Wouldn't be surprised to see Johnson wind up at Ottawa. Signed for us rather than Featherstone due to the travel commitments with work; so unless he's going to Leigh's hybrid set-up, there aren't many part-time options this side of the Pennines.
I think you will see Ryan Ince at the club soon. Mcgraff was always very limited, was my type of player but he tries therefore deserves nothing but respect.
Coincidentally, Mcgraff going is the last real link to our early super league days
Thanks Macgraff for everything. Never took a backward step and always gave his all.
Johnson is the most surprising departure for me - I think he was very strong at this level. But as we probably all know, it is a balance about who/what the clucb can afford to retain against developing young talent in that mix of age/experience....and with the retention of Spedding, Roby, Cross and Buckley plus the addition of Tyrer, it was obvious that Johnson was going to be leaving.
I think we are in need of another second rower and also a loose forward (better than Macgraff btw!), to take us on ........he has been a great servant, but when you see some of the LF of the past at our great club and also elsewhere in the division, it has not surprised me he is finally on his way - perhaps a season later than he was past his best - Tim knows who is worth retaining and who has to go at this stage!
ETR
I just say it makes me cringe a little whenever I read comments about a player “giving their all.”
that is the absolute bare minimum expected of any player in this game, particularly in the professional game.
Sorry to see Johnson go I rated him. Mc Graff has served the club well over the years so best wishes to him but the time is right I think.
Real shame to see Leuluai and Johnson go.
Graff gave a lot to this club and can’t of been far off a testimonial year actually so best wishes to him and his family back home.
Johnson is a strange one. Really promising at this level and could’ve been our standout winger and one of the first names of the team sheet in years to come. So I do hope he’s leaving for full time rugby, just hope it’s not Leigh! Haha.
On the whole, real shame to lose him but again with how we’ve recruited so far, definitely can see Sheens having a replacement either already signed, or at least in the pipeline.
Leuluai has been an enigma - long serving solid player, not always appreciated by fans, but regularly selected by our coaches. There was no questioning his commitment and he was one of the few players in recent years who was able to make a good solid hit on an opponent. Perhaps not big enough and broke few tackles (but not the worst). He was loyal to the club when others weren't and one of the players who put in great effort to keep the club afloat in 2019 following Administration, including a substantial drop in his contracted pay.
Good luck to him and his family for the future.
Not sure about Johnson. Probably not here long enough to make a real judgement, but did look a decent winger in the few games he played. Good luck to him wherever he goes. Could well be the Widnes second team in Ottawa.
I think you will see Ryan Ince at the club soon. Mcgraff was always very limited, was my type of player but he tries therefore deserves nothing but respect. Coincidentally, Mcgraff going is the last real link to our early super league days
Craven and Owens were both in the first year back in Super League - 2012. Craven started in the very first game v Wakefield, and surprisingly started 13 games overall (plus five off bench). Leuluai started one game and came off the bench in 10.
Ince return would be interesting, if not surprising. Was it stubbornness after bridges were burnt last year? Was it just Purtill why he went elsewhere?
Leuluai has been an enigma – long serving solid player, not always appreciated by fans, but regularly selected by our coaches. There was no questioning his commitment and he was one of the few players in recent years who was able to make a good solid hit on an opponent. Perhaps not big enough and broke few tackles (but not the worst). He was loyal to the club when others weren’t and one of the players who put in great effort to keep the club afloat in 2019 following Administration, including a substantial drop in his contracted pay. Good luck to him and his family for the future. Not sure about Johnson. Probably not here long enough to make a real judgement, but did look a decent winger in the few games he played. Good luck to him wherever he goes. Could well be the Widnes second team in Ottawa.
Not sure about that Frank but I heard that Ottawa may be training at our ground.
So they will have first shot at any remaining talent we unearth! Not sure about that, hope the Council cane 'em with the rent!
Now Ashall-Bott is going Ottawa.
Anyone else we can think of who may be next?
Paul Hansbury as kit man? The old Kemik as the Ottawa Flying Ace?
An interesting side interest from a distance though, just to see how they fare!
If the RFL see sense, they should kick TWP out of SL and tell Ottawa that a Canadian team playing their "home" games in Leigh is not acceptable. Having said that, it will be interesting to see how the Widnes second team gets on on League 1.
They're not going to do that though, so we just have to progress as a team and a club ready for when sense prevails.
I just wonder how long Beaumont can stand the loss he must be making.