Can't fault his attitude but he wouldn't make my 17 if all fit. I would use him as squad player. I would not want him blocking the progress of Walters.

New signings are only Lino, Battye and Senior for Wakefield. Though there’s been significant back room investment in Last and Poching and a new nutritionist/physio. Though I only saw the one game against Dewsbury the main thing I noticed is that some players looked fitter than they ever have past seasons.

With potentially a few missing for both it’s a tough one to call this and I’ve got it as a 50/50.

Looking forward to the game. It’s been far too long.

Yeah squad man is fine. We seem to have wrotten luck with injuries, so he'll be on bench most weeks if he can stay fit....
Agree would love to see Walters kick on, but the young lads could learn alot from Donaldsons professionalism.....

Donaldson has proven to be a decent signing in my opinion and I'm sure he'll play his part this season.If everyone is fit I dont see how he gets in the 17 though.If the bench needs a loose/prop then it has to be thompson.

No point in talking in 'if everyones fit' terms as it never happens at our club...!

Fair point mate, and even if everyone is fit, agar and sinfield seem to rate him highly ( I expect him to be in the 17 more often than not).For me, though there too many better overall players who can do his job.

The logic is really simple.
He’s not one of the best 17 players at the club.

Yeh, he’s a very handy squad player.
But in terms of back row, Martin, Mellor, Thompson, King and Smith are all ahead of him.
But the important one is Walters.
The next 2-3 years are really important in his development. He needs to be playing.
If Donaldson is getting game time ahead of him, he could start looking at the clubs closer to home....

it would be a travesty if Walters development was halted by playing Donaldson week in week out.

I'm sure agar and Shinfield will be doing the best for Walters development. Hope they play him without burning him out. Don't need him to burn out or become another stevie ward

Having seen Walters play against the Aussies I felt then he was going to be a cracking prospect.
Walters needs to improve his defence before he gets ahead of Donaldson.
But give him time and he will get there hopefully this season.

Burning him out he's hardly played in the last 12 months. He is 20 years of age what he needs now is games at SL level.

I genuinely see Donaldson being in the 17 i think Sir Kev and Agar rate him higher than people seem to think.

Hes best defender in the club, has great attitude and is a team player. That said he makes no ground at all. I expect him to make the bench next Weekend.

Dont think he would make my team but he will be in above Walters, Holroyd and King V.

Agree. Just hope they don't give him big minutes week in week out. A few big weeks followed by a week off etc

Agree on walters and king but holroyd and dwyer will pick themselves when fit. I cant see us not going with a hooker and holroyd is probably our biggest impact player.

He'not going to get big minutes Martin generally plays the full 80 and Mellor plays around the 60 minutes. I agree with other posters Donaldson will play before Walters. If Mellor is injured I hope Agar replaces him with Walters and continues to use Donaldson as a bench man.

I know, i'm arguing that that is stupid.

Not missing any point unlike yourself, but as is human nature there will always be some who go against the obvious and you appear one. Enjoy winning the argument with yourself, I'll move on.

OK hun.
You were complaining a Wakefield away game was being taken away from them, at the expense of one of their biggest crowds of the year. Sorry for correcting you by pointing out all the loop games were being played at neutral venues.

New contract for Donaldson. People still adamant he wont make the matchday 17?

Stand back for the , “he’s blocking this n that players progress” comments

For me with everyone fit he wouldnt. I also think if we're going to build a squad capable of
Top 2 & GF's he would be a bit part player at best.
He grafts & has some impact off the bench but as we have seen previously when we go against the bigger & better packs he is too lightweight.

If he can instil some of his attitude and work rate into them he will be doing the opposite of blocking their progress

Bang on Christopher. His attitude and experience is a great benefit to the young players and that should never be underestimated

He’s a very handy squad player. Exactly the type you need.
And clearly very professional. So, it’s a good signing.
But you need a lot more than 17 in the squad.
I don’t believe he’s in the first 17, but he’s valuable back up.