Briscoe almost certainly took a pay cut for this new deal and he's, most of the time, reliable. The backline, left centre apart, is one area we are pretty robust so it makes sense to keep steady there if there are relatively big changes elsewhere.

Or, alternatively, perhaps Ryan Hall is leaving....

We have some serious sorting out to do with the ageing/injury ravaged pack
Until that area is resolved the backs we have will be irrelevant

On the Walters front, he'll be one of the lowest paid players in the league, you're certainly not going to get someone with the same amount of experience for that money. Granted he doesn't add anything game breaking, but he does a job when we're short on numbers, and isn't someone who we need to keep happy - he's happy to be a squad man, give his all when he gets a game, and not chelp when he's not getting a game. But he certainly isn't breaking the bank or stopping us signing anyone else.

You can argue he's stopping another young lad getting a game, but McD knows what he can do and he's trusted to come into the team and do his job.

We certainly don't need to worry that his signing is going to stop us signing a superstar.

Were not going to sign any superstars so dont build your hopes up. Weve massive commitments that are going to have a financial impact for years to come.

Im sure we will make a couple of signings but it wont be anywhere as dramatic as people think in my opinion. I can see the club giving kids a chance again starting next year. Newman, Holroyd, Johnson and possibly Trout will all step up in first team squad.

I don't have a problem with only a couple of players coming in and kids getting a go. In the current era where everyone is on longer contracts its hard to replace players en masse, so re-signing Briscoe and Mullally isn't a problem either. Walters is just pointless, as he won't be first 17, will spend most of next year on loan and would just block a kid from a game if he gets picked.

I do have a problem with too many of the older players hanging around when they should leave. Its starting to look like they're all going to hang on until the club calls time, regardless of how little they offer. The problem is you could make a case for keeping any one of the older players, and GH and BM clearly feel they owe them loyalty. But there comes a point when they just become a millstone as they can't play a full season and even when fit are not playing well enough as a group. Whilst loyalty fro the club is important, some of these guys need to have a good look at themselves and call it quits.

Shame about Greenwood going to Wigan, a young, quality, experienced back rower is exactly what this team needs.

Wonder who we will get, if anyone?

He hasn't got a game for the ever-poor Titans this year. A bit surprised with that TBH, as he's good ball in hand, but his lateral defence was poor.

So he would’ve fit right in then?

NRL halfbacks were targeting him a bit last year. I can't think why else he hasn't played this year as he was one of their most effective attacking forwards.

Am I right in thinking JJB, Ablett, Delaney and Ferres are all out of contract this season? If so we aren't going to let all 4 go. Maybe 2 of them and move Cam Smith up and sign one.

I know I am in a minority here, as I have trumpeted him from a young age, although I have also stated when needed he hasn't moved on, but I think regardless of injuries or how many back, Cam Smith needs to be starting looseforward for the rest of the season. He looks totally ready, and he needs the platform to show whether he has it or not, then we can make a better decision on him. We need to stop holding him back now, and let him prove himself.

I agree I think Cam Smith is ready and has looked better each time I've seen him, it may have been a blessing in disguise that he's getting more minutes this year than planned due to the injuries, same for Oledski.

just awaiting for Ablett, JJB, Hall and Moon to re-sign, then the 2019 season is looking very good. NOT

I agree regarding Cam Smith. He's not going to improve anymore by playing 19s so therefore needs an opportunity to play Super League now.

He done well when he had chance but there is plenty more to come from him especially as a ball handler.

They need to play him at loose, and let him handle the ball, rather than just a crash and bang and stand up the tackling.

Yes what a disaster if we resign the current England winger and current SL top meter maker and the current holder of Leeds player of the year.

Hall I agree - definitely want him to stay. Moon at stand off isn't working very well though is it? If he wants to stay at 6 I wouldn't be that fussed if he left TBH.

As for JJB and Ablett, if you add Delaney and Ferres do you really think its a good idea to go into next year with all of them rather than at least one of them going and replaced by somebody at least physically fit? If we retain all 4 of them then this time next year we'll probably have the oldest pack we've ever had, at a time when athleticism and fitness are increasingly important in the sport. Thats a recipe for players missing games through injuries, playing half fit and generally contributing less than possibly less talented but physically able forwards.

The first 3 are out of contract. Ferres Has a deal to 2019.
I think there is a decent chance at least 2 will go. With possibly 1 staying a year and Ferres off contract next year, I think we should be looking to sign 2 new forwards for 2019 or possibly 1 with a group of young forwards given deals. Smith will get plenty of game time the way injuries hit these days.
Hall and Moon are the other 2 key ones which can impact the salary cap.

I don't think any of JJB, Ablett or Delaney offer us enough when fully fit to retain, even on the basis that each isn't going to realistically feature in more than 50% of games in a season.

On balance Ferres is looking like a bit of a Richie Eyres in his Leeds days... But let's see if he's able to turn his form around after his long spell of injury before writing him off for good.

if he was as good s Richie eyres i would be happy, he is currently no even as good as Ian Scott from working-ton town.

poor resigning this for me, offers very littler in attack and suspect defense and under high ball. done nothing since those 5 trys at wembley and not lived up to his potential, when we signed him he was probably second best winger in game behind hall, not even a top 10 winger now. thought we needed to show some ambition not reward mediocrity.

And just who would your replacement be?

Come on Christopher, why do people always trot out that line? There is what 100-120 purely wingers around the globe that you could just offer as names. Why do people seem to think that players in the Leeds team are irreplaceable for some reason? How do other clubs replace theirs?

exactly, he is a big earner and was a big prestige signing who has not delivered the goods and has been a poor value signing. what about ryan shaw from hull kr, scores trys decent but not spectacular player and a noted goal kicker, bet we could pay him 60% what we pay Briscoe and get a better/good as player. or give Newman a season on the wing to break him into first team.

I trotted out that line, because its alright saying get rid but he has to be replaced, who's available? and even if they are available would they come to Leeds. The only people trotting out lines are the people that just say get rid they're past it, a bit like Sal with Peacock in 2011 when he trotted that line out



i don't think players are irreplaceable but if you do get rid they do have to be replaced.

Edited to add, the wingers are not our priority are they and Briscoe has actually been playing well after his challenge cup debacle last year. How do we know what deal he has taken it could be a vastly reduced contract for all we know.