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?

Matt Adamson recommended Achurch according to [url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos-newcomer-mitch-achurch-1565360[uTHIS LINK...[/u[/url

Be happy to see another Matt adamson signed for next year

So he was injury prone before we signed him

He'd never played NRL before 2012 (aged 23 IIRC) in large part due to injuries. He got a run for the Panthers that season and started to look very promising. Leeds jumped in, probably because of his British passport and offered him a deal the Panthers couldn't match - both term and salary, but particularly 4 years for someone with a bad injury record.

To be fair its not often that someone comes through in the NRL with promise who is available. Its turned out to be a poor decision, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

In any event I guess Achurch's departure will enable Leeds to make a proper offer to Ferres. Unless he turns it around a lot Falloon will most likely be leaving at the end of the year as well.

Considering that Kirkes last deal will have been on the low side to say the least,it must have been Achurch who put up most of the money for their new Gymnasium

I get that the money is an issue but that's hardly achurchs fault so you can't blame him for that.

I was quite disappointed by his comments though. Ripping into it in training is only half the battle, you need to turn up on match day. Pushing the blame onto the coaches is weak. Is he saying that last year's treble was therefore all down to the coaches? I bet not.

Also didn't realise his missus and child had stayed in oz. On a one year pension top up deal I can see that but for a young guy on a four year deal that shows a lack of commitment for me.

I've always defended achurch as I thought he had been dealt with poorly by the club. On this one interview though I have to question his attitude and commitment.

Never justified his signing or length of contract imo.
If only we'd had a clause in the deal for being a bottle job when faced with that sheer animal that is Morgan Escare.

Wasn't that the game where he broke his hand, hence the reason he was hanging out on the wing when the ball found him?

I get if they are training as hard as they can, and thing's are still not going right then they think ''well what can we do?'' . But he basically says ''we're doing our part, it's up to the coaches to do something now''.

I hope the other players aren't thinking like that because it's up to them to pull this around. Wheres the siege mentality, bothers in arms. We faced worse odds in the 2008 grand final.

Like others have said - all he will be remembered for is bottling it against Escare.

Missed that was on holiday what happened.

He did some good stuff but only usually against the lower teams. Didn't look good when facing the better teams so not convinced he'd have cut it even if he had better luck injury wise. His inability to be flexible and do a job at prop was criminal on his part. Unless you're great in your one preferred position and automatic starter then you can't expect to just play 2nd row and nothing else in today's game with the big injury lists teams get.

Why would we be listening to that preening, self promoting petulant fella?

William, or Adamson?

Agreed he should have reverted back to organising those beach parties

that was a top night

brilliant night that was

Best social event the Rhinos have ever organised