Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/

Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/

Quote FIL="FIL"Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/'" Can’t say I’m surprised, no risk with a one year deal for either. I think that’s the back line well and truly covered imo. Leaves some scope to spend any money we may have left on the forwards should we need to. Purely speculation on my part but makes you think they are less than convinced that Bill will recover. Army Dave, Croft, Minns and Hall means there are options. Bill is not just of interest because on his day he’s a first class centre but because he’s a quota player. These spots are not as crucial as they used to be but still have a value should one free up. No ambiguity here I want Bill fit but at the same time we have to face the worst case scenario and also accept that every cloud can have a silver lining.

Quote FIL="FIL"Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/'" Can’t say I’m surprised, no risk with a one year deal for either. I think that’s the back line well and truly covered imo. Leaves some scope to spend any money we may have left on the forwards should we need to. Purely speculation on my part but makes you think they are less than convinced that Bill will recover. Army Dave, Croft, Minns and Hall means there are options. Bill is not just of interest because on his day he’s a first class centre but because he’s a quota player. These spots are not as crucial as they used to be but still have a value should one free up. No ambiguity here I want Bill fit but at the same time we have to face the worst case scenario and also accept that every cloud can have a silver lining.

Quote FIL="FIL"Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/'" Great news as IMO both went really well on Boxing Day and I’m pretty sure they’ll grasp the opportunity with both hands Fil and prove to be great acquisitions for the club.

Quote FIL="FIL"Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/'" Great news as IMO both went really well on Boxing Day and I’m pretty sure they’ll grasp the opportunity with both hands Fil and prove to be great acquisitions for the club.

Think this is good news both will be eager to impress as they will want longer deals and i would only imagine they wont be on big bucks tom is a good experienced player and gives some strength in centres and armydave as vasty called him really does look like he could become a handfull

im looking forward to seeing the development of players coming through the system and the reserve grade will be very interesting to watch....

im looking forward to seeing the development of players coming through the system and the reserve grade will be very interesting to watch....

I Agree and I'm pleased they've both been signed.

Plenty of options now in the threequarters, and not just players making the numbers up but genuine quality prospects!

Think that’s the difference.



I genuinely believe that all the players now promoted from the academy to first team have a genuine chance of making it. That’s not to say they will, a long way to go yet. But gone are the days when you just knew that these lads weren’t good enough at SL level and never would be.



We’ve had a few really good Academy teams but they were teams and the lack of advancement of individuals tended to prove that.



I think we had a happy accident with Crowther, Jowitt and TJ in that the set up they came through was not especially good but they were.



Now I think the set up is good and so are the players and from what I’m told the next batch has even more natural talent in it.



If you’re going down the grow your own route then it takes time and there will be false starts but persistence is everything. Even if this latest group isn’t the one the next one may be.

Of the two army Dave is the more interesting for me.



Minns is a straight up player, if his head is straight he will do a job but I don’t think he will break any pots. He probably peaked at HKR but you never know.



Army Dave could either be a complete waste of space or a terrace hero, he’s that kind of signing. Let’s be honest he’s a complete gamble, no real pedigree not even in Union so he’s hardly a coup on paper at least.



However he is big, looks quite fast and seemed fairly brave so there is something to work on. Also without making racial stereotypes these Pacific Islanders do seem to have a natural exuberance and self belief. Further fortified by a stint in the Army of a foreign nation, bound to make you grow up a bit. I’d be very surprised if he shows any lack of desire, ability, we’ll have to see. If he gets of to a good star I think that will help no end.



Wish them both luck but then why wouldn’t you.

I think Dave is exciting because he looks to be a very talented natural athlete. He won't be anything more than cover but I expect he will show real flashes of exciting play along with a good few errors. I think he will be great to watch in the reserves.



He won't have cost the world and this year is probably one were he will learn his trade in the reserves as he looked very raw against Leeds, but that was to be expected.



Few question marks over contracts at the end of the year and if he gets experience and develops he may well find himself starting on the wing in 2023 as he has the athletic potential, it's how the rest comes together that could dictate that.

I agree with all that.

Army Dave reminds me of Semi. He was very raw when he came but had all the attributes to be really good.

When he had Solomon's and Domic with him he developed into quite a weapon.

Get your point but Semi was a fair few rungs up from this lad, in fact by today’s standards he’d be almost marquee. He had played 16 times for Melbourne Storm when he joined us and had played RL most of his life. This lad is super raw and a fair bit older than semi was.



Savatabua is probably a better example?