I posted this on the other thread that you may not have seen which highlights Moon's importance at centre. Sorry for those that have already read it.

"Sorry Printer but I completely disagree with your conclusions.

I repeat despite Watkins silky skills and brilliant footwork Moon for some time has been the more reliable centre of the two - in no way is this comment meant to take anything away from Watkins who is world class on his day. But to make your judgement because Hall's try tally has dipped is wrong. Hall does a lot more of the heavy work returning kicks which may perhaps effect his sharpness on certain occasions too.

Firstly Leeds for the past few seasons have attacked more down the right than the left. This is due in part to Watkins's great attacking abilities and in part to not having a full back like Webb who usually ran down the left hand channel. This is backed up by the number of carries each centre has made this season Watkins (370) and Moon (206). Another factor is that Ablett who often is in the left hand channel often dies with the ball when a pass is on. Our right side has seen Ward and Achurch more ready to make a pass.

Secondly despite making 164 less carries Moon has made more try assists, less errors with better offload and tackle busts ratios than Watkins and he has also made considerable more tackles. Only in clean breaks does Watkins have the better stats.

But I repeat I am a big fan of Watkins and I make these points to show the importance of Moon to the side playing at centre and repeat my claim that he is the most consistent (not the best) of the two hence I would not move him."

I might be being dumb here, but is Aiton definitely gone for the rest of the season, or could he make a miraculous recovery? I don't remember reading anywhere that he's definitely done - though in fairness I've not looked.

16 weeks as his wrist was knackered too. He might have been back this week if it was just his arm. He has about 10 weeks to go.

Meh - bit of strapping and some injections and he'd still be our best choice in that position.

16 weeks without being able to use your wrist, not sure what I would do.

You'd probably find yourself in a very similar situation to the title of this thread.

Well according to twitter he's had the cast off today.

You never know.

That would be excellent, but what would be the reason for the whole 16wks statement to the press? To mess with the heads of the opposition?

Lots of rehab stillo beone to strengthen muscles, ligament's and return flexibility

still to be done

I hate wireless keyboards

He posted a picture of his scar on Instagram. https://instagram.com/p/75ND5UJIEI/ Some one (Kirke) asked him if there was any chance of a return and he confirmed he's out until next season.

He posted a picture of his scar on Instagram. https://instagram.com/p/75ND5UJIEI/ Some one (Kirke) asked him if there was any chance of a return and he confirmed he's out until next season.

Darn.

I was at a birthday bash on Saturday at which there were a lot of south sea islanders from various clubs, plus ex players. got nattering to willie poching about his leeds days and I asked him about if he knew about leeds chasing clark, him being an ex wire coach.
he confirmed leeds wanted him and clark wanted to come but it depended on warrington. they were delighted with Brad Dwyer but weren't sure if he was good enough yet to be number one hooker.
he thought it was probably doubtful warrington wouldn't let him go but he said they were trying to revamp their squad and it wouldn't surprise him if he was allowed to go to free up cap space.

Thing is with Warrington, they've been quite big on a proper two hooker system for a few years now. For a while they had Monaghan and Higham, to the latter and Clark and now Clark and Dwyer. So even though Dwyer has done well, they need another guy to keep that pattern going.

yes I would agree with that. maybe they'll get another hooker in. couldn't comment because I don't know.

Sounds interesting, I suspect the birthday bash was not in the tadcaster locale.
I was in the angel and white horse Saturday night, unfortunately no south sea islanders on view.

sadly not but it was in a house in Boston spa. my mates sister in law married a former bulls player and it was a birthday bash.
I laid that stone floor in the Angel and fit the stone fireplace when we refurbed it

The Angel in Leeds centre ? Lovely wheat beer in there.

Still worries by the lack of a hooker but doubt we will hear anything until boxing day / season ticket sales slow down

Aren't we potentially linked with Beau Falloon from Gold Coast?

Latest rumour appears to be Glen Buttriss, who was Canberra's starting hooker last year but has fallen behind Josh Hodgson in the pecking order.

Thirs choice behind Hodgson and Baptiste for a non-play-off club. I know we need *someone*, but if we're looking at the likes of Buttriss we must be down to our eighth or ninth choice.

What was Aiton's pedigree when we took him from Wakefield?

Aiton is a journeyman with a pretty basic skill set who became important to us because he did a 'job'. That we cannot find an English player capable of doing that role is a huge failure of the game as a whole in this country. They should be ten a penny.

I have no doubt Buttriss can do that job. I have doubts that he is an answer that takes us forward either long or short term.

You don't rate someone you don't rate someone, but what exactly is your definition of "journeyman" that you seem to use in a derogatory way? If Aiton is a "journeyman" then you are looking at 70% of the rugby players in the same boat.

I think he has played for four clubs in his career. If you compare to other Leeds "Journeymen" in your definition, then Cuthbertson has played for 5 clubs, Kylie 6 clubs, Moon 4 clubs, Peacock 4 clubs. Are we supposed to be put off because players have played for more than one club?

Well yeah. Most players are of journeyman quality (if not moving around enough to be a journeyman)

I would say that Kylie is a journeyman aswell. Probably moon too.

Cuthbertson is better than that. And Peacock is a legend.

Aiton is a mediocre player. He has a pretty basic skill set and isn't doing anything gets particularly special. He is doing what you expect a hooker to do and not a whole lot more. A.n Other hooker will be able to slot in to Aitons role and we won't see a huge drop off.