Yes. I read that. They actually named Mulhern as one of them, but didn't confirm it as a done deal. The other reference was vague. Could be wishful thinking, strong rumour, fact, fiction or media spin. Guess we'll have to wait.

Worst kept secret finally out:

[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/35008957[/url

And the 16 yr old from wakie he is not the other player the mail said i hope not he is a bit young

Unlikely, the Wakey lad is headed straight into the new joint academy.

The signing of the Wakey lad opens up a grey area in the joint academy.

How old are the players when the draft system comes in?
I know both clubs have ring fenced players for the next few years, but does this player count in that?
If because he has signed a FT first team contract with the club, what's to stop you or us in the future, signing players from the academy at 16 on first team contracts thus avoiding the draft system.

It's an interesting point and I can imagine tensions in the future.

However, scrapping the club-trained rule has simplified things considerably. I don't think the draft will work. I reckon Rovers or Hull, or indeed Cas or Saints (etc and vice versa) will just offer graduates of the academy contracts and it will be up to the players to choose. The 'ownership' of young players and 'protection of investment' associated with club academies, while understandable, isn't always best for the players and by extension, developing homegrown talent. Josh Hodgson kicking on with us or Jordan Abdul developing rapidly at Hull being examples of how free movement can be a good thing. Being player-centric rather than club-centric is one of the potential advantages of the new system, IMO.

That said, clubs need an incentive to invest, and the opportunity to offer a full-time contract to an academy-contracted player, before he 'graduates' should give Hull and Rovers a good chance of securing the best local talent. If we both want him, then it'd just be up to the player.

That's if it lasts a few years, which is a bit of a rarity in RL.

Specifically on the lad from Wakefield, as it was a Hull KR announcement rather than an academy one, I assume that he is old enough to be part of the ring-fenced cohort or has signed a senior pro deal - though I'd guess not at just 16. Edit - actually reading around a bit, it does look like he's got a senior contract.

There's nothing to stop either of us signing players ft (once they're old enough). And it'd avoid any draft - if one or both clubs think they're ready then great. I can see a flurry of signings immediately before a draft, which is part of the reason I don't think it'd work.

I can't believe that people are still buying into this draft and ring fencing none sense.

The ring fencing was only ever mentioned to appease Hull fans who thought that they may lose some of their current "golden generation". A kid can sign for whoever he wants when it comes time to turn pro irrespective of whichever scholarship he came through. Oakes is an obvious current example.
Any potential draft system will be totally unworkable with the top line lads. They will sign for who they and their parents want. The middle tier might be happy to be involved.

It'll all end in tears. That's why FC are keeping Radford on.
I'll fight you for him!

1. Ken Sio
2. Josh Mantellato
3. Liam Salter
4. Iain Thornley
5. Kieran Dixon
6. Terry Campese
7. Albert Kelly
8. Adam Walker
9. Shaun Lunt
10. Mitch Allgood
11. Maurice Blair
12. Graeme Horne
13. Chris Clarkson
14. Kevin Larroyer
15. James Donaldson
16. James Green
17. Dane Tilse
18. Ben Cockayne
19. John Boudebza
20. James Greenwood
21. Thomas Minns
22. Matty Marsh
23. Ryan Shaw
24. George Lawler
25. Stephen Holker
26. Robbie Mulhern
27. Will Oakes

Strong spine, but the cash to retain Campese now his wages aren't bing subsidised by Canberra and to sign Lunt, means that we look a bit thin in other areas. Numbers 20+ will get plenty of opportunities, which is both exciting and a concern given their youth/lack of experience.
Pack still looks to lack a bit of oomph, but Chester says we're still in the market. New strength and conditioning team might help too.
Can't see us being in the top half of the table, unless we're very lucky with injuries - 7th or 8th should be in our sights though. It's just that there's 3 or 4 others thinking the same.

Comments:
Good to see Sio at 1. Will upgrade us at fullback. Dixon makes sense at 5 on the wing.
What on earth is Liam Salter doing at 3? Is Minns not impressing in camp?
Blair in the second row. Brilliant and a real upgrade for us, providing he gets an extended run there and doesn't have to cover injuries in the halves.
Clarkson is a more experienced SL player than McCarthy with better speed.
Expect James Green, James Greenwood and George Lawler will all kick on a level.
Another good year likely from John B.
We have not replaced Tony P effectively, so our remaining cap needs to be spent on an X Factor back row forward or loanee.
We will finish in the Top 8 (6th at best). To do so, we need a good injury free run and more of the same from 6, 7 and 9.

Salter is a decent defensive centre, he's certainly in front of Minns as things stand.

I like the idea of Sio at FB, but it makes Dixon surplus to requirements, he's just too short and will be targeted with the high ball on every single defensive fifth tackle within thirty metres of our line.

As the squad is, we should persist with Dixon at FB and use our rotating plan in defence where Mantellato switched in from tackle four.

Finally, anyone referring to anyone, thing, or situation as "XFactor", should be shot at dawn.

As we've learned Sandro Pickering red is consumed with strictly and X factor so I wouldn't expect any let up in the references any time soon

Hard to describe French John without using the term xfactor...

You are a bad man.

Sio to 1 is a poor choice for me. He was one of the best wingers in SL last year so moving him doesn't make any sense IMO. He can catch and tackle well but the full back plays at the line like a 3rd half these days and Ken Sio passes like his hands are on backwards. If they didn't think Dixon was the answer then it should've been a top priority to sign a full back. Keep your square pegs in their square holes.

It's been a long time since I got up at dawn for anything or anybody except to p**s that is and certainly not to be shot by a Goose alongside a fellow Robin.

I can see what you mean but thats the position he wants to play in so let him have a go

I can see why you are not the coach.

You're a very angry man Keith, I can certainly see that.

And "Keith" has and always will be a rubbish name. Dave, or Geoff, or even scrapping the barrel, with one syllable names Gaz are all better.

So, what's your beef Keith?

Do you have a mind

Like a discarded

Leaf

Keith?

Do you stalk these

Boards

Like an impotent Chief

Keith?

Or are you just

As one suspects

A massive gormclops,

Keith...

Reminiscent of "Cliff" by Rik in The Young Ones.

I hope you're satisfied Thatcher.

She took my milk.

That's 3 of us up for post crepuscular elimination by firing squad now, Goose. Me, Barham and Gormclops Keith. I think you ought to add Stan to the list for comparing your literary fayre to Thatcher too.

I accept that forum standards need to be maintained, so any systematic forum member purging should begin in advance of your elevation to Moderator.

The fact that Ken sio has come out and said he wants to play full back tells us that the players are not impressed with Dixon at full back if kieran was making a decent fist of it our best winger wouldn't have to change positions, nobody was happier than me when KD was handed the no1 shirt last season i thought his skill and pace would crucify teams what i didn't account for is he can't catch or pass. He has scored some very good tries on the wing for us Salford at home he was horrible at full back got moved out to the wing and scored a great try, and his scoring record for London on the wing was prolific so I can see the reason in him being given a wing spot

AND every other child who was at school at the time I was lucky I was at school long before she became a MP so i got my milk