I think our plans for a replacement hooker have just been massively accelerated.

One hopes that Robbie Wards name isn't already on the team sheet for Hunslet on Sunday. If he plays on Sunday for them, it will say a lot about how Leeds rate him.

By Krist....just read this thread. From being confident of Leeds winning at Wembley and very possibly going onto a fabulous treble I am now thinking Wembley will have to suffice. A HUGE blow and just shows how easily a season can turn from the heights of last week and tonight to some level of trepidation.

I hope to god Burrow is not promoted to starting hooker. Let's hope Robbie Ward can step up....or maybe play Sinfield at hooker. But with no Sutcliffe who would take over at SO?

Bad bad bad news

Not sure it will make any difference. I might be wrong, but I guess we are too late to make any changes?

Its a tough one.Its not really the time of year to be seeing if a youngster is up to the task especially in such a key role.So many big games coming up now and he will be under the microscope big time.That said, for all his qualities i don't think Burrow is up to the job of 80 minute hooker so we have to do something.

I was just thinking to myself when we were playing so fluently half way through the match that it would be typical now for us to lose a key play maker and throw a spanner in the works and so it has happened.We will lose a hell of a lot with Aiton gone.

Well McDermott has never gone for the 4 forwards bench so I can only assume R.Ward will get a bench spot now. He did at Hull in the Cup when McGuire was injured and Burrow had to start at 7 so think he will be on the bench from now on.

It's a risk but he did well last year and we still have several league games to play.....Keinhorst and Handley came in and did well, why not Ward?

Your first 3 sentences sum up my feelings. Our hopes of the double are diminished hugely. The best option is Sinfield to Hooker, but then who will be the starting 6?

Senior = 2005 just before the CCF

10 years later

Aiton = 2015 just before the CCF

Could be just as much (if not more) impactful

Possibly Burrow & McGuire at 6/7 and Sinny to Hooker?

Both years playing against an unfancied team from Hull. And if I remember rightly, we were well on for the treble until that injury and ended up coming 2nd in every comp.

Seems most likely. Would Stevie Ward to stand-off be worth trying. Keeps Burrow as bench impact, with Sinfield switching to 6 when he comes on.

That's what I'd do, with R Ward on the bench. How much longer until the other Ward is back.

Just watch to see if Albert Kelly makes the final!

What a lot of negative views. Burrow will do a good job you'll see

After feeling I was going to retire to bed a very elated man with the warm thought of getting our own back on Wigan too next week, I now have the depressing thought of 'the ape' grinning all over his face at a treble over Leeds.

I want to remain optimistic, but losing Aiton is a savage savage blow.

Can only hope that Robbie Ward grabs his chance and shines like Handley before him. It's a big ask of him though.

Every team is gonna lose players in the next 8 weeks. Some will be pivots. That's the game. We may have lost Delaney too. He looked like something serious has gone.

There are 6 other players more important to our team winning trophies than Aiton.

Win 3 games and we are in the Semi's. He could be back for the semi's/final.

Yeah but you also thought BJB should've been FB ahead of Hardaker.......so....

Think of the 6/7 players we need fit to win trophies that are still fit. That might help you sleep!

He can't make space or pass from DH like Aiton which slows us down.Burrow has a good tackling technique but he's small and so defends on the flanks.

I think we can win the CCF without Aiton..the GF and the games vs Wigan and saints are another matter.
We need to decide our plan for rest of the season .
Burrow at hooker or to SH with Sinfield at hooker.

I'd class Aiton in the top 2 of our most important players. Because the alternatives (Burrow) is frightening. Aiton produced a classic example tonight of what a modern day hooker should be doing out of dummy half. Burrow is physically incapable of playing this role.
Our pack had to get on top tonight before we started scoring points, this would not have happened if Burrow started at 9.

Massive blow without doubt.
Those saying Burrow will step up are living in fantasy land.
Whilst he may do well coming on from the bench there is no way he will make the amount of tackles Aiton would make.
Can Keinhorst play hooker??

Now you know I never said that and you are a country member of the anti Burrow club...so....

I'm hoping Sinfield to hooker with R Ward on the bench.
We could do with the other Ward returning now, especially if Delaney has a knock

You did though at the beginning of the 2014 season when Briscoe had arrived for BJB wing spot. You also felt the need to tell us that Dorn and Shaul had better 'per carry' stats like it actually meant something.

Also I don't mind Burrow, as a substitute option. As a starting hooker I'm like 99% of the people on here who can see it's massively flawed.