I watched a lot of Wests because of Pat Richards' involvement. Galloway played alongside Aaron Woods who IMO is the best prop in the world. Marty Taupau came off the bench and he was awesome. Alongside these two Galloway looked solid but nothing special. I was surprised when Leeds got him.

But having said that he played in all four of the 4 Nations in 2011, which wasn't that long ago, so he has some pedigree. I mean to play prop for Australia you would have to think he'd be pretty good - it's not like they are short of decent players (mind you they said that about Josh Perry). Against that he only made 1 SoO appearance.

The job of a starting NRL prop is more often than not to cart the ball up one or two times a set without dropping it, and being solid in a well-organised middle defence. With exceptions like Bromwich, Graham or Fifita they're usually just spokes in a wheel. Then they come over here and the wheel isn't there and they look rubbish - Josh Perry, Ben Cross etc. perfectly servicable in the NRL and entirely unsuited to SL. Galloway may be another of them - unless they've got another part to their game like Cuthbertson they'll struggle.

The NRL props who most suit Super League are the impact forwards who run and hit at a million miles an hour, like Kylie and Sam Moa. Garbutt is probably just about in that category.

Completely agree.... He's a run of the mill, no thrills, low errors, low impact type prop (he did have a couple of good years when he got rep honours). He's no worse this year for Leeds than he was for Wests last year - but Leeds needed more from him - he could never be a like for like replacement for Peacock, few could, Leeds needed that workload sharing out, but Galloway needs to offer more, and I just don't think he's physically capable of offering much more than he currently is.

There's a few young forwards at the Warriors that would be fantastic signings, Charlie Gubb, Sam Lisone, Albert Vete, but again, I'd be very surprised if they could be pulled away from the NRL - on the open market, they'll be very much sought after.

I'd hate to see us Bring loads more Aussies over, and really don't think we should be looking over there unless they are top class (Farah). I quite like Daniel Mortimer but he isn't in that bracket.

I'd like to see us get rid of Achurch and Falloon, then possibly Galloway and Ferres depending on money, and Delaney unfortunately because he can't stay fit.

In terms of signings I think it's difficult to predict, we without a doubt need a hooker (Clarke, Farrah, Pellisier, O'Brien) If we can get one who can do a lot of defensive work we could think about moving Sutty to loos which is more and more looking like his position. We probably need at least one more prop, Baldwinson will likely leave without ever having chance to prove anything.

We are also crying out for some punch in the back row, I'd be tempted to take a punt on Williams or Hurrell in the hope they come good like Dave Taylor.

I would much rather keep a hold of Ferres than Delaney.

He's settling in now, like I said on another thread, you would have expected this from a new signing like Galloway. One problem with having Burrow at 9 is that effectively we only have 5 forwards on the pitch and our middle is under defended. A fit Aiton would have made things look so much better.
I thought both of them were very good against Hudds in the league game. Garbutt looks way fitter than last year and starting seems to suit him.

I think it's clear we need a solid defending hooker to rotate with burrow when things need switching up. I think Falloon has been unlucky with injuries but he needs to show what he's got if he is going to earn another year.

Mags and lilley at hb for me unless real quality becomes available. Ratchford is a great shout for me. Get him in next year to work with mags and lilley then he can take over when mags winds down.

Get rid of ferres and achurch. Keep jjb but again we need a succession plan for jjb and Delaney who is held together but determination alone now.

I honestly don't think we need a lot, just two or three additions of genuine quality.

Id be thanking McGuire and giving him his gold watch. It was always going to be a stretch to get much game time out of him this year and this will only get worse when he's a year older. Why the hell we didnt recruit a top quality half back for this year is beyond me given Sinfield was going with McGuire not far behind. Weve got lucky with Lilley although flogging him in this losing side may ultimately do more harm than good. we have a marquee spot so get your chequebook out hetherington

Whilst I think mags has a bit more in him than you give him credit for who do you propose we sign? There is a lack of obtainable quality in general.

Delaney under contract until end of 2018.

well, if he keeps on playing crocked he will be using a walking frame by the end of his current deal.

Hmm two and a half seasons then

Why was it always going to be a stretch to get much game time out of him this year?

He only missed 2 of our 36 games last year, one was rested before Wembley and the other he missed a week from Sneyd's crocodile roll on his ankle.

It was his best run fitness wise since his serious knee injury back in 2010/'11

Backs:
Luke Briscoe [2016
Tom Briscoe [2018
Ashton Golding [2018
Ryan Hall [2018
Ashley Handley [2017
Zak Hardaker [2019
Jordan Lilley [2016
Danny McGuire [2017
Joel Moon [2018
Liam Sutcliffe [2017
Kallum Watkins [2019

Forwards

I am not fully up to speed with which team has marquee players this year.
My guesses are only 5 or 6 teams have taken it up
Wigan Tomkins
wire Gidley
Hull FC Pritchard
Catalan Taylor
Salford Lui
Cas McShane

not sure about Salford and Lui but interesting that the others make up the current top 4. Appreciate the return of the prodigal pie munching son is yet to take place (hope Carney and Clarke can contain themselves when it happens). Although Tomkins is yet to lace a boot I wonder if these sides in general benefit from psychological, confidence boost of signing a top player. Can't see us doing it in 2017 - in part due to reduced capacity at Headingley. Interesting to see if saints opt for it next year if they miss out on the 4.
Does anyone know if a club has to announce they have used the marquee rule to sign a player?

Don't think any player has been given the marquee tag......especially not Paul McShane at Castleford.

Makes you think some may almost be too tough, determined for their own good. Trust Leeds are taking his long term well being is to account. Miles better medical care these days than old days of 70/80's "have another injection".

Cheers. I might have got him confused with Liam Finn at Wakey.

Thing with Delaney is, if Ward and Ablett were fit then along with Ferres it wouldn't be a problem if he could only give you maybe 15 games a season. With the starters injured his injury problems are highlighted further.

If you have him on a deal/money that reflected that he probably wouldn't make the starting 17 when everyone is fit but can be a useful/experienced squad member then I'd keep him. You could lose two 2nd rowers from the current squad in Achurch and Walters (maybe JJB will retire too) so if you potentially lose that many back rowers in one go do you let another go at the same time. Don't want to leave yourself short of numbers in today's game, we did last year and it almost cost us because unlike this year numbers 21-25, last year's 21-25 barely played for us.

Delaney himself has said that he's come back too soon a few times. That means he's not doing himself or the team any favours, and the decision needs to be taken away from him - train all week and pass a fitness test and you can play, otherwise sit it out again.

Who knows how many more games he could have played if he wasn't trying to be a hero. He's not the only one who seems to have done that this year, and BM and the fitness staff (who haven't covered themselves in glory this year) should have started doing this way earlier. If they keep doing this we'll be playing injured players right to the end of the season, which is ridiculous.

As for signings, if you want decent NRL you need to be actively talking now, not in a few months time. I think GH has tended to rely as much on luck as judgement in his NRL recruitment, despite his nice annual holidays. Nobody can expect an Ali or even Garbutt to land in your lap every year.

In previous seasons they've been times McDermott has brought players back possibly too soon when we had other options. This year though to be fair, he's not really had the luxury of giving guys extra weeks off, it's been bare bones a lot of weeks.

He has had another option all year. Simply don't pick injured players and, horrors, pick some Academy lads. We'd have lost some games by bigger margins, but in the context of this season so what?

As it is we're on a merry-go-round of players getting injuries, coming back half fit and getting injured again. Its not as if the tactic of picking the walking dead has actually worked.

Like I say, how many of our currently injured squad might be fully fit now had they not been played crocked?

Looks like Rangi Chase could be available.

I would guess every team has used the marquee rule this year, I have been told Leeds is Watkins.

Yet GH said we havent used it but would have for Sam Burgess??
Also unless there's been an extension i dont see how KW could be our Marquee player!