When? (I genuinely can't remember)

Probably not.

But as Chairman Pearson owes out a shedload of cash, a well timed, bid for the right price could sweeten the pot.

I remember him playing prop once last year towards the back end of the year. Heard a lot of clammer on here for him to be prop, not sure myself, think he can fill in there but not convinced about him holding the prop position down perminently

What did people say about Peacock when first moved up to prop?

(Can't understand any interest in Westerman: Save the money for a good a young marquee prop or half back please)

Agree regarding Westerman, I wouldn't be too bothered about signing him.

Don't know what was said about peacock, was it around 2004/2005 he started there. Delaney might make a decent fist of prop, just don't think he is the answer long term.

Thought the only time Delaney played prop was at home vs HKR. Had several games at loose which is kinda 3rd prop at times I suppose and I thought his best spell of the season was in the matches he was selected at loose.

I would be delighted with the signing of Westerman, many good years ahead of him, in my opinion he is on current form better then JJB, S Ward, Achurch, Clarkson & Delaney on the prop front I would not be surprised if we have some real marquee props ready to come to us next year but we have to wait until next year until Peacock and Kylie are off the salary cap.

12 months ago I wouldn't have been interested about us signing him as his career looked like it might plod away from the early promise but after his strong 2014 I think he'd be a very good addition.

I thought physically he looked the best of England's backrowers in the 4 Nations. Much more impressed with him than either Farrell or Tomkins.

I haven't got a clue. Next time I will wait until it is officially announced that a player is on the market.

Why so touchy?



No issues with a rumour thread (even though this one has no substance) but you actually said he's available when no other press release/rumour has said he is..quite the opposite in fact..so I was thinking/assuming you might have been told differently by someone ie some inside information

Apologies. I wasn't inferring Westerman is available, what I meant was there is no-one who is available comes close to him IMO. So if he does come on the market any team wanting a world class back rower should be in for him.

Sky Sports is suggesting it as a possibility!!!

[urlhttp://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/9589865/super-league-leeds-rhinos-determined-to-bounce-back-from-disappointments-of-2014[/url

It seems he is highly rated by some respected contributors on this forum (I must have missed something but I am happy to defer to informed opinion). Buderus was a clear example of a magnificent signing despite there been no apparent 'need' or priority. Maybe Westerman will prove to be another if the rumours are true.

It is still slightly depressing though that in the skysports report Burrow is described as Leeds' hooker. Where DID it all go so wrong??



Let's hope Robbie Ward can step up this season and command this hugely important role. Delaney will become the 'new Peacock'; Cuthbertson will be a revelation as a barnstorming SL prop and Singleton will be playing so strongly that Kylie can step down gracefully and take a fill in only (back seat).
There that's a few 'problem' positions filled...

Now what about those halfback problems?

Nah that's done it...I've gone back into depressive mode

No need or priority? I'd say our back row was weaker than our front row.

If there's a problem with the back row it is that the players there are too much of the same type - work horses in defence and carting the ball up but not offering as much offensively and not linking with the backs well enough (Ablett aside, and maybe Achurch when he's played there).

Make or break for Achurch this season. 3rd season with the club if if can't be a regular starter this season time to cut him loose. Looks great as a wide runner.

I think our second row should offer more than just carting the ball up. They should have good footwork, run good lines and be able to pass to their outside.

If Westerman were to be available he would offer a similar style of play to ablett, a good mixture of effort and ability.

Delaney to prop is a no brainer really. He never uses his hands, he doesn't run excellent lines but he is willing to cart the ball up all day long, and is solid defending. Moving Delaney to prop would not aletr his game one bit, and in fact he'd probably get spelled more. He could then be replaced by someone with a bit more threat out wide.

I don't mind Achurch offers something different to our other back rowers. Seems to be a confidence player and needs a run of games, injuries have disrupted him. Also think our coach hasn't helped him, in his first year he was played prop which isn't his position

If his year 1 to year 2 development continues into year 3, he will be a handy squad player.

I just question his innate quality. His best games last year came against the poorest quality in Super League, so until he pulls some punches in the big games he can only then be a contender for regular 1st team action.

Not only him though, Stevie Ward is another.

Agree big season for the two you mentioned. Stevie ward needs to show something this season, not lived up to the mega hype he received in his younger days. Both him and sutcliffe I think are good players but don't for me seem to have a particular position. The club clearly see sutcliffe as our half back but I remain unconvinced. Seems to have the build to bulk up a bit and might be a bit of the ball playing loose forward

Oh dear, sorry to dissapoint you but westerman isnt the disruptive guy you say he is, he has got married to his longtime partner and recently had another child, not saying he wont go out for a drink but which player doesnt?

Got better and better last season being allowed to play his natural game unlike mcnamara and gentle who used him as an extra forward

I agree, also getting away from chase was a big help too. I hear another year at hull then warrington his likely destination.
would love him at leeds mind

He doesn't "owe out a shedload of cash," but he has been hit in the pocket due to the money he has had to shell out plus our falling attendances.

Everyone has a price, but Pearson can't afford to alienate the fans any further, and even if you were to offer say £250,000, I don't think he would consider it to be a risk worth taking.

I don't remember us ever selling a player during the last 10 years or so. We've had plenty leave who we would have liked to keep, but only once their contracts had expired. Despite our lack of on field success we are still a big club in all other areas, and a big transfer fee wouldn't really do anything for us when you look at the big picture. Therefore the only reason he would leave is if he said he didn't want to play for Hull any more, and afaik he enjoys being here.


As for Westerman the player. Well I think it is fair to say that for his first few years at Hull be probably didn't progress in the way we wanted him to. But he has been excellent over the last season and a half. Without him and Ellis we could easily have been relegated last year.

Since Radford came in he has almost played a James Graham type role for us. Getting his hands on the ball a lot and playing close the line. His hands are good enough to play the pivot role but he's also big and strong enough to bust tackles if he decides he's going to carry it.

His defence was questioned when he was picked for England, and I posted some stats on the VT. Not only does he make miles more tackles than any other back rower but he misses less than most too. I think getting rid of the shoulder charge has helped him, he often used to go looking for the big hit too often, but he's reigned that in a lot.

As for his well documented off field "problems" again I've not heard anything negative on this front for years now. It's easy to forget he's only 24. He probably just needed to grow up a bit.

Westerman is one of those players who you would have to pay a premium for, whoever signs him will probably need to pay a top some for a player who isn't and wont be at that level.

There is a good player in Westerman, probably a very good player, don't think he will ever be at the very top though, but someone will pay that for him