Contract negotiation is easy where one party offers the other what they want. The difficulty comes where they disagree. if we are only offering 1 year and others are offering 2, i don't see how that can work in Chris Hill's best interest, much as we want him to stay.

I often read on here the opinion that it is better to let a player go a year too early than a year too late, this is an example of why the theory is so much easier than the practice..

I'm glad i don't have to make these decisions because my heart would over rule my head!

Rumour I've heard is that we're after an Australian prop. Just hope that doesn't signal Chris Hills departure.

Agreed. I can accept Austin & Lineham leaving if that means we manage keep hold of Hill for another year or two. Hill has certainly ‘rolled back the years’ this season and has probably been at his best in the big games vs Saints/Wigan. Him & Cooper always set a good platform for us, he hardly misses any games and seems to gotten those needless penalties out of his game too.



Would be step back replacing him with Bullock if the rumours are true.

Considering we signed James Harrison over a SL or NRL prop (not that I’m unhappy about it in the least), It looks a pointer with confidence that Hill is to stay.

Is he not just a replacement (And major improvement on) for Sita Akouala? Presumably you'd have signed him whether Hill is staying or not.

Signed Bullock also though (apparently)

Depends whether you think Harrison is a prop, or a second row. Agree that he's a squad filler, but hopefully a very shrewd one.

For sure Harrison is not a replacement for Hill. Sita perhaps, but Sita still ought to have been a first 17, one of the 4 props, I see Harrison as a squad prop.

We need at least 4 out and out props, and the 5th & 6th with mobility, Philbin and Perhaps Harrison. If Hill was leaving, we have zero depth and will be stung filling our first prop injury or suspension.

I cannot see Hill going. It makes no sense to me. If he was, we’d have signed Watts or Taylor by now.

so, props/middles for next year

cooper

philbin

mulhern

butler

doro

robson

harrison



possibly bullock



hill?

clark?

Does Jack Hughes come into the "middles" equation..

I guess Holmes has not been signed as a middle and Longstaff waiting in the wings for a second row spot doest his put Hughes more Into that category..

Ideally I’m hoping for a pack of:



Hill

Clark

Cooper

Currie

Holmes (playing on the right? Think he has predominantly been left sided previously)

Hughes



Bench of:

Walker

Philbin

Mulhern

Davis / Harrison / Bullock / Butler / ANO depending on opposition / form.



Whole front row should be on alert. Hill & Coops won’t be here in 2 years, spots will be up for grabs. But we should be looking to add a high quality prop to the group from 2023, with the rest coming from that above group.



For me, Jason Clark moves on, with a thanks for your efforts. If Hill leaves, potentially we retain him for a bit of leadership if we can’t replace Hill, but if that happens, we look small for 2022.

i meant to include holmes though he does cover both bases, personally, i wouldn't have him front row full time.



It wouldn't surprise me if we see hughes at 13 next year, we got a glimpse of this last week at leeds, with longstaff playing right 2nd row. Although we didn't use ellis too much when he was on the field.