have cap space/money, the price of the players has just shot down[/quote:3fbmip68] Wakefield and Wire have cap space. Wakefield, Leigh, Wire and Huuds have a quotation spot available

[quote="REDWHITEANDBLUE":3ddjnxgr]Wakefield and Wire have cap space. Wakefield, Leigh, Wire and Huuds have a quotation spot available[/quote:3ddjnxgr] Not the space to offer the contracts the players will want , very minimal cap left in most clubs

[quote="DSJ1983":1bv7utv3]Think Rovers wanted Macdonald and will have pushed for dispensations and obviously briefed the media, but agree it looks really worrying for Salford, I expected them to put up a fight for players even if the RFL suggested they offer them around.[/quote:1bv7utv3] I get you think hull kr are the only ones who have put bids in, but Wigan saints and co will have all had a hand in pockets Saints needed a nene McDonald etc All articles said ‘and various other clubs’ But either way doesnt matter the rfl will let their players walk on a free next week as they ain’t making up 700k

[quote="Theeaststander1":1munuehf]Not the space to offer the contracts the players will want , very minimal cap left in most clubs[/quote:1munuehf] See what happens if/when it come to it then

[quote="Theeaststander1":15ntv2xv]I get you think hull kr are the only ones who have put bids in, but Wigan saints and co will have all had a hand in pockets Saints needed a nene McDonald etc All articles said ‘and various other clubs’ But either way doesnt matter the rfl will let their players walk on a free next week as they ain’t making up 700k[/quote:15ntv2xv] We may have voted yes otherwise I'd be surprised if we could fit cross and sneyd under the cap, however at least 7 clubs voted no which is all that matters

[quote="Jake the Peg":zr11vpbp]We may have voted yes otherwise I'd be surprised if we could fit cross and sneyd under the cap, however at least 7 clubs voted no which is all that matters[/quote:zr11vpbp] I can't imagine Cross will cost much and wouldn't Sneyd be our fed trained marquee?

[quote="Jake the Peg":2yu5oghn]We may have voted yes otherwise I'd be surprised if we could fit cross and sneyd under the cap, however at least 7 clubs voted no which is all that matters[/quote:2yu5oghn] “at this stage no changes have been made to salary cap regulations, but further proposals may be considered." if i was to have a bet, i dont think for one second this will pull salford out the 700k hole if they dont give dispensations to the clubs the players will just walk to save themselves i think the RFL will override the 'vote' and put the dispensations in to save a club with it being 3 weeks till the seasons starts

[quote="Theeaststander1":32qujypk]“at this stage no changes have been made to salary cap regulations, but further proposals may be considered." if i was to have a bet, i dont think for one second this will pull salford out the 700k hole if they dont give dispensations to the clubs the players will just walk to save themselves i think the RFL will override the 'vote' and put the dispensations in to save a club with it being 3 weeks till the seasons starts[/quote:32qujypk] You hope, not think

[quote="Jake the Peg":35bhlw45]You hope, not think[/quote:35bhlw45] if youre referring to nene we have 3 great centres all capable....he would be brilliant but not needed whatsoever i think the genuine conversation that needs to be addressed now is we are about to have an 11 team league, which will put a lot of strain on clubs

[quote="Theeaststander1":3tdr6zaf]“at this stage no changes have been made to salary cap regulations, but further proposals may be considered." if i was to have a bet, i dont think for one second this will pull salford out the 700k hole if they dont give dispensations to the clubs the players will just walk to save themselves i think the RFL will override the 'vote' and put the dispensations in to save a club with it being 3 weeks till the seasons starts[/quote:3tdr6zaf] Override the vote allow the dispensations and save Salford (for now) and ruin the integrity of the competition. Rock and hard place.