Sounds like Adam Pearson is pretty much resigned to Fonua leaving at the end of the season. In his programme notes for tonight's game he says there has only been minimal contact but admits the we cannot compete with NRL clubs in terms of signing players and if Mahe does head home he will leave with the club's best wishes. He also says we have adequate targets lined up to replace him.

Definitely going reading that from Pearson,

Quote ="Dave K."Definitely going reading that from Pearson,'" 2 year deal at Wests with an option for third according to 5thTackle.com https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.5thtac ... -deal/amp/

Quote ="Dave K."Definitely going reading that from Pearson,'" 2 year deal at Wests with an option for third according to 5thTackle.com https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.5thtac ... -deal/amp/

Who'd blame him for £200k a year? Will we get a transfer fee?

Can't see it, most contracts have a NRL get-out clause I think. A real X factor player for us, huge boots to fill but an FC legend forever with his hand in both Wembley winning tries.

No fee, keep in the good books with Fonua and NRL clubs, he has been an outstanding and loyal player working hard on and off the field so should go with our best wishes and hopefully another trophy

Just had a few quid on Mahe Beat in the 12-15 at Fairview South Africa shortly.
Go on my son.

The donkey is still running.

Is there not a horse called Albo Kelly that it can pass to for the last 5 furlongs?

Not sure horses can pass rugby balls.
Only if you're on LSD.
Have you got any?

It's official.

[urlhttp://www.hullfc.com/news/2017-05-22-fonua-to-leave-at-end-of-season[/url

Gutted, fantastic signing, glad it's announced though so he can crack on with his season and try and finish the season on a high.

Gutted, massive hole to fill

Sad but inevitable. Immortalised in Dave Woods' commentary "Mahe Fonua is in to score the try that lifts Hull's hopes, and lifts Hull's hearts!" Fantastic contributor to our best season in a generation. Good luck Mahe, perhaps we'll see you back one day.

Think we all hoped he would stay but we've had two great years from him hope he goes out with a bang, going to be big shoes to fill.

Sad news but not unexpected. He'll certainly be missed but leaves us with some great memories (and possibly more still to come).
Over to you Motu, see if you can unearth another gem.

there's certainly one or two young players in the nrl who are knocking on their teams door but are getting dropped when their main players are all fit, holland, suli and ponga spring to mind. lets hope if we can't tempt the likes of these players for a couple of seasons with regular first team footy then maybe the next generation who lie just under these might contain a gem or two. i would much rather us sign a young 'project' than a journeyman player (please note i'm not referring to the top older import top line players here because they have a lot to offer in terms of experience, helping the youngsters etc, i'm referring more to the middle of the road imports we used to sign for the sake of it which thankfully isn't occurring as much nowadays).

Well you'll go down as one of the greats if we loose Wembley and especially if you leave helping us win another trophy.
Been Great while here so best of luck for the future, no doubt be back even if just for 25th Anniversary of Wembley win.

So a new signing plus naughton back, re-sign bin man and fonua and michaels to leave?

If ellis and fonua are off the cap next year we must have a fair chunk to play with although kelly will take up some of that. Another big winger and an impact 2nd rower for me

Same for me, luckily the cap has gone up so we should be ok

Out
Ellis
Fonua
Michaels
Thompson


In
Hadley
Naughton
New winger
New forward
Abdul

I agree with that Jake but you dont always need big wingers built like a second row its just the way we play.
Personally i like to see the faster wing but that usually needs a class centre to be effective but apart from Tuimavave we dont have one.
Our bench this season has no impact whatsoever and that needs addressing for next season.
Not sure whether Naughton has a future with us since Connor has arrived.
Rawsthorne with his speed and size has more potential as a future first team wing/centre than Naughton.

Think Connor has alot of potential at centre and can get his winger away, there is also Logan, who if he can add some size and improve his defence has lots of potential.

Agree about the bench, just missing impact player, get some players back and I'd play Mini on the bench,

Big year for Naughton next year make or break at Hull.

Forgot about Logan, how's his injury?

...I think July was the worst case scenario for his knee injury.

Hopefully, it won't be long now before he's back in full training.

I think it is worth a look at PNG winger Gary Lo at Sheffield. Jean has just posted about him on the VT and after looking at that video site, he is strong, quick, powerful and would be a low cost option which would mean a lot of cap left over for an impact prop/2nd row that we badly need