Lance Todd trophy winner 2005.

Man of the Match WCC 2008.

Like you said, he's only vital to us

Last man up the steps to pick up the trophy on three of those occasions.



To answer the question of our Wigan visitors about Ratu - went on loan to Fax but apparently had problems adjusting to the prevailing "culture" at the club. Be interesting to see how he goes back in a more professional environment. although Watkins and Gibson seem to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Keith Senior has also been a consistent during this period. What happened following his last major injury in 2005 - we lost the CC, failed in the play-offs and were dire the year after as a team. Coincidental with Senior's worst patch of form with Leeds since joining the club? I too can be selective with the facts

Just where do you think this discussion will go if you're going to be self serving and selective with the facts?

Not in my direction and that is just not on.

10th October 2003
Headingley
17,264
Steve Ganson (St Helens)
22 - 23
14 - 10

Leeds:
Danny McGuire
Richard Mathers, Gary Connolly, Keith Senior, Francis Cummins
Andrew Dunemann, Rob Burrow
Matt Adamson, Matt Diskin, Barrie McDermott
David Furner, Chris McKenna, Kevin Sinfield


Who won MOM in 2003?

?

Are you asking who was MOM in that game from Headingley you've posted? Was it a final of some sort?

I note, btw, that our right cenrte in that game was an ageing about to retire player who was actually signed to play full back. Top line centres are really essential aren't they?

That ageing full back filling in at centre won MOM in the 2003 CC Final playing his natural, important role at full back.

Carney?

Possibly, was that the night of his two spectacular tries as well as the Danny Tickle drop goal that wasn't?

Yes.

playoffs 2003

Shenton has already been offered to Leeds who turned him down - not sure how much of that was because of his agent

Welbeck is coming through UNDER rooney, tevez, berbatov et al. He is been given targeted games in order to aid development and see if he cuts the mustard.

Now imagine Man U with JUST Rooney & Welbeck. I don't think welbeck would be putting in the same performances if asked to play week in week out.

Some people think juniors do not develop unless they're put in sink or swim scenarios playing week in week out.

Dominant teams don't last forever in Rugby. Just ask Wigan, Bradford the Saints in recent years. We need to do everything possible to make this run of success last. If that means admitting we're short in the centres and getting someone in then so be it. Deny that fact all you want and mix it up with senitments of youth development but the fact remains.

If gibson and Watkins were first teams players they would have played last year WHEN WE HAD 1 FIRST TEAM CENTRE. All we've done is carry over the same squad weakness with no improvements.

fwiw the most impressive youngster this season (early as it is) has been McShane for me and look who he has infront of him.

Wasn't Gidley in the 2006 Saints side that won the treble and was he also in the CC semi and final side in 2008 - not sure who Saints beat in the 2007 CC semi? So I think Gidley record stands up to anyone in the Leeds side Peacock apart. I think he has 3 CC winners medals and a GF winners medal!!!

As am aside top centres are the most exciting players on the field to watch - they have the handling skills of a half back with more pace and power - to simply disregard them as unnecessary does them a great injustice

Except of course that Gibson wasn't able to play as he was injured for most of the season, and Watkins was barely turned 17 and while talented, physically underdeveloped to play at SL level week in, week out.

So if we had just Diskin and McShane available to play 9, you think McShane would be up to playing every game? What happens if Diskin for example then got a long-term injury and McShane was having to play 65-70 minutes every week?

Anyone who can't see the potential benefits to McShane from having someone like Buderus at the club is failing to see the wood for the trees.

I think Lyon was at Saints in 2006. Gidley doesn't have a GF ring. Carl Ablett has 2.

Who has dis-regarded centres?

I am simply pointing out the really important spine of the team.

The one true quality centre in the league (Gidley - your words) hasn't delivered a championship for his team.

What fact? You haven't posted any facts?

Gibson and Watkins did play last year didn't they?

Matt Diskin. A product of our youth policy. The ageing import we've signed hasn't done much yet. hardly a glowing endorsement for doing the same with the is it?

How do you know when the only games you see are on sky?

If he considers a squad that won a WCC and Championship as full of weakness then as well has being a part timer watching on Sky he must also be a newbie glory hunter.

I have just been told this very morning that we will be without Lee Smith next season, as he has signed for a London based Union team.
Personally I think this will be a big loss as he has been magnificent this last year.

This year is only 4 games in and I'm sure we'll replace him adequately.

10 games ago Leeds fans opinions would likely have been very different as regards Lee smith

I am not disagreeing with your comments abouts the importance of 1, 6,7,9,13 but it would appear from your comments that as long as you have good players in those positions the rest are an irrelevance any anyone can play there - not sure I agree with that.

One of the reasons the Aussies bash us every time is the respective quality of the two countries centres. Whilst you may be in denial as to Gidley impact in the Saints side no one could be in denial as to Lyon's impact.

I am not in denial at all about the impact of Gidley or Lyon. Either would be a tremendous addition to our right centre.

there's no a cat in hell's chance of us getting either though. And if we don't it doesn't bar us from our 3rd successive championship.

Could not agree more and in Watkins we have a potential England centre every bit as good anyone as the likes of Hodges, Folau etc

If true, that was a big mistake by the Leeds management. He is clearly a great prospect and one of the few to trouble Senior last season.

I see from this morning's NRL coverage that Shannon Hegarty was available in January. Could have done a good job at Headingley this season if he was up for coming over.