I'm still not convinced Walker will play in the first team too often next season. I think the club will be very careful with him and he'll play mostly in the reserves.
Myler has been great, but I think Austin could be even better in that position. If he'd have come through a few years later, he'd probably have been a FB anyway.

I'd say the initial intention is a 6/7 combination with Sezer and Austin. Having effectively an NRL first grade half back combination (admittedly maybe not on current form) is a rare treat for a SL club.

If Walker doesn't make it, and Myler is injured or whatever, at least in Austin we have a credible cover. The only other worthwhile options we have are L Sutcliffe and Broadbent, who I'd much rather see develop at centre/wing.

Austin will get game time for sure next year. The other thing is that this signing helps with our pre-season prep. It gives us more skill, more for Sean Long to work with, and more options to play with. Contrast that with this recent pre-season where we didn't have a fit half back throughout pretty much.

It's also a sign of how far the club has come. Other clubs and players can see Leeds is on the rise again now, it's a club people want to join again. That in itself makes us more dangerous as we can attract better quality players (and juniors) without having to pay ransoms because we're a basket case.

:: If Walker's operation has been successful then there is no reason why Walker shouldn't be pushing for the number 1 spot.

Very good signing for me.
We all said we needed a running 6 to complement the organising 7.
And we were all a bit perplexed when the club signed Sezer, as we already had Gale.
Sezer and Austin makes perfect sense and I think it signals the end for Gale.
He may well sit out the year at Leeds, but given his average performances and ridiculous suspensions, he will be third choice.
I think we retain Martin and release Hurrell.
A new prop depends on what we do with King.
We do need a winger, but both Briscoes have done OK lately (other than the odd Tom brain fart).
Club might leave that until next year.
Also, Myler has been a revelation at FB, so no urgency for that. We can ease Walker back in and keep using Myler there.
Bentley, Sezer, Austin and most importantly Prior is very good business so far.

Can't think of a year in recent memory that our recruitment has been anywhere near this good.

I think you're probably right. Given the roster, I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't open to him finding first team rugby elsewhere if he can get fit

McLelland is not even in the equation, he’s gone simply not good enough.

I don’t rate Austin show pony nothing more, but agree he maybe a great fit with Sezar and Myler at full back, and also like to see Cameron Smith move to a more out an out ball playing 13.

Gale can fight for a place, up his game, or I suspect will take his bat n ball home and move on.

Unsurprising,does put a question over Gale tho abit.

Me neither. Not been this excited for new signings since we signed Lauatiti

Myler
Briscoe, Newman, Sutcliffe, Handley
Sezer, Austin
Mik, Leeming, Prior
Mellor, Bentley
Smith

Johnson
Holroyd
Vuniyayawa
Tetevano

Could be something like our first 17 next year and with Gale, Walker, Gannon, Walters, O’Connor, Edwards, Dwyer, Donaldson, Broadbent, Tindall and some others in reserve, that’s not a terrible option.

I can see both Hurrell and Martin leaving looking at that.

Doesnt Austin signing confirm one of Hurrell or Martin isn't staying?

I think the club will offer Martin a deal.

If the cap allows i think Martin will be offered a deal. I think he has been pretty consistent last few weeks since he got over the after effects of Covid. He is also the best goal kicker in the league which is a bonus

Personally I’d let King go. If you’re taking an overseas spot you need to be a better player imo but it may come down to money and that could mean Hurrell going.

It is what it is but the club seems to be playing hardball with the three OS players - agree to our offered terms or off you go. I imagine both Hurrell and Martin might be on inflated contracts based on where Leeds are now, and based on form.

I think King might want to try get a starting spot somewhere from an interview I read, which may mean he goes and Martin and Hurrell stay on reduced terms.

Personally the player id like to see go is Thompson but unfortunately he’s still in contract

I think Martin would be the biggest loss overall if he left. If he sad to see Hurrell go, because he is a genuine weapon, but I think he's so hot and cold that he doesn't positively impact us enough overall. Martin is an 80min player and grafts all day long, and his goal kicking can be the difference in tight games

I'm still annoyed we sacrificed a quota spot for 3 years in order to grab a bargain basement back row/middle cover. Thompson does have some quality but it was a crazy decision and he (predictably) hasn't contributed too much.

To some extent it doesn't really matter which of the three we retain, because we do have cover across the park now - or we could use salary released to try to balance the squad a bit more (e.g. winger).

Interesting times. Dressing room dynamics and players' training discipline will come into play in these decisions too. All we see is the end result.

King plays in a position where we are short so if he goes he needs to be replaced. Personally I would like to add another prop so that would mean probably releasing both Martin and Hurrell

True but he maybe doesn't need to be replaced with an OS player

The whole half back conundrum will be interesting but I think they'll probably name Austin at 13 a fair amount and basically give him a roaming role and just let him run/do what he does best. It's a crude comparison but similar to what they've asked L Briscoe to do a couple of times- go out play in the middle and make a nuisance of yourself and make your tackles.

That said, I can't think of any game this year we've had our first choice 1,6,7 available for whatever reason so chances are he'll end up playing half more than he does anywhere else.

Retention wise, I have a feeling it'll be Martin that departs. Can't be a lot of wriggle room on the cap which might see King stay and I suspect Hurrell will be offered reduced terms for a couple of years. Suppose it depends what other offers they both have on the table- both would likely get a first team spot in SL and I think Hurrell played RU at the start of his career so maybe that's an option for him too.

I think what happens with the SL next year will also have an impact, if it goes to 14 teams there will be a few teams quite happy to throw big contracts at players like Hurrell and Martin (and even maybe King) to try and stay in that top 10 for 2023

Think people are pleased because Austin is still a big name.
If you look at his performances for Wire though he’s been very disappointing. Seemed more interested in his trainer collection than proving himself on the pitch.
But blank canvas now so let’s see, but don’t think it’s wise to get too excited about this signing yet.
Also if it means we loose Martin or Hurrell it may be a double edged sword.
Austin has the ability to come good, but won’t be easy after his spell at Wire....

We do have a habit of signing names rather than form I have to say.

Probably boils down to our confidence/over-confidence that the Leeds infrastructure magically transforms all players from other clubs into better players. The truth is that other clubs also have good, professional set-ups and good coaching - even if Leeds is probably the gold standard in some things.

You see the quote time and again "... in our environment..". Anyway, I still quite like this signing on balance because Austin brings in something we lack. I'd like a bit more scorchio pace out wide and enough cover in the front row, and then I'm a relatively happy bunny.

you'll need someone else to do his tackling then, cos he doesn't like getting stuck in, despite being a pretty big guy for a halfback, he shirks the work.

Hurrell has been dire this season.He has had only one good game against a very poor Cas side.Martin if he isnt retained may count himself unlucky but we have loads of back rowers.