Ferres is out with a knee injury according to website. I thought Ferres did well in defence last week, played 80 minutes and got off the line well to meet their big men first. One mandatory dumbass penalty for giving a facial plus the tired high tackle. He seems to go to ground as soon as makes contact on attack. I'm no fan but think we will miss his size.
The only thing I can think regarding smith, is he is on the small side and has been getting carried over the line for tries a few times recently. Anyone know what is up with mullally, again the pack/bench looks lightweight. Hope Parcell can play

Dom Crosby confirmed

Don't really know much about him but an extra big man will surely help, and I would imagine he'll be wanting to impress to make the deal permenant

Think the lad has already agreed a deal elsewhere for next season. Unless of course that is somewhere that could be got out of.

The lad needs a break really. He was a damn good player at Wigan, but his personal issues that hit him, which you wouldn't wish on anyone, was the reason Wire didn't end up a success.

He’s signed for HKR for next season I believe. Think he will be a decent acquisition and I have him replacing Walters in the 19.

Hes a decent player. Should offer us some much needed grunt up front for the rest of the season.

Hes done well to come back from that vicious assault sustained earlier in the season Vs Hull FC

I hope that last statement was a just a tongue in cheek, and you have no knowledge of the personal issue the player went through previously.

It’s a light hearted reference to the Liam watts slow motion head butt.

I know, hence asking if tongue in cheek. But it was in response to my post about his issues.

Firmly tongue in cheek RE the Watts incident and no way in reference to your comment about his extremely sad & personal issues of which I and Im sure the wider RL fanbase are aware of.

I have children and wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy!

Ward misses out with another concussion.

Ward does seem to miss a hell of a lot of games.

Could be that he keeps rushing back and not recovering 100% this has had a cumulative effect over time?

I saw 2. Both stupid.

As talented as Wardy could be, I’d honestly get rid now. Another waste of a wage. I know I’ll pribably get bashed for this, but Leeds are not a charity.

I was out in The Crown Casino after the WCC, and he wouldn’t entertain anyone. We didn’t want a medal, but a quick chat after travelling 10,000 miles to watch the team play wouldn’t have gone a miss. Changed my view on him that night unfortunately.

The club need to be ruthless going forward with players that are always injured. We've carried them for too long now and the squad isn't strong enough to cope.

Yes, they do. But they shouldn't be stupid either. Letting Ward go, would be stupidity to the extreme.

no but when his contract is up i would but play then pay clause in it. he is bad value for us at the moment.

We have had no different from JJB for years, and he has never been as talented as Ward. I think the change of view is that he doesn't have team mates hiding it for him like we had in previous years.

I think you're being unfair on both counts there.

McGuire was frequently criticised for being a 'biscuit bones' by some members of this forum but he repaid the club's faith in him in fine style last year. JJB has already been mentioned. Watkins struggled a bit with injury early in his career and is in trouble again now. Do you want to get rid of him too? It's unfortunate that there is extra pressure on someone like Ward to be fit right now. His participation in last year's GF suggests he was so frustrated/depressed about missing out that he was willing to play injured if needed - I hope he's not doing that now - hopefully the coaching staff have the foresight to stop him.

I can't comment on the specifics of what happened while at the WCC, but it doesn't sound like Ward disgraced himself either. He strikes me as being a private person who has struggled with his demons in recent years; is it fair to expect all the players to be the life and soul of the party while with fans?

I never said he had to be the life and soul of the party, but when you spend a good whack of hard earned cash, following the club to the other side of the world, a couple of minutes chatting to the fans wouldn’t have harmed would it? Watkins actually came over to our table and thanked us for making the trip, and fetched a few others over for a chat. It’s a good job Eric Perez was in higher spirits, buying everyone a drink!

Judging by the WhatsApp message Hall is starting at left centre with Luke Briscoe on the wing, Dwyer starting at hooker with Parcell on the bench and Sutcliffe in the second row. A glimpse of the future perhaps...?

Ward isn't big enough to play the game in the way he does. He'll continue to get hurt until he scales down on the brawn and uses the brain a little more.

Correct. He should be used as an extra pair of hands at loose.

I suspect McDermott turned him into a crash, bang, wallop backrower, as he’s literally a tackling machine.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t he a very good 6 in his academy days too?