i think we should go for him and play 2 hookers, Hood is going to a good player but not this season for me.Also GH did say in the paper if danny b goes a player would be brought in and where still waiting,and for a club the size of leeds and what the season tickets cost not to be spending the full cap is a shame looking at the top 20 players i find it hard to see no more than 8 been on top pay so after 2 wembleys and 5 grand finals where is and has all the money gone or going.

I agree about Farah and we should at least make an enquiry. However it all depends on where GH and Brian McD see as the prioriy position(s) for making a quality signing. The spare money upto the csp limit can only be spent once. They might already have someone in mind and it might not be Farah.

Farah's availability now in doubt, if he was ever really available: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6205903352

Farah's availability now in doubt, if he was ever really available: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6205903352

Quote ="Old Feller"Farah's availability now in doubt, if he was ever really available: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6205903352'" The article does suggest that Wests are trying to arrange a meeting betwen Sheens and Farah to sort things out but it sounds bad and evidently Robbie does not get on with Marshall! However GH knows Sam Ayoub,Farah's manager from the Buderus deal so you never know what might happen.

Quote ="Old Feller"Farah's availability now in doubt, if he was ever really available: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6205903352'" The article does suggest that Wests are trying to arrange a meeting betwen Sheens and Farah to sort things out but it sounds bad and evidently Robbie does not get on with Marshall! However GH knows Sam Ayoub,Farah's manager from the Buderus deal so you never know what might happen.

wasn't mcshane given chances last year and didn't really take them

Correct and there were rumours of a fallout with Brian McD but he now has a 4 year contract.

It's a bit harsh to say he didn't take his chances, hardly looked out of his depth when he did play, and the rumours proved to be just that rumours.

The interesting thing will be how he is played, he is clearly a different style to buderus, I think he did improve fitness last season and should be quite exciting seeing mcshane and hood develop

The problem with Farah - or anyone else when it comes to overseas players blocking kids - is that people talk as though it would only be for a year. It wouldn't. If you sign a good Aussie/Kiwi it will be partly because you're willing to offer a decent length contract. You wouldn't just temporarily block one of McShane/Hood - you could probably be guaranteed to lose one of them.

In any event if you look at the top SL sides, it would appear as though the limits on overseas players are finally biting (or the exchange rate or the potentially increased cap in the NRL or a combination) as those on existing contracts leave. Everyone should start getting used to the idea that SL sides will be finally looking first and foremost to replace players leaving with good young players rather than signing a ready-made nobody from the NRL.

Check the thread title. I wasn't aware the discussion was about any ready made NRL nobody.

Farah fits the criteria of what SL clubs should be seeking to import in to our competition if the chance to do so exists, which I fully appreciate (with an increased cap in the NRL and a depressed pound - if only we were in the Euro) may not be the case anymore.

Can't see us bringing in a hooker now.. not with Mcshane and Hood signed up, it just wouldn't make financial sense.
I'm not 100% certain Mcshane is up to the job (hope i'm proved wrong though) but it's not the point, i'd sooner we strengthen the 3/4's or the back row with a game breaker.

McShane is the new Dean Lawford (have I said that yet). Could cost us dear in 2012...really hope I am wrong. Just like I was about Leeds winning the Championship last year

I think the point he was making was that with the exchange rate we will no longer see players of Buderus or Farah's caliber. All that will be available are nobodies.

Frankly, I am far more intrigued to see Liam Hood play than I am Farah, AN Other import or McShane.

What are you basing that on?

I'd have agreed with Highbury last year but this year up to about May I thought McShane was developing quite nicely.

His performance in the win at Cas - the game in which Peacock made his comeback - was a masterclass of play selection and delivery from dummy half, one pass close to the line to create a try for the winger in particular.

When he's struggled, it's usually been where the pack as a whole has been on the back foot - an away game at Hull KR where he couldn't tackle a three course meal springs to mind.

Aye that stuck in my mind. He was really improving then McDermott decided he needed Burrow from the bench so McShane struggled for game time.

Yeah, what does he know the big lummox!

As it stands McShane is going to have to step up to the mark.

In the absence of a genuine alternative (no idea whether Hood is capable before at least seeing him play 1st grade and wouldn't like to see Sinfield or Jones-Buchanan tied up at dummy half) it's still a position I can see Lee Smith turning his hand to.

Macca was looking pretty good last season but his form & then gametime started to drop-off when he didn't get the contract offer he was after now that's all sorted I think he'll go really well for you this season.

It was an observation about what happened, not a judgment upon it.

Quite agree. I remember when Smith was playing well at FB he regulary came up to acting half back and did well with distribution and quick runs. And he can kick as well.

I still have a question mark over McShane. I am not sure yet of his defensive consistency and is a bit apt to go on his own when a pass if the right move.

Smith might be slower for a winger now, but he'd be bloody quick for a hooker. Still would rather see McShane & Hood get a crack first.

Think it has been proven that Burrow is best from the bench so there's no room for Hood or Smith (presuming McShane starts) there too as an interchange hooker. It will be interesting to see which combinations are used.

Farah - like Buderus before him - would make the choice easier as to who should start.

Do we know if Farah is going to be available?

Based mainly on what I saw of him in 2010 and early in 2011 (although to be fair no-one was pulling up trees in the first part of the season) I guess it's also a hunch based on watching RL for years and years. I genuinely hope it's a 'misread' from me (not unheard of) but I fear I may be right. Oh and I have no agenda other than wanting Leeds to do really well next year!! (for all the season not just the last 8 games)