Even if we don't sign another prop for 2015 I'd rather see the likes of Singleton, Mulhern, Baldwinson etc being used in the 4th prop spot than either Kirke or Bailey, who, whilst I value their overall contribution over the years, have been poor for at least a couple of seasons.

Looking simply at 2015, I think the addition of Cuthbertson and a year further developed Singleton, Mulhern etc more than makes up for the loss of Kirke & Bailey.

As I've said before, my concern is for 2016 onwards when we lose Peacock & Leuluai.

Due to the age of many of our players, we all know there's going to have to be a major revamp of our squad in the next few years. I actually think whether intentional or not it's probably the perfect time to blood some youth to see who's good enough. Yes, now relegation is back, 4 teams are in danger, but realistically there aren't enough quality sides in the Championship to threaten our participation in Superleague in 2016.

Around 5 seasons ago Huddersfield went down the youth route and following that scavenged Crusaders and Wakefield's best players when they were in trouble, and a couple from London last season. I thought they had the best squad at the start of last season.

I think Shaun is the best coach. I'm delighted we won the cup last season, but I don't see why McDermott needed to prioritise it to the extent that he did. I mean Rugby League players bar Easter only play once a week. Leeds would've won the league leaders shield if they'd beaten the bottom two sides where we rested players and not blown a big lead in the last game at Hull FC. This would then have put us in a better position to have competed for a Grand Final spot. Of course you generally need to be carrying good form, but we had it prior to the Bradford game.

Wane

I think I am in the minority but I feel fairly positive about how we have handled the pack so far. Shedding kirke and bailey who offer not a great deal is a good move. We have added cuthbertson who is a upgrade on both of them. We have singleton, Mulhern (who IMO looks ready at this level) and baldwinson as the young pups with first team chances.
Personally missing out on mossop is no blow he is average and I am hoping with not wasting cap space on him when peacock goes we will be able to shell out a bit more rather than having an average player taking up a large wedge of cap.

This year I would argue without kirke and Bailey the front row is stronger, and hopefully next year we will have a larger chunk to replace peacock with.

Who will be available though and will GH be prepared to shell out on a top player as opposed to a 'project' ?

The Burgess boys and Graham are out of contract end of next year I believe but whether or not they'd want to return to SL there would be a bidding war in the NRL and SL for their services and I don't fancy our chances in that case as we simply cannot compete with the NRL teams financially and we have the Dr whose even prepared to pay a fee for a loan signing so any big name props available you can be sure he'd be in for them throwing his £££ around.

I'm assuming or hoping that GH is planning now for replacements for JP and Kylie in 2016 as if we struggle in the league next year after lack of recruitment this close season there will be an even bigger outcry for big name replacements to be brought in for 2016 and that's just the pack. By 2016 we'll be a big step closer to needing to look at replacing two HB's as well

Interesting couple of years ahead

Does Cuthbertson not count as a decent replacement? There's also 1 squad number still to be filled before the start of the season.

Seems to me like you're only ever happy when you're moaning.

You've got your wish with 2 ageing forwards gone, effectively replaced by an NRL forward in his prime and one of the younger generation who looks set to be a star of the future.

Some people are never happy.

They do, but they take a hammering in games and need a week to recover. IIRC a few studies have said it takes 5 days of modified training to recover from an RL game. They also need to play fewer games in my opinion. FWIW, it's at least part of the reason for McDermott not playing the younger forwards as often as he might.

I agree with most of the rest of your post though.

This is is the way i see it.

Biggest worry is the huge gulf between front line props we have,who are veterans,and the fill in ones.hopefully no big injurys will come about up front or we will be struggling.

ok i give in: i am as happy as a pig in a poke ...best squad ever it is ...can't wait.

Who are you referring to with the statement "one of the younger generation who looks to be a star of the future"? Singleton who was already in the squad last season and not considered to be a better proposition than Bailey OR Kirke? Mulhern who had one appearance? Or Baldwinson who wasn't considered even good enough for the Bulls?

Wonder whether considering Fui Fui Moi Moi or Mitchell Allgood from Paramatta?

Mate, Leeds could go out and buy the NZ forward pack and you'd still be wallowing.....



Singleton, you know - the one you were constantly moaning about Mcdermott not giving enough game time to last season and so what if he was in the squad, he's now higher up in that squad thanks to the departures of Kirke & Bailey, which is what you wanted wasn't it? Who doesn't consider him a better proposition that Bailey? You? You're wrong.

And regarding the others you mentioned, if not them then who exactly is it that you want McDermott to be giving more game time to?

Well done on ignoring Cuthbertson again too

On paper i would agree with you...i liked the look of Mulhern and Baldwinson was meant to be a potential first grade prop. However neither has been given a squad number so that doesn't appear like the club has much faith in either.
i am a great believer in youth given a chance but this is what disappoints and puzzles me. If the club knew Kirke and Bailey were on their way why were Mulhern and especially Singleton not given more opportunities last season instead of now expecting them to step up just that little bit more this coming season? If the club didn't know Kirke and Bailey were going to be dispensed with until the close season then why? Complacency? Resting on their laurels? Bad management?

i really do hope Singleton, Mulhern and Baldwinson make the mark in 2015 and prove McDermott wrong for not having more faith in them last season when he instead preferred the 'deadwood' or selecting one legged JJBs or Delaneys. Maybe now he will have no choice but to select them ...his hand is being forced by lack of foresight and the greater chance of front line props not being available owing to pensionable age reduced levels of fitness/impact. "Putting faith in youth" is a mantra dictated by no other choice.

By default not design it might prove to be a winning formula. I hope it does but i will not be giving any praise to management if it does pay dividends.

Although I agree with most of your sentiment, I believe the "faith in the youngsters" stance is born not from lack of foresight or bad management but from a purely financial stance.

About a decade ago Leeds produced a Championship winning squad by promoting from it's youth system. GH is trying to replicate this as it is by far the cheapest option - no transfer fee, no diva wage demands and for the first season or so you can pay them peanuts.

I do, now our fan base seems unduly upset we aren't filling the squad with the likes of Lee Mossop, Scott Taylor on a one year sabbatical, and Sam bloody Barlow.

I also remember in 2004 us keeping a bit of money behind rather than signing what was available and making some mid-season signing. That seemed to work out pretty well.

Pah! Who cares?

CEO who speaks with forked tongue says it's best squad ever and that's sufficient for all single celled organisms to purchase a season ticket.

Even sheep might reconsider.

Anyhow, job done.

When do the Aussie Schoolboys arrive at Headingley to tear the Rhinos Academy lads a new one?

Think I may attend that.

Yep. Our signings in the past have often been very good.
The likes of Lauitiiti, Ellis, Webb, Peacock, Buderus & Eastwood were top quality players.

I'm struggling to think of many players close to their calibre who've been available in recent years.
Maybe Morley, Clark, Hardaker?

I prefer Baldwinson at Loose Forward. Hopefully we'll get a good look at Mulhern on Boxing Day.

Think he will be a prop eventually, has the frame for it just needs to fill out, still only young

Has everyone forgotten about Yates? Admittedly unproven after last years injuries.
Next season our front row looks ok if:
- peacock and Kylie can carry the bulk of the work for one more year
- cuthburtson settles quickly.
- Singo starts turning his potential into consistent performances.
No doubt it's going to be tough against some of the bigger packs

I'm happy to go south a bit of unknown with the props next season. A good chance for the youngsters to step up and prove themselves. If it doesn't work we will be able to plan for 2016. As a club or first port of call for new players is our juniors and it has served us well over the years. I think this had staked slightly with mcdermotts squad selections and maybe GH is trying to force his hand a bit by getting rid of the easy selection options.

I think we are also forgetting that we could be struggling at half back too this season.
If McGuire continues to go into decline like he has over the past two seasons and Burrow is played as an interchange hooker.
Then it doesn't matter if we signed the Burgess brothers our three quarters won't see any of the ball.
For me a good half back and a pretty decent prop is still required.

Problem is that the planning for 2016 needs to be done now, so that players can be scouted and approached. If we get to July/August and then decisions are made that we need to recruit, we'll be scratching around in the bargain basement for replacements or having to pay over the odds.

Are the management planning for continuity or hoping a new ' golden generation' is going to come from the present young players at the club? Because if we are all concerned now what about 2016 and 2017 ? In the next 2 years we are going to lose JJB ,Sinfield, Burrow,McGuire and by that time Ablett and Delaney will be at the back end too .

The difference for 2016 is that GH won't be scouting for squad props, but one or even two genuine class front-line players. If he isn't already looking now for at least one of those then something's badly wrong.

The captain needs to step his game significantly on what he showed last year - neither half back covered themselves in glory for the most part. One did manage a couple of stellar performances when it really mattered though