Several months ago I would probably have agreed that we should be giving the kids a chance.
But as it stands now the likes of Donaldson in particular have proved their worth this season.
Whilst Thompson might not be the star we are looking for I do see the merits in having him around.
He can do the hard graft and won`t take a backward step or be intimidated like perhaps the younger blokes might.
As for Donaldson I wish we had a few more like him who week in and week out puts his body on the line.
Playing alongside experienced players will do no harm to the development of the kids going forward and takes some of the pressure off them in the meantime.

I think that's the context we should consider. Leeds are trying to fill the club with good role models BECAUSE they are trying to develop the young lads through, not because they're trying to block them.

They will have a plan - there is almost universal consensus on here that another prop is necessary, and rumours the club is on the hunt. What we can't afford to do is have any complacency because we lifted the CC this year - the squad still needs development if we are to become the top side in SL again.

I am looking forward to next season already; I feel we have a much better foundation than we've had for a number of years. Probably not the finished article yet and we'll have to see just how financially exposed Leeds has been to COVID compared to the likes of Saints and Wigan. But if we're winning more than we're losing, and playing good stuff along the way with the young talent developing, happy days.

Bodene Thompson has earned a contract with us imo his effort has been first class if we've offered him a 3 year deal i can get why people might be moaning but I believe it's just a year extension til end of 2021 season ( even a two year deal isn't the end of world I don't think) he takes up a quota spot yes, but we still have a spare quota spot to use if the right overseas player become available for us to try and sign. But with the Rumours we might be looking at a English born Prop such as Luke Thompson or Tom Burgess who we've been rumoured with i have no problem with B.Thompson getting a contract he can cover our back row if we were to have some injuries can also play a bit of middle handy player to have for me.

Cheap? He will be well paid as a 1st Team member.
As for remembering a financial crisis why waste the money & s Quota spot on a grafter when we have plenty already?
Quota spots should be for quality players Thompson isnt one.
As for needing role models Gale T.Briscoe Prior Ava Dwyer Leeming Myler Sinfield as DOR are all role models hpw many 32yr old role models fo we need?

Yes I think there’s a very good chance he’ll be a pretty cheap signing salary wise, he’s hardly an overseas superstar nor is he in the peak of his career.. In my opinion of course, happy to be proven wrong however.

All good points though for me if we're going to upgrade then a replacement needs to be a significant improvement. Marginal gains are all well and good but would they outweigh the disruption? The role model argument shouldn't apply. Like you say, there should be plenty already

Good point. Think some take this role model thing to far. Blocking a talented youngster isn't being a good role model!

Have you lot won the lottery?
If not Thompson and other retentions are about the limit at the monent

Not if we are never going to use that spot , for me he has been our best forward this season

Let's work out our current back rowers. From 1st choice onwards;

1 - Martin
2 - Mellor
3 - A.Sutcliffe
4 - Donaldson
5 - Walters
6 - L.Sutcliffe
7. Thompson

Such a waste of a quota spot. Also add Stevie Ward, he does still play for us! Obviously we don't know if he'll make a comeback. But he is currently a Leeds player. When he's fit Thompson becomes out 8th choice back rower.

Bodene Thompson has been our best forward this year?

If he is only on say 30K he is value for money , any more than that then he is not ,

Yep overall he has in my opinion

Is Stevie Ward still a Rhinos player, won’t his contract have ran out now?

Blimey.

Im not against the signing but are you smoking something funny?

Better than Oledski, Prior, Martin and Ava?

OK then i will give you Prior ,
Martin is ok on his day but sometimes you do not see him and as on other threads i have stated the improvement of Oledski , he still has a fair way to go and as for Ava , he was dire early season and straight after lockdown although has improved since

No...
Oledsjki or Prior been our best.

L Sutcliffe isn’t a back rower for me. If we were to sign another prop I would imagine there will only be one space on the bench for a back rower, and that likely could be Cam Smith.

Are we sure Thompson does count on the quota for next year given that Toronto have folded?

Like I said, I’m sure the club have a plan and we won’t be making lots of changes to this squad for next year.

To be fair to Thompson he’s shown a couple of nice touches here and there. It’s not a great use of a quota spot if it is.

I dont think back row should be anywhere near our top priority but if we want another why not get the big lad back from wigan? Bit of a gamble and perhaps slightly more money but if it paid off we could have a top quality versatile forward for the next 4/5 years.He also wouldn't count on the quota, leaving them open for genuine class from oz

Yeah he counts for 2021 as he was out of contract with Toronto at the end of the season. All their players are now unemployed and can sign elsewhere.

Confirmed a two year deal

Poor use of an O/S spot

Ha just put the same on another forum.

I'm happy with Thompson resiging would have preferred a 1 year extension but 2 years isn't end of the world and yes he does take up a Overseas spot but we still have 1 free and we could still go after good English talent but I only expect 1 new signing with how club have come out and said not much change this off season. Thompson is hard working player and also gives us options in back row if we have injures or other players are out of form.

I'm not a fan of using Overseas spots for squad players. Each quota player must be a starter.