Our squad most certainly does not have enough depth, especially in the pack. We are effectively running with a first team squad of 24 (including McShane but excluding Eastwood) when we used 31 players last season. Within that 24 we are well covered in some positions - 3 full backs and 3 hookers - but light in others such as front/second row. Last season we had ten first-team players to cover prop and second row (Leuluai, Bailey, Scruton, Burgess, Peacock, JJB, Ellis, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett). So, in the Grand Final we could have a big, four-forwards bench, plus Ablett in the centres and still leave out Burgess. From those ten we've lost Scruton and Ellis and replaced them with Buderus (who doesn't cover those positions) and Eastwood (who hasn't arrived/isn't coming) leaving us with 8 players to cover 7 positions in the team (2 props, 2 second rowers, 3 on the bench along with an interchange hooker). If more than one of those is missing then we are short. Bear in mind that Ablett has been called on to play centre sometimes, Sinfield covers the half backs meaning a second rower has to play loose forward in his place, and it's no surprise that our squad's depth has been tested so far and, at times, our bench has been rather light. The club obviously thought/still think we need another forward or we wouldn't have gone in for Eastwood in the first place. I think that without another forward or a big slice of luck with injuries we could struggle at times.

During the Bulldogs v Manly yesterday game it said that Eastwood had signed for the Bulldogs.

As I said on page 18 but no one has commented/picked up on it.

Maybe no one cares and had already resigned themselves to the fact we will not see him in a Rhinos shirt

I saw it when both you and RG posted it but there is nothing on the bulldogs site nor any other nrl news site!!
The last update said the warriors were favourites to sign him anyway after he'd met ivan cleary so until the rhino's,eastwood or any nrl club make an official statement then there's no point speculating really.

do we really need him this season?

What, and ruin the whole point of the board

When people want to quote others, it really is pish poor trolling when they dont quote the full post. You only look silly when trying to look big when you miss things like this.




If you had have come back with somesomthing on that, then I would have accepted your comment.

Time to end this saga and move on.

Latest update www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/l ... 5074003.jp I see the yep has picked up on the smithy rumour!!! I hope we can tie kylie to a new deal though.

Latest update www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/l ... 5074003.jp I see the yep has picked up on the smithy rumour!!! I hope we can tie kylie to a new deal though.

I now think Smith will go but we will sign a replacement. Maybe thats why it is taking a bit longer to announce? As for Kylie he is getting older but is a quality player, but would still rather have him!

Let's see how long it will take Rogues Gallery to decide having Kylie Leuluai at the JJB will be a brilliant move. He didn't want him last week.

As the season runs on and people pick up injuries I think you'll see more of Dane Manning coming into the first team squad - bags of potential once he adapts to the pro game.

He's no Fekka that is for sure.

Good call mate i really like the look of young manning and i'd expect liam brown to get a run out aswell.

BTW, speaking of Rogues Gallery I thought you might enjoy this pearl of wisdom he left on the Saints forum. It made me chuckle.

[url=http://viewtopic.php?t=399681&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15It's sooooooooooooo unfair[/url

Stupid boy.

Me must sign someone from the NRL. How dare you suggest giving this lad a taste of 1st team action?

Will he keep Sam Burgess out after he arrives?

Touche.

Oh, you were being serious. I actually thought it was a plant so I gave it a wide berth.



Reminds me of the day Arthur Bunting claimed Leeds didn't score a point in their 15 point to 7 win over Hull.

Exactly whats the point in using young players? Sign experienced Aussies who will give quick success! Take wigan and Warrington for example look how well they are doing by signing overated Aussies!

Because not all young players will make the grade or are ready for week in week out 1st grade competition at any given point and that is why most teams go for a mix between experience and youth rather than all one or all the other.

Why does the current Leeds squad contain Buderus, Lauitiiti, Leuluai, Donald, Webb and Eastwood when all those positions could be filled with 18 year olds?

Well after all this Waffle and fannying about: What is the very latest on Eastwood as of today?

The latest is: he speaks to Brian McClennan everyday while the appeal could take four months to hear so Eastwood is likely to take up a one year deal in Aus and Leeds will perhaps try again with him for 2010.

Sounds like the worst of all worlds to me.

many thanks tvoc