Can't blame any of them if they have got a full-time contract for 2020, presumably with Ottawa. As has been said, the best of them is Wilde who is too good for League 1. Good opportunity for all of them and a chance to jump on the Ottawa band wagon. It may well crash sooner than they think. We have brought in two better props, which augurs well for next year, if this continues. Was Farnworth on a two year deal?
This highlights the flaw in allowing the likes of Ottawa into league 1. They will be full-time and can afford players of Championship standard and possibly some of SL standard, which will mean that the likes of Newcastle, Rochdale, Barrow or other teams who have may expect to be vying for promotion to the Championship in 2021, will be at a disadvantage. They will then face the same situation in 2022 if NY join League 1. This will then also impact on the Championship in 2022. Just a thought, but what would be better for RL in the UK - an extra team from NA in the SL or expansion in the UK with the likes of Newcastle, London, Bradford, York or even small town teams like Widnes, Leigh, Featherstone, Dewsbury or Halifax or another French team in Toulouse.
Whilst I wish all four good luck for the future, I really hope that the RFL see that NA expansionist idea is flawed and that Ottawa and NY go down the pan along with TWP.
To be fair though a lot of the players at Toronto in league 1 where a level above at that time weren't they so it is to be expected that top/mid champ level players would make that drop for FT and being able to see Canada for a few months of the year
We all know in the main RL can be a short punishing career, so youve got to make the most money you can often. Cant blame any player for making that decision unless it goes belly up
Have to compliment the media staff, they have played a blinder this week with the various different announcements, hopefully more to come next week...
I'm glad to see a shake up in personnel to be honest, as has been said previously, we have had 3 consecutively poor full seasons.
Think it’s been the busiest rl market every team seems to be chopping and changing obviously because of the situation and the finances being different at all clubs
in the championship anyway
Just hope that SL works out what it wants and leaves the rest of the game alone!
If they want to be 'international' great - get on with it but let us get on with British rugby league. There is still a supporting public to be attracted when the objectives are clear.
A good example of the nonsense created by having fantasy expansion teams in. All four would probably have been at Widnes next season but for a Canadian team that will last about as long as Toronto.
A shame to see first teamers leave, as we need to strengthen overall rather than just replace what we have.
Don't think Moran showed up particularly well in his handful of games, and it may well be that League 1 suits him.
As has been said, if you're being offered full-time terms on probably silly money, you'd be a fool to say no.
Well said James, just hope the we can keep those youngsters who would really benefit from the signings of experience.
I believe that Newcastle will be a match for most in League 1 . We shall see! I will be happy to see a competitive team and our new acqisitions should take us down that road. Pity that we won't see the Chaps with some aggressive packmates but we move on. Wilde and Moran were workers, probably will look great in League 1, but not really big enough for budding SL status.
I am sure that TS will want to leave his mark in his last year with us and I hope we can fund his aspirations. Can't help wondering what we could have done if he had come earlier!
A good example of the nonsense created by having fantasy expansion teams in. All four would probably have been at Widnes next season but for a Canadian team that will last about as long as Toronto. A shame to see first teamers leave, as we need to strengthen overall rather than just replace what we have. Don’t think Moran showed up particularly well in his handful of games, and it may well be that League 1 suits him. As has been said, if you’re being offered full-time terms on probably silly money, you’d be a fool to say no.
Well said James. Let's hope the RFL/SL see that the fantasy expansion teams add nothing to RL in the UK and start by throwing TWP out of the league and advising Ottawa and New York to concentrate on growing the game in North America before pursuing the fantasy international league.
The Chapelhow twins did a great job in community work and will no doubt play a key role in promoting the game in Ottawa. I actually don't think that they were as bad players as a few on her would suggest and had hoped that they would improve under Sheens. Perhaps we don' t have the time or funds to rely on the possibility of players reaching their full potential - or maybe they have and Sheens was happy to release them.
Well said James, just hope the we can keep those youngsters who would really benefit from the signings of experience. I believe that Newcastle will be a match for most in League 1 . We shall see! I will be happy to see a competitive team and our new acqisitions should take us down that road. Pity that we won’t see the Chaps with some aggressive packmates but we move on. Wilde and Moran were workers, probably will look great in League 1, but not really big enough for budding SL status. I am sure that TS will want to leave his mark in his last year with us and I hope we can fund his aspirations. Can’t help wondering what we could have done if he had come earlier!
Time to put that old excuse to bed once and for all. We have no youngsters this excuse wore out last season.
If you melted the Chapelhow Twins together, you wouldn't make a half of Alex Walmsley. That's the aggression level required when you are that size. No loss.
Moran is a tough judgement after only 7 games, s'pose we'll never know. Sam Wilde was a 100%er, every game, always ran hard, and his defence was half decent, he will be missed.
Is Leuluai on a 20 year deal here?
Onwards and upwards #UpTheChemics
Paulie xx
I dont think in the current climate you can just add to the squad without moving players on. Especially given we dont know when crowds will be back and we are still recovering from the last owners taking too much money out of the club. Its clear to me the main area of concern was the pack, too small with little aggression.
Craven and Smith must be the best half back combination in the Championship, Tompkins the best hooker, Owens one of the best full backs and Johnson/Cross both know the way to the line and have given us the other thing we have been missing in recent years, genuine pace outside.
Sheens always said he wanted to sign another prop. Its no coincidence the 4 players to leave are all forwards. For me 2 of the best performers in early season are signed up in Baker and Cross despite interest from other clubs.
I do think its harsh to judge Moran on 7 games as the lad is only 22, young for any player but especially a prop being asked to play week in week out in a tough league.
For me we need an experienced centre, rumoured to be Tyrer, another prop and a 2nd rower. Plus we will have to see who else is leaving. From the clubs latest update it seems they have more players to announce over the next few weeks, seems a strategy to announce 1 or 2 each day to build interest.
Last years squad was good for 6th or 7th in the league in my opinion, so its not as if a Championship winning side is being dismantled with Leigh, Toulouse, London and Featherstone all some way ahead of us having made the jump to part time at relatively short notice.
The article says that the Chapelhow's will add size, power and strength.
Well, they have kept that we'll hidden.
I am not knocking king the lads personally, as the seem to be very decent young men, but as I saw in a tv article with Jamie Peacock, he said I used to go into physical contact with any opposition player and wanted to hurt them, not in a nasty way, he just wanted them to think "I don't want to tackle him again. I do not see this in the lads game.
If there is any justice from the RFL , Ottowa will have a home derby with Toronto next year.
Ottowa is another fantasy doomed to failure.When will they ever learn.It's hard enough expanding the game from West Yorkshire to South Yorkshire.
The twins have been around for some time and not shown improvement that warrants them being retained.
The word to describe them would be ..slow............both in thought and movement. Lack Dynamism.
They often show up in the easy games but go missing when the better teams are in opposition.
Wilde is too small to make any significant impact
Moran....mid championship player at best
There are plenty around of similar and there may well be many better available as the SL clubs streamline due to covid.
TS I doubt will be to worried about these leaving.
The article says that the Chapelhow’s will add size, power and strength. Well, they have kept that we’ll hidden. I am not knocking the lads personally, as the seem to be very decent young men, but as I saw in a tv article with Jamie Peacock, he said I used to go into physical contact with any opposition player and wanted to hurt them, not in a nasty way, he just wanted them to think “I don’t want to tackle him again. I do not see this in the lads game. If there is any justice from the RFL , Ottowa will have a home derby with Toronto next year.
Very true.............just that they are not good enough to make a living playing full time rugby. Will do well in whatever they end up doing long term.