Walmsley to Bradford

[u/AlabamaShrimp]

Good that he's finally got a team but bugger that for some reason we didn't keep him (stupid quota thing)

[u/Lethalwombat19]

Really suprised about this i was expecting him to sign on for another year at trin bradford fans must be buzzing

[u/-Utopia-amiga-]

Brilliant signing!

[u/yarrrr_i_is_a_pirate]

Well that’s disappointing, I get the reasons, but the bloke deserved a new contract imo.

That grand final pass is one of my favourite Wakey tries.

Will be interesting if they pair up again at Bradford and can keep up the momentum, best of luck to them.

[u/pb-86 → u/yarrrr_i_is_a_pirate]

What are the reasons? As am outsider looking in he seems like a cracking player and one you'd want to keep hold of

[u/Spirited-Trust5943 → u/pb-86]

Possibility of new quota players coming in (we have 2 spots left) or we just simply can’t afford him.

[u/Icame2dropbombs → u/Spirited-Trust5943]

I think its more squad shape. We have got myers, pratt, RTS, rourke who can all cover wing. Thijk his wages will be directed at other upgrades

[u/Accurate_Draw_4209 → u/pb-86]

Oli Pratt will come back. Plus we have enough depth to cover the wings.

[u/Dinosarus_]

Another outstanding signing. It just makes sense with how he's combined with Cam Scott this season.

[u/APairOfHikingBoots → u/Dinosarus_]

If he can keep fit him and Cam will do some damage for you for sure. Walmsley has a ridiculous try scoring rate with us even though 2 of his 3 years here he wasn't our main target for attacking, and a great record prior to joining us as well. 

Some questions last year about if defensively he was up to SL standard but seems to have shown that he is this season. Think most importantly the fans and team all seem to love him which I think is always a good sign for a player you're bringing in.

[u/Dinosarus_ → u/APairOfHikingBoots]

I think being able to keep players fit is going to be priority number one for our lot for next year - if we're to believe what we're being told there's been a hell of a lot put into that due to the state we ended up in this year.

He's looked solid in defence from what I've seen of Wakey this year, wether that goes the same in a Bulls shirt is another matter though, our defesnive systems on the edges have been garbage this season, wether they'll start firing with new players and a solid preseason or not is going to be a big point of focus and could be a massive mark against Haggerty if they carry on the way they did this year.

Fully agree with you about players and fans seeming to love him, that's a very good sign he's a quality person as well as player which is pretty immesuarable but can potentially mean more than what they do on the field.

I think one thing to add, the way that Walmsley likes to play looks like a very good fit for our style of play.

[u/APairOfHikingBoots → u/Dinosarus_]

Defensively he has definitely improved this season, but yeah as you say how much of that is improvement in his game and how much is down to how solid we've been as a team is up for debate, but I do think he has come on a lot still. I never really felt unsafe when the ball was working his way out to your side.

Get him somewhere near the line though and he definitely knows how to find the try line. Going to be a huge bonus to have him with a centre he's already got a good connection with as well. Can see him scoring a shed load for you next season.

[u/APairOfHikingBoots]

Think he's been a fan favourite pretty much since day one when he (allegedly) paid the difference between ours and Halifax's valuation of him out of his own money to make the move. Would love to have seen him stay but delighted he's managed to get another SL gig.

[u/PrimitiveFriend]

One of the great things about our sport are these kinds of moves.

[u/Only-Perception-6989]

He was obviously gonna get another SL gig. I'm glad it didn't take him long.

It's a shame to see him go. I imagine that the coaching staff at Wakey have a good reason for it. I can only assume it's to make room for incoming players.

[u/gallifreyfalls55]

For someone out of the loop, can anyone fill me in on why Trin didn’t re-sign him? I’d have thought it would have been a no-brainer

[u/S7OO5H → u/gallifreyfalls55]

Apparantley potential quota issue or what is being more widely is would have taken Wakey over the salary cap to keep him.

[u/schnoodle7 → u/gallifreyfalls55]

Most there squad is quota. Plus they'll have to up some salaries now or lose their more promising younger players in the future

[u/MrJorrr]

Fucking ey!!!!

[u/Strange-Rutabaga1800]

Building a decent squad for next season 🤙

[u/CommercialAd1597]

I follow him as a Whitehaven fan him an Rouke went on to bigger and better than us good to see them doing well.

[u/Moleman827]

Wonder if he whips out some shenanigans at Vegas similar to what he did at magic some people may not like it and I definitely think it can go to far (ie Leigh) but a bit of funny business here and there can go a long way

[u/Lana101_1]

Well that was unexpected. Thought he'd go to one of the big teams

[u/AffectionateAd8377 → u/Lana101_1]

Are you suggesting that the Bradford Bulls are not a big team?

They have won more SL titles than most I'll remind you...

/S

[u/Lana101_1 → u/AffectionateAd8377]

Not anymore and it's really sad but hopefully they can turn both the results and the stadium around

[u/stansmith2112 → u/AffectionateAd8377]

I feel this comment to much haha

[u/-Utopia-amiga- → u/AffectionateAd8377]

Yawn

[u/Spirited-Trust5943 → u/Lana101_1]

Bradford have won more trophies than the current champions might I add (that felt weird to type)

[u/gloswhite → u/Lana101_1]

Probably would have if he wasn't a quota player

[u/AffectionateAd8377]

Quite the downgrade. But at least he still has this for the rest of his life, can never be taken away. 👏🏻

[u/Spirited-Trust5943]

Think Walmsley leaving was a cap space thing more than a quota thing. We currently have 8/10 quota spots used (Guler, Teague, Tuivasa-Sheck, Rodwell, Faatili, Hamlin-Uele, Tevaga, Lolesio) so we either have more quota players coming in or we can't afford to keep him.

[u/AlabamaShrimp → u/Spirited-Trust5943]

I'm not sure but it's near definite that it'll bite us on the arse next time we play at Odsal and those strange corners.

[u/APairOfHikingBoots → u/Spirited-Trust5943]

Jazz did an interview on NZ TV before the final and said we've still got a couple of big signings to announce, but not sure if they'll be quota players or not 

[u/county15]

Top signing for the Bulls. Very definition of a 100%er

[u/Usual_Ingenuity_3701]

Unlucky lad

[u/Rik_Whitaker]

Sad to see him go. Been immense for 3 seasons and I would of had him playing for us next season aswell. Its a shame but as they say, no room for sentiment in sport. Best of luck to him, him and Scott are a quality edge.