Maybe in your head Ward was yes but he wasn't a stand out and he always had the fitness issue holding him back, still has.

In the head of plenty others at the time if you look back at the posts. Either way Watkins wasn’t based on normal criteria, and was wrong for the role. Like I said though, I understand the clubs thoughts.

Ward would've been a good choice, and still could be in the future, but he simply doesn't play enough games

But you said Watkins got the gig because of his mental health issues. If anything Stevie Ward who had similar issues and started a support group on the back of that would have had an equal claim if indeed the club was giving the captaincy away on a charity basis.

I think you will find those issues were very much different.

Really? I thought both had mental health issues.

Anyway, i agree with charlie; Ward would be long term a great Leeds captain that has always been obvious but the injuries have always been there and still are.big shame

Making merrin captain is fine with me but the idea that Watkins position in the team is under threat is the biggest load of tripe I have ever heard. He is the only player we have in the ball park of being world class

Merrin can be and is a leader without the title of captain.

But expected back by end of week.

Sadly, a family bereavement, and you won't need him v Workington, so thought they would have given him a little more time.

I cant see him being back so quick given the nature of the terrible event. All the best to Trents girlfriend and her family.

Terrible news.

The Mole saying he's not coming back. Which is what I already convinced mesen of.

Never wanted to come in first place.

I’m sorry to hear he has had a family bereavement.

Merrin has been our best forward by some distance, but he can’t win games on his own. If the rumours that he’s leaving are true we are in big trouble.

I wouldn't be surprised either. Whilst he may not have been making contact, I'll be surprised if NRL sides haven't approached him, particularly St George due to the de Bellin issues and the fact that he played for them before.

On the plus side, if it does happen it might shut some of the dressing room issues down if what has been said is correct (although I've no sympathy with many of our squad if they think they should earn more....), and potentially enable us to target the sort of players we need in the shorter term. Who that may be I have absolutely no idea.

Agreed, if any of our squad think they deserve to be paid equally to Hurrell or Merrin, they should be shipped out as soon as possible . Most of them are lucky to have a superleague contract on the last 18 month performances

I don't know what rumours these are or if there's any truth to them, but players generally are not going to take kindly to others coming in on big money if they don't feel they are worth it compared to them - that's just natural. I would not be at all surprised if Merrin remained in Aus. Then again, what he's been saying personally it at odds with the media, so it's anyone's guess.

Personally I think its a bit disrespectful from journalists to be speculating (the mole has just rehashed comments made a while ago) when he gas returned because his partners mum has passed away.

Schoey never. Liked anyone getting near what he was on. Apart form Hanley

Well, we'll know in a week's time, one way or another.

Although he doesn't do the eye-catching stuff like Hurrell, I think he's been a good addition (potentially a great one) and his contributions so far have been high quality. He's clearly our best forward by some distance at the moment (especially when he's not played at prop).

I get the sense that Merrin doesn't want to be seen as a quitter. He has a contract with Leeds, and I'd be surprised if he messes the club around given its dire need at the moment. I don't know anything of the personal circumstances, but it shouldn't automatically mean the end of his Leeds career if he is committed to Leeds, even if he does need more time off.

Lets give the lad a break, family comes first and his girl will want to be around her family now her Mum has died. If he is a bloke of substance he will want to be with her and support her. If that means he stays in OZ then he has my respect.

Absolutely. The NRL media spinners are in full force trying to engineer a return.

Very poor taste from Moley IMO. Click bait article that's latching on to a horrible situation.

Merrin should take as long as he & his family needs. I'm sure Leeds will support him in that.
FWIW I reckon he's the type to stick to a commitment and will be back in due course.

Never wanted to come here, doubt we will ever see him again.

I doubt it too, but not for the reasons you stated. I don't think that was ever true, and you can not hold it against the lad for circumstances outside his control. From what I understand his girlfriend left earlier than him, as he put the team first to play on Thursday night, then immediately went back to Aus. That is not somebody who doesn't want to be here.