My Youtube videos might be rubbish and mildly funny. But they not weird so please stop calling that SRS

No.....they are weird.

Really pleased for him. For me he was our most improved player last year.

The players must really love playing for the club, given the choice they always want to stay, and I think thats something that can't be overlooked, we seem to have a wonderful team spirit.

Cringe worthy maybe but not weird. I don’t make weird videos. I never have done and I never will do.

He's certainly earned that 4 year deal after the last 2 one year deals.
A very valuable member of the squad not only because he's a very good second row he's not bad at loose forward or centre and at a pinch could also play at 6.

Ive been a massive ablett fan since I first saw him play! I'm well chuffed about this!

"the glue"

Gareth the point I was trying to make his is a natural loose forward - this would seem to be where he is heading.

This is a key position in the way Leeds play that requires some exposure on the field. What you are saying is leave him where he is until Sinfield retires and then ask him to take over - that seems a bit haphazzard.

I am suggesting a gradual evolution into the role by swapping them around for certain games - otherwise how does he get the experience?

Not at all.

Firstly, this isn't about personal development of an individual player. Its' about what's best for the team.

For now, and the foreseeable future, what is proven to be best for the team is the triangle of McGuire, Burrow and Sinfield. Ablett has found his role and done very well with it.

On the occasions that Sinfield is injured or has to play in the halves we have excellent cover with Ablett but that is as far as it should go, IMO.

I wouldn't dilute the team now to begin preparations for an event 4 years down the line.

Fair points - who is to say it would dilute the team? might improve it - might not.

Using your logic we would never find out - I suppose we have to trust the coaching set up to deliver the correct solution.

Indeed.

He'll certainly get plenty of chances at 13 when Sinfield is injured or playing in the halves so he will get his opportunity to show he can improve the team by playing there.

Excellent news this is.

Cheers Yoda.

For me if he can move into the 13 position as easily as Sinfield moves into the 6 position when required then that has to be a benefit to the team. That will not happen without some exposure to the position and its demands.

Surely if he's that much of a natural he should be able to adapt fairly readily? It seems a bit OTT to disrupt the team to the extent of dropping Sinfield or McGuire to engineer opportunities for him to play LF.

Seems stragely out of place given recent contract policy so I assume it is a good deal money wise for the club
Ablett is a solid player and I would say not a first 17 player but because of the salary cap and the limited squad size it is the sort of player you need

Plus there's really no reason to do so, when there are plenty of opportunities to get his hands on the ball in attack from 2nd row. The line-up on the team-sheet doesn't always have to reflect the way the team lines up for every tackle of every set.

Did you watch Leeds at all last year?

Given that he's only missed 6 games in the last 2 seasons I would say he is part of the first 17.

Beat me to it.

I am not suggesting dropping anyone - no matter how natural you are fitting into a team pattern takes time even for the greatest players.

Not for me it didn't. At all my clubs my coaches realised how I could best contribute to the teams' success and I took to it immediatley and without issue.

Sitting at the bar with a pie and a pint watching the talented lads play came very easy to me.

it is 2010 , i dont think he is first 17 in the current squad

That's because he's injured you dope!

Who has displaced him?

FWIW, I do think he's 1st 17. For me, the starting 2nd row is JJB and Ablett and, on form, JJB's place is more under threat from Eastwood than Abletts as JJB has not reached the heights he did under Smith since Mclennan took charge.

Kirke is also way behind Ablett in the pecking order, IMO.