Quote ="Neruda"'Gary Hetherington said, "It is not come as a surprise because Paul rejected a new 3-year contract from us' www.therhinos.co.uk/news/27061.php#.VcOLUa0mNEY'" Wasn`t aware of that the greedy pig Therefore it does seem he has gone for more cash which like others have said who can blame him. Hooker nowadays is such an important role on the park and Catalan with space on their salary cap have probably thrown much more at that role than we have.

Quote ="Neruda"'Gary Hetherington said, "It is not come as a surprise because Paul rejected a new 3-year contract from us' www.therhinos.co.uk/news/27061.php#.VcOLUa0mNEY'" Wasn`t aware of that the greedy pig Therefore it does seem he has gone for more cash which like others have said who can blame him. Hooker nowadays is such an important role on the park and Catalan with space on their salary cap have probably thrown much more at that role than we have.

I think one thing that might have got lost somewhere, is that Leeds generally make new contract decisions on overseas players at the start of the season. Seems to have happened that way for a number of years.

Tad posted on here months ago that Leeds had made a cash offer for Houghton, and received the usual abuse for it.

From the timing of things above, I think Leeds did make Aiton an offer, but it was early, and without the hindsight of seeing the season he has had. Without the hindsight of how good a year he has had that offer probably was no different to the contract he was on. By the same token, Aiton probably made his decision without the hindsight of how good Leeds have been, no one could possibly have seen us as good as this, this year.

Then knowing he wouldn't sign the new offer, the club will have allowed him to speak with other clubs, and seek to make its own plans. Hence the offer made at the time for Houghton, which Tad was clearly correct on.

I don't think this development from player and club has been made in the last couple of weeks, but was made months ago. I also reckon both club and player will be regretting the course taken, and will learn from it. Had both known they would be such a good fit, I reckon Leeds would have done more to keep him, and Aiton would have seen his priorities change.

For me it is just simply a case of timing issues, and one again for me, that all party's lose from. The player does not deserve to be crticised for the decision made. He could very well, for this year at least, be the difference between winning nothing, and winning plenty.

I'm still struggling to understand the fascination with Aiton. He has been. Journeyman player all his career - he would be in the NRL if any team wanted him. You surround him with some good players and all of a sudden he's Cameron Smith. The key to the hooking role is go forward on attack and an ability to make 40 tackles a game. Replacing Aiton will not be that tough plenty of suitable candidates out there.

Like who?

Agreed.

I think it's probably more a concern that we'll take a backwards step and revert to Burrow at hooker. If we sign somebody then it'll be fine.

Much more likely to take a bigger step backwards if Sinfield isn't replaced. We cannot replace at the same level but no replacement would leave a bigger hole than not replacing Sinfield IMO

Leeds made Lunt look good they have done the same for Aiton plenty of his standard out there

It's alright doing the basics, but the key is finding someone who does those basics to a consistently high standard - low handling errors, good decision making, makes tackles, has a short kicking game, delivers fast, accurate ball from the ruck.

You'll probably find a number of hookers who do them to a decent standard and maybe offer some other things on top, but IMO Aiton has done these to a standard matched by maybe only one or two other players in his position in the competition this year. You could take the starting 9 from most other SL clubs and some NRL ones, and they would be a downgrade on the 2015 version of Paul Aiton.

I tend to agree Sal. We need a high percentage goal kicker and tactical kicker who can also provide some game management. Sutcliffe has great potential and should continue to be developed but we have a short term need now and a long term need for when Mags hangs up his boots.

We have made some excellent signings in the forwards and we have the best set of backs in SL so it would be a terrible waste if these players talents were limited by the lack of some halfback control.

Ailton has been very good this season but as I have said before this improvement could be as much to do with work done on the training field with good angles run by the support and of course the addition of Cuthbertson.

Assuming that we haven't got a replacement already signed then the task to replace Aiton is a lot harder than some seem to think.
Just look at how long it's taken us to replace Buderus. Now, I know Aiton, is no Buderus but, finding a quality hooker that fits into the way the team plays is extremely difficult.
I think Aiton has been one of the most pivotal players in the league this season. He's outplayed the opposition's hooker in almost every game and, I'm struggling to think of many games this year where he hasn't been at least 7/10.

You're right. The Hooker is one of, if not the, most important position on the field, not understanding the vital role that Aiton has played this year, which I'm sure our forwards will all vouch for, is failing to understand this.

Is it possible that Singletons new deal is way of increasing cap space by extending his contract but keeping him on the same money? Thus giving us more spending power in finding another hooker. Just a thought.

I would say that would be near as damn it a no possible. Singleton would be pretty dumb to accept low money at this stage of his career, and the club would be pretty poor to expect that.

Nah I expect Singleton will have had an increase on his salary and given his role in the squad it would be well deserved.

You are as shallow as Aiton, and presumptious. I have had 2 jobs in my life, and turned down greater finances over the course of my working career on numerous occasions. When I was employed by a large corporation I had a great job in an idyllic environment. I was offered a substantial increase to move on 2 occasions, I turned them both down because the environment and colleagues I had meant more to me than the money offered to move to an inferior area with potentially less desirable colleagues. I have been self employed for 16 years and still have a core of original customers from 1999. I could have ditched them for more lucrative contracts, but I trust them,am happy with them, and my loyalty has been more than reciprocated even when I went through a period of ill health. Not everyone is like you and Aiton, I don't need a bigger telly or bigger car, I don't stress about chasing the next big contract. I can't wait to be sat outside a coffee shop in Leeds when the Catalans team bus goes past on it's way to Batley. Aiton sat there, not on a booster cushion, but on his big fat wallet, on his way to Mount Pleasant.

I would as usually agree to differ - Like Lunt he looks good in a good team. Tonight will be an interesting game as he has been out played in both the games this season.

So your understanding of Aiton's position is nil. When he finishes playing he will looking to compete with others who have 15 years more experience!! You are in a position to reap what you have sown over the past years - how does Aiton's rugby career manifest itself into future earnings?

Stop backtracking. You said I wouldn't turn down a large salary increase, and you were wrong. People like you have to realise that not everyone is motivated primarily by money. Yes, we all need money nowadays, it's the way of the world. For some people it becomes the key factor when making decisions, as opposed to less money oriented people. Believe it or not, many folk believe in a more balanced approach to living their lives.

He's done what's best for his family , disappointing for us but never mind.

All that matters now is a good hooker, or failing that a half decent stop gap for a year or two until one is available.

Having Burrow as our first choice hooker would waste the forward pack and make us slower than most.

Burrow should be on the bench to interchange with McGuire or Sutcliffe

Our pack in general has been outplayed in both games against Warrington. Very difficult for any hooker to look good in a pack going backwards, something Clark has found out for himself on a few occasions. I can think of quite a few very good hookers who have pulled on the blue jersey of NSW and have looked mediocre in Origin in recent years.

What is arrogant about your attitude is you are talking like Leeds is that idyllic environment, and Catalans not and that the only possible reason Aiton would choose Catalans over Leeds is because of money.

Like the choice between living in Leeds or the south of france for the next 3 years?

It isn't the pack that has beaten NSW its the quality of the Qld back and in particular Thurston, Inglis and Cronk.

Your point begs the question does Aiton look good because of or in spite of the Leeds pack. If he needs the Leeds pack to dominate to show his skills what value does he bring? As you have just pointed out most hookers look good behind a dominant pack.

I would hazard a guess when you had a young family you prime motivation was providing for them and for that you would have been very financially motivated. Unless of course you were prepared to compromise your family's prosperity for your principles? Aiton is now in that position - he has to do what is best for his family not his principles - it is a choice that most of us have to make. You have no knowledge of the respective deals yet you label Aiton greedy!!

Most people afford a more balanced approached once their responsibilities change - something you need to consider when you are labelling players greedy.

Aiton out for 6-8 weeks with a knackered arm.