Capable of what? He was average at best.

He was better than others on show. He played above his size.

He really didnt ,easily put down & tackled just the same certainly no better than Ward or Cam Smith.
You rightly question L.Suttcliffe after so many games in SL Donaldson is a specialist BR & no better.

Well I disagree, and stick by what I put. He was far far better than JJB for example, who played the same role.

Donaldson main asset is his defence and workrate. He’s got good technique so can bring down bigger men than him quite easily. It’s in attack where his lack of size is a handicap. If there’s a good balance in the backrow he’ll do ok. If he’s one of your better backrowers then it says more about the overall lack of quality in the side. Merrin is obviously the lynchpin of the backrow. If Ward can stay fit then things look decent. I still think you’re lacking something there and obviously in the front row until the kids start to come through.

The big challenge for Leeds in 2019 is to win the battle up front. Also the loss of Hall takes a fair bit of go forward out of the back three which is another factor when you’re struggling in the middle.

I think it’ll be another tough season but marginally better for the change of coach and the additions of Merrin and Hurrell.

I agree, it's a no from me. Thought ward was a bit quiet but made more impact going forward. Was very impressed with Smith. Just don't see a place or need for Donaldson.

Fair do's to the club for having a look though. Nothing lost on this one.

Of the pack, what did we think of Peteru’s contribution? I thought he was good, always looking to turn and offload - something that now seems to lacking from Cuthbertson’s game. A wasted talent in FR....
I think Peteru will get a lot from this season if he can keep injury free.
It is interesting a number of comments have criticised our pack size but in comparison to Wakey’s giants we did better. If DF can improve Mullally’s technique, he’ll get back the raves from a couple of seasons ago.

Personally I thought Peteru was poor in contact and Wakey drove him back several times he did however pop a couple of nice offloads away but i think he was running soft thinking about offloading rather than the collision. You need forwards who can offload its a big part if the modern game but you need to be going forward in contact and then offloading to create momentum.

I thought Mikolaj was soft in contact also in few minutes he got. But I truth it was a Mickey Mouse friendly and you literally can't judge anything from it.

It was 2 very under prepared teams with very little to offer who will both be a lot better next time they play each other.

Firstly, it's clear we did not see him at his best last season, injured on debut? Came back got injured again and then came into a side low on confidence. Add to that he had just moved halfway round the world anybody judging him on last season is being harsh.

On boxing Day he took the ball up well, took 2 or 3 to get him down and got a number of controlled off loads away (take note cuthbo - controlled off loads). If he can stay fit he will be an asset.

Not convinced by the Pole yet. Hes big for his age, though he looked to have trimmed down a bit but makes a lot of mistakes. Early days for him though. We need to use him sensibly.

Cuthbo isn't a front rower but he tries his heart out. Better in the back 3 but may struggle for gametime there this season.

Mullally. Ah mullally mullally mullally. Could be so useful and shows glimpses of what could be but just doesn't make enough impact consistently enough. Out of contract at the end of the year I think so needs a big year to warrant staying.

I’m still hoping for another first grade quality prop before the season proper starts. I’ll reserve judgement on the pack until I’ve seen a few games but without more go-forward it could be another frustrating year...

Me too.its the difference between us being a play off contender and scrapping for 6th 7th and 8th which is where i feel we are at right now.

I still wouldn't rule out Ikahihifo joining us for 2019

IIRC we’ve kept a squad number free haven’t we? Which would indicate we’re hopeful of a signing either pre or mid season.

Or they could give it to Donaldson.

Exactly what would make our squad for 2019 if it were to happen. Seems a lot is happening with him and he’s besn given a low number at Huddersfield so he will be on the outer. Been rumoured to castleford and to Hull FC too.

Out of the rumoued not wanted brigade, mullally seems pretty determined to win himself back into favour, cannot fault his attitude and sure the coaching staff have taken note and may have earned him some brownie points. But the coaching staff may just want rid regardless of any improvements.
Walters, well he won’t jump ship and why would he, full time contract or at best part time championship contract.
Ormanroyd, not sure he is even a professional standard player, league one standard at best. Cannot blame the later two for sitting tight on their contracts as they ate unlikely to ever get another full time contract and its a career outside RL after this expires, and a fulltime regular job.

Think Walters knows he'll be part time soon, that's why he's a barber these days.

Can't see any other way than going with what we've got. If we had cap space we'd have used it by now. There's a slim chance of freeing some up mid-season - though I wouldn't bet on it - and in any case, who'd be off-loading quality players then?

Players in other teams get injured then they look at cheap fill in options like Mullally walters, thats the only way we will offliad deadwoid mud season.

Cannot run a good line, hope he can cut one otherwise that won’t last either.

Unless Toronto come calling i can't see Ormandroyd or Walters leaving.
Mullalley will want to stay in the area now that he has his own business in North Lane.

I still believe that Ormondroyd may end up at York. They are still recruiting for 2019 and looking at loan deals, including loan deals for the England academy youngsters.

Won't free up much cap though. I guess the prospect of signing another quality player depends upon how underspent we are. I reckon not by much, in which case getting rid of the likes of Ormondroyd and Walters in isolation won't bring in enough to set any wheels in motion. Of those on the alleged list, our best chance was to move on Ash Golding though personally I'm happy enough for him to stay.

I'd gladly let Golding go if it meant bringing in a top prop

I would prefer it if we let Sutcliffe go ahead of Golding