Yup. Hope that is the way they go. Prefer JJB as a prop to a second row. He runs more like a prop, and his quicker play the balls will help in that area. Not what I want in the backrow anymore, but Prop seems to suit him better.

Based on the fact he can do longer stints ,runs harder and given enough gametime imo he'd prove his worth.
He did alright in danny Mags' testimonial aswell much more impact than kirke.
He got a lot of unfair stick when the whole pack were'nt performing imo and with Kylie only doing 10 minute stints could prove useful.
Now of course if the rumours of his off field conduct are true then we are clearly better off without him but given where we are and the lack of quality at FR i'd have kept him providing he's behaved and trained well.
For me Kirke has served his time and to be fair he came good last year but we should be looking at players younger and more impact.

Gotcha-RE Jjb at Prop aren't you concerned he'd get dominated against bigger packs??
No doubting his work rate and he is a powerful runner but for me he's more useful outwide i'd rather we used a specialist Prop.

I thought he started off ok last year, the try at Wigan when he crashed over near the post may not have been spectacular but it's not something you see a Leeds forward do much compared to some other teams. Felt as the season went on he was suffering from only been giving short spells on the pitch (but then again so did Clarkson, but he seems to have knuckled down in pre-season and forced his way back in). As we approached the playoffs when the team and players were picking up form (even the much maligned Kirke) Griffin did not. He wasn't able to get the starting gig in France when Leuluai was suspended (Kirke did) and in the GF he only got 15 mins on the pitch (Kirke over 40 mins in comparison).

The falling out of favour had already occured by the end of last year, he was perhaps fortunate to get his GF spot with a more eager, hard working Moore waiting in the wings. With the arrival of Achurch and Bailey no longer needed at Loose then I predicted in pre-season he wouldn't be in the 17 at the start of this year and be 6th choice prop (provided that Achurch was used in the front row and not back row) and so it's proved to be.

He was actually in the 19 man squad at the start of the year against Hull so wasn't completely out of contention (granted Leuluai and Moore both weren't fit for that one) but as mentioned above with Chris Clarkson, he seems to have worked his way back into the 17 by hard work, Griffin seems to have responded the opposite way to non-selection.

I'd guess given Salford's situation at the moment then even if he doesn't show up to well there in this month loan that he'll probably end up there permanantly...........if he doesn't play well enough to even get himself a contract at Salford then his career has really hit the skids. Either way I doubt we'll see him wearing a Leeds top again given we have 7 other options at prop atm. It has the hint of the Jamie Thackary about it, expect a comment calling McDermott a "c**t" and him playing lower league soon enough.

Good point re-Clarkson printer it does make you question what we dont see behind the scenes to be fair i just think he was a little unlucky at times last year and got some unfair stick.

He already gets dominated outwide, his yardage is poor per carry, and these days he mainly runs inside. He is better suited, IMO, at prop, and I was impressed with him last week. He still makes the same yardage, but can play the ball quicker than others, and been in the middle of the park this helps the momentum.

I don't consider him a powerful runner in thes lightest, but he does have pace, and through the middle that can be a useful weapon. I just think he looks more comfortable putting in the effort at prop.

They are in the topic "Brian Speaks" over on page 2 of this website. Click on the link provided for a long interview with Brian Mac. In it he says says some of the players won't necessarily like him and that he looks at them as people as well as players, their overall attitude and life away from the sport. A revealing interview that suggests to me it's not just about what you do on the park but what you bring to the team/club as a person.

Could never understand why Leeds signed him.......anyone still think he has been a better option than Amor was - and could have continued to be?



Still I'm not sure he has been given a fair crack: don't think he has ever been an impact prop in the way Kylie was (is). If Griffin had started matches as the main game player, with Kylie the limited time relief substitute, who knows.

In the meantime, Kirke obviously has the same deeply hidden qualities and will continue to cock a snoot at any pretenders to his particular throne in the chosen 17.

Wonder if Singleton will be the next to fall to his continued commanding presence.

To be honest I would rather have kirke in the team than griffin. Not at the exspense of singleton though and would like to see him getting some game time this year.

As McDermott alluded to in his interview he take everything into consideration ie the man etc. and from what I know from inside the camp he (griffin) is a bit of a cock and not a great person to have in the dressing rooms. Maybe kirke is better for the team rather than just on the field

Fair enough if true.

My main point however was Griffin was signed when we had the option of keeping Amor.

I agree with that point!!

Would have rather retained Amour rather than sign griffin. He wasn't bad last year but was just a bit invisable

leeds owl-Yea i saw that mate i just thought you'd seen a different interview where Griffin was specifically mentioned.

I thought Griffin was a good addition to the pack when we initially signed him but its not quite worked out. Griffin never showed quite enough to solidify a good amount of gametime even though being in the 17 more often than not. He certainly never got himself in front of Kirke in McDermotts plans as last season progressed. He could be a good signing for the Reds but just didnt show enough here.

For me not given enough minutes to really establish himself on the field but '=#FF0000if' he's a disruptive influence off it - then admit your mistake, cut your losses, ship him out and move on.

Darrel Griffin is bobbins and your well shut of him

Having played rugby in Macclesfield I can translate... "bobbins = rubbish".

Cross...Wellar...Griff....
Not a great recent run of forward signings. We've cut our losses sooner rather than later at least. But begs the question - why sign them in the first place?

cheap, cheap, and err looked decent at Hudds I would suggest

was very decent then had a big fall out with the club

Can't be that cheap as Leeds spend the full cap or at least they do according to the CEO.

Perhaps he's now fully adjusted the books to reflect the considerable % of the cap spend he needs to keep in his back pocket to facilitate the early removal of his ever growing list of 'experimental' signings?

__________

Griffin knocked an opponent on his back-side with his first hit-up yesterday. Some Leeds 'props' won't match that if they play all season.

Just shows you what difference effort can make.

But was very easily stepped past in defence soon after.

Lost his hips on that one. Surprised he was able to carry on.

Normality restored.



Whilst we are on the topic of crud props, I noticed last week that Cross was complaining about being banned for a game for his needless high tackle on Wellens. Even though he used his early plea on it which confirms guilt

He said he intended to do an aggressive tackle. Well he did. Shame it was techncially awful and illegal.

Classic Cross.

The Cross one on Wellens looked aggresive but I would have liked to see another angle of it to be sure of the initial point of contact, whether Wellens was dipping/falling ...... usual contributory factors if any exist.

Getting sent off just for tackling with venom is not what I want to see.