I believe there is a big bonus for 10 games + for fringe players. Wonder what the appearance total is for fringe players!

I heard McDermott wasn't keen on Hardaker always going out drinking and socialising and McDermott playing BJB at full back and Hardaker in the centres for a couple of games was him possibly trying out next years full back.

God I hope not based on BJB's performances there....



I am more inclined to believe this i.e. we will see players leaving rather than coming in.

The policy of staying faithful to the best championship winning side in my memory [uwas[/u correct, but is now begining to feel like the chickens coming home to roost. Leeds can no longer state with confidence "we will pay you less but you will be compensated by being part of a winning side". The club needs to start investing in its younger players [iat the expense[/i of the accelerating declining abilities of its winning old heads....and damn soon. A tough new coach with no previous connections with the playing staff would be an ideal start.

I think mac playing zak in the centre a couple of times this year, had more to do with Watkins being injured tbh. I think some people expect all players are machines off the pitch, and forget they still have lives to live away from it. I've heard numerous rumblings about mac not being happy with zak, and zak is to big for his boots and the players don't like his attitude. It's all rubbish, he's extremely highly rated, and his playing for the club he's supported as a boy.

A couple of seasons ago I said Hardaker was the natural successor to Senior. I've not seen a great deal to change my mind. He is however probably the best British FB now that Tomkins has left SL, but that is because there is no competition at the moment.

the trouble is he nearly always cut back in off his right foot. the year before he played right centre and looked far more comfortable, scoring a great hat trick at huddersfield in the play offs

To be fair, I can think of another centre from Featherstone who didn't have a bad career, despite not having much else in his locker than a big inside step and a decent fend...

Hardaker was at left centre for that Hudds playoff game. He switched back over to the right for the final 2 matches once Ablett had recovered from injury.

not in 2014 he is about to start a testimonial

According to the YEP we are close to announcing the arrival of Aiton from Wakey!!

The great FBs of recent times that I can remember had more to their games than power & pace, which as Hardaker continues to grow will be his main weapons.

Who have you got in mind? I think to be fair, Hardaker has more than pace and power. He has a great step, but more than that is a beautifully balanced runner. He's also a pretty good support player.

That'll flog some season tickets.

Has he been employed to work int he ticket office?


I hope to be proved wrong, but I am getting that Millard feeling about this signing...

Who know's what the conditions of employment will entail.



If we do sign him (which looks likely) McShane looks doomed here and I also hope we play him as a proper hooker, so start him and give him the best chance. Instead of the sporadic manner in which McShane was used.

Billy Slater, Brent Webb, Richie Barnett, Graham Steadman, Minichello, Hayne, Bowen, Tomkins, Gidley, Gary Jack…………Paul Wellens (goes without saying really). Who rely on footwork, pace, acceleration, balance, positioning, timing, rather than sheer power. I have not seen Inglis play FB but would guess he bucks the trend a bit.

I'm not going to put Hardaker in the same bracket as those players, but I think he curently relies more on footwork, angles and balance than on power. Whether that changes as he gets older and fills out remains to be seen. I think he's good enough to reach the heights that some of those above have (probably not all - Billy Slater is probably the best full back I'll ever see) if he keeps improving.

I don't think he will be selected. McDermott has to fit Sutcliffe, McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield and Ward into the 17.

I think one of those needs to be moved on now...sorry but this happens to all players...

and another 2 need to play "in position"

which then makes the whole thing a lot simpler. IMHO

Is that a criticism of McDermott's shoehorn selection strategy that certain players must play no matter what?

If so, when was Sutcliffe included as a member of the shoehorning selection process?

YEP say Aiton to Leeds m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/spo ... -1-6167209

YEP say Aiton to Leeds m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/spo ... -1-6167209

Quote ="casben"YEP say Aiton to Leeds m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/spo ... -1-6167209'" Hope he doesn't mind sitting on the bench

Quote ="casben"YEP say Aiton to Leeds m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/spo ... -1-6167209'" Hope he doesn't mind sitting on the bench

Hope the paper is wrong and you don't sign him! He's a top top player and is better than your current 9.

Which one mcshane,sinfield,burrow or Maguire ?

Aiton has class, pedigree and nause.

The only mystery is why he went to Wakey at all.

As fro Poore - put him at Leeds and he'll kill it.

Look at Horo now he's at Manly....

www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/rugby- ... Paul-Aiton

www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/rugby- ... Paul-Aiton