Even with the gradual recent improvements I hope Smith can be strong enough to make the squad changes needed including not renewing contracts of the overload on squad fillers we have. The likes of Thompson and briscoe still need to move on to get this team back up near the top.

Weve had to rely on the squad fillers due to the injuries and suspensions which has been the issue. You have to have squad men who earn little but are needed once a month but unfortunately weve had to play them weekly.

The form of Prior and Tetevano for example worries me more than Thompson if im honest but we shouldnt be using a quota spot on a 5th/6th choice prop.

Id agree with you there that their form is more a concern. However as we've all noted over this season we have too many squad fillers and not enough quality so it still stands they need to go. Donaldson has earned the squad filler role, others should really be made up of the likes of Gannon at his age and stage and other Academy players. Regardless of squad players needed offering Thompson and briscoe new deals would be standing still. Would you be happy if they were?

I'd argue that a quota spot should be used on a better 4th choice prop as Holroyd isn't there yet.

I wouldnt class Briscoe as a squad filler Seth he will be earning substantially more than that role so obviously needs to be gone when his deal ends.

You cant have quality everywhere in a salary cap sport, we all know that. Our issue is we cant keep people on the field so our back ups are playing far more than you would like them to. When these players play weekly they arent good enough for Leeds but if they are used once a month off the bench to rest somebody they would be fine.

You want your quota players to add quality to a squad not be cheap back ups. Thats my biggest issue with Bodene.

No and I didn't mean Briscoe was a squad filler. The point is both Thompson and briscoe shouldn't be offered new deals and nor should Dwyer. Thompson again as you say takes a quota spot too, so he needs to go a replacement brought in and Holroyd 5th choice. Would you be happy if those 2 were offered new deals considering the lack of quality clearly in the squad?

... Add Alex Mellor to that. Thompsons place taken by Holroyd (quality 4th prop brought in) Mellors place taken by Gannon, Briscoe moved on and possible centre brought in.

Mellor and Thompson have never really delivered, nor has Tetevano who is on much more money. Those three are obvious candidates to leave.

Briscoe though is very different from the other players being mentioned here - he's a senior player with longstanding service who has been very good for us over a long time. He's certainly not "squad filler". He's also in the last year of his contract which incorporated his testimonial and was almost certainly renewed at a lower level than previously. If he actually played on the wing a bit more he might be playing well but forcing him to be a centre is one of the dumbest legacies of the Agar era. It's probably time he moved on after this deal just because we have younger players we need to find slots for in the backline; but Smith might be able to play him more effectively so I'd wait and see on that front.

Prior seems to have hit a wall somehow this year which maybe is just a thing which happens when quality players go on one year too long. I suspect he's carrying an injury the way he is being sparingly used but, if not, I think he's honest enough to call it quits after this season if it's not looking like he can recapture his previous performance levels.

Im fine with having a player of Thompson's standard as a 6th choice prop earning the money i suspect he earns (who knows) and without using a quota spot. The problem isnt Thompson. The problem is Tetevano and Holroyd cant get on the field, Prior looks over the edge, were a prop light in the squad also which means Thompson is playing most weeks and hes not good enough for that.

We had players like Simon Worrall, Liam Botham, Eric Anselme etc who could fill in every now and again. But if they had to play most weeks they wouldnt have been good enough. You have to have those type of players in your squad.

I dont agree with 99 (unusually) i think we probably kept wrong Briscoe really. Tom is finished and has been a while. His wage can be put to much better use.

For whatever reason Mellor hasnt worked out. Both Mellor and Briscoe arent "squad fillers" tho. Mellor wouldve been brought in as a starter and will be on much more than Bodene i would think

Bodene and Donno have been the least of our issues. I would have kept them both if Bo wasn’t a quota player. Think the only definite outs at end of year would be Mellor, T Briscoe, Bo….

Donaldson is just the type of squad player you need.

As an aside I don’t think theres a game this year where he hasn’t won is a penalty for a head high.

We cant let Bodene go....have you seen his Mrs? Well played Bodene lad. Nice young lady lol.

I think we're agreeing on the whole. We know we need squad players but for various reasons Thompson and mellor aren't the right people. We also need a prop and briscoe should be moved on.

The more I see of Donaldson the more I like. I really don't bucket him with some of the others. He tries his heart out and is good value for money.

Seth wrote:
I think we're agreeing on the whole. We know we need squad players but for various reasons Thompson and mellor aren't the right people. We also need a prop and briscoe should be moved on.
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Did you actually go to the game last night?
Quality of rugby was not the best but what do you expect from a scratch team missing so many first choice players!
All of the players that are regularly rubbished on this site stood up to be counted and this included Thompson, Dwyer, Leeming and Donaldson.
Was it the best rugby you have seen? No. However to shut out KR with that team showed tremendous spirit and something to build on going forward when more bodies are back.

We could end up above warrington if we win the next 2 games - they have Cats and Saints

Quick look on their board and they are not happy at all, a season can shift very quickly, really important run of games for us and those around us, thankfully we actually seem to have the momentum and with a new coach coming in, combined with players returning may could be a defining month for us.

How good was it to hear the crowd in full voice last night, best atmosphere at HQ for a long time

Agree with everything Christopher

Hang on a second, I've praised the team for what they achieved last night but the point still stands on what's needed to move the team up the table. The players you mention have fir from been consistent enough regardless of last night. Sentiment is what landed us here.

Think we have to see what Smith thinks of the squad and he should be given free reign to do as he sees fit

Absolutely and what I said originally was that I hope he's strong enough to be ruthless where necessary. Players undoubtedly need to come in and you can't do that without some going out.

Practical thing to do is look at the players who are out of contract and assess not just what they have delivered so far this season, but over the last couple of years. With that in mind I would suggest Bodene (maybe keep the missus), Dywer, Briscoe and Mellor have to be moved on. Not because they are all rubbish, but because if we are looking to get near the top of the table again we need far better. I'm not sure about Martin. He's been a stand out for a large part of the season, but over the last couple of years he's been a bit in and out. Covid may well have been a factor in that. Will be interesting to see what Smith can get out of the likes of Tet and Bentley. They have really let the team down when needed most. Both owe the rest of the squad big time.

I’d def keep Martin but agree with your view here Arthur

Seth
I am not having a pop at you in particularly. My point is we have been badly hit with injuries and unnecessary suspensions. Down to the bare bones and it has been a necessity to play Donaldson and Thompson regularly and I don’t think anyone can single them out for letting the team down. Would I have them both playing in the 17 regularly no, they are squad fillers. Would I have given Thompson the contact he was given taking up a quota spot no. However we are where we are for the time being and for me I am glad we have them. As mentioned we have 9 players off contract and I think Smith should be given the time to decide who he wants to keep and if they get offers from elsewhere in the meantime so be it. I am positive that there will be changes, there needs to be to progress but we are a cap sport so don’t expect 7/8 big hitters arriving.
Just to make things clear I would expect Thompson to go making room for one overseas player. Not sure about Blake so possibly two spots available.
I would hope that Smith has a a good few contacts that are not top grade players but are really capable of making a mark in SL even if it is just a two year stepping stone to ARL.
Let’s hope the upward curve continues.

Would you keep Austin? He's also out of contract and clearly trying his socks off. Thing is, if we keep both Austin and Martin, get rid of Bodene and then all the other contracted overseas players elect to stay - we have just one quota place left to fill. Given that the NRL is theoretically the best place to recruit quality, there is not much room for manoeuvre. Who would be a coach?

I’d keep Austin but would understand if he wasn’t retained.