[urlhttp://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos/leeds-rhinos-departing-achurch-out-to-make-big-impact-1-7835381[/url

Massive chunk of the salary cap taken up by Achurch as I understand it. With Sinny and JP gone last season we must have bags of cap available to get some quality in for 2017 onwards now.

Mac and Mitch don't get on. Mitch playing for another club will show what he can do.

Always injured. Dosent threaten with ball. Dosent play long minutes. Move on

Go now for me and get someone else in.

It's not as easy as that though, is it? He'd have gone long before now if we could have found anyone daft enough to take on his salary.

True, and like iv'e said before, you can't blame the guy for seeing his contract through. It was a bad piece of business really, i know he looked like he had some potential but he was still a big gamble for the big long contract, as he hadn't done much in the NRL.

He's coming in handy now apparently the club are using his Gym .I wonder how much he's charging?

Kind of a Weller Hauraki signing.

When he's had a run of games he's looked decent. Seem to be very much a confidence player and being scapegoated every other week when he does get in the team has counted against him. Hasn't helped with his well documented fitness problems.

Maybe, but for me he is a forward in the catagory of Ian Kirke, Chris feather. All the physical attributes to be a top class forward sadly have a heart the size of a pea.

About time! absolutely useless, no backbone whatsoever, too soft, galloway next

Who's Mitch Achurch?

Anyone else pick up the tone of his comments - basically saying the players are doing all they can and putting in the effort, it's up to the coach to fix it.... No love lost there...

Anyhow - he's one of the top earners at the club, and has failed to deliver value for money... Once he's gone, we can pay the big money for a player with more impact or for the same amount of money he's being paid, we could get at least 2, probably 3 young English lads who'd each offer more....

As you know how much he earns please do tell

After his act of cowardice at Catalan last season is it any wonder McDermott does not rate him. There is a good player in there somewhere but we are not gonna see it at Leeds. Needs to develop a backbone and grow a pair !

I find it difficult to believe Achurch (with little NRL first grade experience) would be one of the top earners at the club. Not unless GH mislaid his legendary parsimony for a split second during the drawing up of a contract. He's nowhere near a six figure salary IMO and probably closer to 50k.

Don't know exact, but Im led to believe it's over £120k! One long term sponsor (who I believe may also be involved in the board room) of the club gave away general details when having a bit of a rant amongst close friends and family one day....

Not sure what GH was thinking, but I reckon he's been sold a dud by someone who he's previously relied on for good Intel from Oz...

Phil Gould at the time said Achurch got a "ridiculous" offer that Penrith couldn't compete with. I'm led to believe he actually *is* on 6 figures.

Gus Gould said live on air before Achurch came to us that he had an offer made from Penrith but had opted to join Leeds in the SL on a 4 year deal for what he described 'a kings ransom' he couldnt turn down.I suppose Gus would know given his links to the Panthers.

beat me too it

that always stuck in my mind as i watched the game to check Achurch out.

I think Gus actually called it 'crazy money' in a game when Achurch was playing for the Panthers after he'd signed with Leeds..

you may be right, was a while back.

All the signs point to him being on a tidy sum though.

GH also said Achurch would be playing for England by the end of the season (2013)

Of course that might reflect his opinion on the talents of Achurch rather than the magnitude of the payment. In the way that £25K for a 1.4 Astra would be classed as crazy money.

Thanks for the info.

I've filed that away for the next time one of GH's acolytes mentions how well he manages the cap and runs a tight ship.

Unbelievably foolish signing then, if true

I find the £100k or more for 4 years idea mind blowing but do recall the line about him being an England regular. Implied he was going to be a controlled Gareth hock. Insert your own punchline.

When wire did there cull at end of last year, does anyone know if they were all out of contract? Or can anyone explain what happens to your cap if you pay some guys off early/Show them the door?