excluding Sinfield, possibly, i hope he is a bigger fitter younger version of Marc Glanville. A real no nonsense grafter will a bit of skill and some extra oomph, that ill do for me.

The key for me is the team having the nous to take advantage of the opportunities Merrin could create. I'd like to see Tui, Myler, Parcell, Walker getting in around our forwards and taking some second phase. In theory we have a pack made for handling and multi-phase. What doesn't work is giving the ball to your individual star player/s and then saying "off you go then, do something".

What doesn't work is giving the ball to your individual star player/s and then saying "off you go then, do something".'"

he had a coaching manual???

To be fair McD did get quite a lot right during his tenure...
If Holroyd, Dupree and Mustapha were another year or two older I'd be feeling much more cocky but we're lacking big angry things.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nr ... e240dc8820

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nr ... e240dc8820

Yep well said Trent. Good to hear

Clear the decks.

Sure Segeyaro said same. I expect him to see season out but I would be surprised if he's at Leeds next season.

He's a good forward but I don't see him sticking around beyond 12 months.

If he is going to go at the end of the season fair enough for me. Just hope he has the decency to tell the club of his intentions before the summer and give us a chance to find a half decent replacement. Our biggest issue last few years has been not being able to identify the right players early enough and by the time we do start looking about the best players are gone and we are picking up scraps.

Stevie Wonder could have identified the weaknesses early enough, the CEO however...…..

I’ve said before but I don’t think 4-year marquee contracts are sensible. I like Merrin but he’s not the kind of x-factor in the forwards (or the minutes) that Hurrell can be in the backs.

But he confirmed tonight that we're better when he's on the pitch, and if he is now settling in he can be a real positive for the time he's here.

Agree with that. But to entice these kinds of players from NRL who are circa 30 years old this is the kind of deal that has to be offered.

Yep and I suppose if it’s really not working out before the 4 years, we know contracts aren’t always seen through... it is s risk though.
Good to hear his comments post-match. Leeds is a great club if you can get your head around it all.

Absolutely. I'm pretty sure that two if not all three of the second half tries from Cas came when Merrin was off the field.

If we keep him he could well be the player that comes closest as a like for like replacement for JP. Immense work-rate in attack and defence, and if Walker learns to follow his offload like McGuire used to do with Peacock, he could be in for quite a few more line-breaks and tries in the rest of the season.

Immense performance last night from Merrin, that's what we paid big money for, and good to see him celebrating the pulling the badge on the shirt after he scored, think he was trying to show/prove his commitment. showed good hands at 13 as well thats were he needs to be, Cameron Smith and anybody except Ferres in second row now for me.

Yep. Cam Smith will be 13 in due course but 2nd row for now alongside Ward will do me, with a high-impact bopper interchange.

I do like Merrin, if we get a few more wins together I think he’ll glue in nicely. It’s a big upheaval to come over when he would have been expecting to remain in NRL.

I would make Merrin the on field captain as Watkins is not the man for the job and until he regains fitness and form is not certain to retain his place.

Agreed.

Completely agree

Agreed

Well Watkins was made captain really because there was no obvious leader in the team. I agree with the above we now have one in Merrin that would be a good move imo.

No he wasn’t. Ward was a better fit at that time. Watkins was given it because of the depression issues and the club trying to show support for him. Don’t agree with it, but still understand the club thoughts.

I’m not sure whether it was partly to help tie Kal up to the club at the time when he’s one of the best centres in the world and we have NRL clubs sniffing.