I think there's a few things to consider with regards to releasing players and considering the NRL market is almost dead because of their salary cap as well as the fact there is a shortage of British players, then it is going to be a challenge to bring in better players.

The good thing about our squad is that on the whole, it's very young with only O'Hara, Dave Hodgson and Withers the only players you could argue are in decline. There's a realistic argument to say that all of the other players will be better players at the end of the season than they were at the start of the season which is good because it creates continuity - something which a lot of the top-sides seem to have.

Looking where we are short in the squad right now, I think an 80minute right second-rower would make a massive difference to the squad so I really hope we can sign someone like Ferguson because then we'd have two 80minutes second-rowers and more continuity on our right edge which has been a killer for us in not executing our defensive patterns.

With the above in mind, at this point, the only player I'd definitely release is O'Hara for all the obvious reasons. I'd give Mika a 2 year extension but train him in the off season as a loose-forward to keep the balance of the squad right.

People say get rid of Latus but Dave Hodgson won't be around for ever and unless there's a young player out of the academy who's ready for the step up then I can't see us getting anyone who'd be that cheap and play that far down the pecking order.

Brown - 2 (will continue to improve)
Latus - 1 (dependent on who's coming through the academy)
Heil - 1 (dependent on who's coming through the academy)
Paea - 3 (great go-forward - very important he signs)
Mika - 2 (still only 23 will continue to improve into a great player IMO, also offers something different)
Griffin - 2 (only 21 - resident work-horse but will gain more size and improve)
Beaumont - 1 (not great go-forward but good defensively but all dependent on who's coming through the academy)
Carlile - 2 (long term hooker alongside Hodgson)
Withers - 1 (proven class player, offers depth in pivots)
Cox - 2 (had that terrible injury last year, needs more time to develop)
Horne - 2 (great value squad player)

I'm sure there'll inevitably be more movement than that, but there's a hell of a lot improvement in our squad and continuity is important so for now, O'Hara would be my only definite departure.

If we remember back to 2008 when we finished 7th and got 23 points, we added only 4 English signings and finished 4th in 2009 with 35 points so it's proven that continuity can definitely bring rewards.

ere zod you are a funny chap

Zod how many wingers do u want? We already have Hodgson and Caro under contract and you wanna give Brown 2 years too. Latus and Beaumont haven't come through yet so doubt they ever will now and with them counting on quota from next year Withers and O'Hara have gotta go. I think Brown, Cox and Horne will all get 1 or 2 year deals depending on how they go rest of year. Obviously keeping Paea as got to be priority 1(After finding some investment!) Do agree with Zod on the needing a back rower next year and if we get rid of the players suggested need another prop and utility forward too.

Why would paea want to stay at rovers even if they offer him a deal? Surely he isn't going to stay at a club where the owner has said he's leaving?

Where has the owner said he is leaving? I couldn't see a quote in the hdm piece

Why are we not signing players up no? NH said we have started offering deals to those they want to keep. Im assuming Paea is mulling over an offer IMO we need to get Griifin signed on a 3 year deal as he's going to be immense in a few years and get 2 year deals to Horne, Beaumont, Carille and give Brown and Cox a years extension all the while informing Latus, O'Hara and Withers they are no longer needed and if we have any spare cash tell Gleeson and Caro to sling there hook!!

Why so keen to get rid of Gleeson, he was signed because he is a quality centre but unfortunately he got injured pre-season. I would hope he will feature for at least enough games this season to show he is worth is money and go on into 2014 and be the player we know he can be.

Griffin won't be retained as things stand.
Out of contract players all been told if the club want to keep them next season.

Needs to bulk up a bit but he's had a lot of game time in the last 12 months & he's only going to get better. Can imagine this one coming back to bite us, not seeing the logic at all here tbh.

Am I the only one not convinced by Keal Carlile?

Heard a couple of weeks ago Griffin will be at FC next season

No I'm with you.
He has won people over because he is a 100% er.
But he is average.

That's the way I see it. I wanted him to get a crack & he's gone ok but he just doesn't have any influence on games imo & hooker's a very important position these days.

We need to sign a good interchange hooker to spell josh. I would have thought that withers wage would cover one of those.

griffin lol

If we haven't offered Griffin a contract then that's a serious mistake he will become a quality super league player in year's to come .Carille again is young and needs time and another i think will develop in to another good player

Failure to offer Griffin a deal will be a serious error. He's looked the real deal from 1st sight at Widnes last year.

Totally agree,one of our better youngsters,but would just sum our club up at the moment.

That might well be out of Rovers control because George made it clear when he signed his future lays in the NRL.

Looking at the fringe set-up in Oz, players like George can earn upwards of $80,000 which I imagine is way above anything Rovers will/could offer. He has added to his CV whilst at Rovers and looks a far better proposition for the likes of the Dolphins et al.

I hope he stays but I very much doubt it.

If it is the club's choice, it seems an odd one. He's really kicked on this year and has not turned 21 yet.
Without knowing the club's financial situation yet, it is a bit harder to judge, but still.

Which is it..?? Or is the NRL expanding to 500 teams..???

And i agree that Griffin should be kept , will be the third more than promising very young forward let go in the last 2 seasons..

And he is likely ending up a lot closer to home..

London Broncos?

We've apparently nearly completed the signing of a prop from you lot. Any ideas who it is?

Ryan O'Hara

Everyone in SL wants micky paea but I'd be surprised if he goes to saints

it could be walker has nathan brown was an admirer of his play and said to have been asking how long contract for hull kr is