Possibly. Their offer of a 1 year deal, one would assume, indicates their desire to work with McShane and Hood as regulars and invest the cap elsewhere in 2011. Wise. Interesting that no fee was requested, presumably because Rhinos respected his contribution and probably wanted to save his ££££.

Hooker, I didn't see as being a priority for us. Heath was pretty sharp this year, in a tough first term. Overall Diskin is still very likely to be spelled which just doesn't suit him or make the best of his engine.

Diskin was an exceptional player, quite if he will remain to be so is different altogether. A 3 year contract is very generous. We shall see.

He's won four grand finals with the Rhinos and when Buderus was out Leeds cuonted on him and he didn't let them down.

If it does come off (and it sounds almost certain) then i'd expect Godwin to move on, as I can't see him being happy as back up.

I honestly cant see Heath or Wagga being moved into the halves. Wagga is nowhere near creative enough imo, and although Heath will do a job there, we wouldn't want him as starting 7 and his best attribute, running from DH would be wasted.

Diskin to start, Heath to come on and run at tired defences. Whilst he's been excellent starting, I think he could do even better if he comes on and runs and puts people through gaps.

Wagga, Hall & Platt to Cas for Rangi Chase?

Throw in Worrincy (literally) and it would be a deal clincher.

Or Cas would rightly say "feck off you jokers but instead we'll give you the games most over rated player, Joe Westerman"

Platt would fill the centre berth left by Shenton, they were interested in Hall. Godwin is a former player and not a bad one, I know it's very wishful thinking but i'd love to see Chase at the Bulls.

Good signing imo, I wonder if Cummins played a part in this signing.

I really feel this could come back to bite Leeds just like Jimmy did in 1996.

Interesting you should mention westerman as I suspect he's the reason leeds want diskin off their cap.

Diskin out to accomodate Westerman. Has McClennan gone mad?

Wagga is part of the Bulls 2011 calendar, wouldn't look too good if he was playing for another team while bearing all for for ladies to enjoy next year.

Diskin is only 28. He's got plenty of miles on the clock.

maybe. Or maybe their thinking a bit longer term. they were only prepared to give diskin a 1 year deal and have two young hookers coming through that they have high hopes for. On the other hand I'm not sure who, if anyone, they have coming through to take sinfields spot who they will probably have to replace in next few years. Given maguires going to miss start of season and sinfield will probably shift to halves to cover would make sense to bring westerman in now.

Im pleased with this signing! Onwards and upwards its an exciting closed season!

Fantastic signing if true, can't see us with 3 hookers though aswell as O'Brien who's coming through. Maybe Godwin or Diskin to 13, with Langley and Elima in the 2nd row.

didnt we try godwin at loose one game last season? Although I suspect that might be where Royston ends up playing in the short term.

It's unbelivable the way some people are talking, there making it out as if we have signed a 34 year old on a three year deal, he's only 28 and still one of the best 9's in the game. He's not played to his best this year, but he has been forced out to accomodate Buderus, a change of club and hopefully he will be back in a England shirt becasue he is quality.

Yeah Godwin played at 13 as did Heath in the halves.

Myabe that is where Potter sees them both re: cover.

As I've told the Leeds supporters this has the same feeling as when we got Lowes from them back in 1996.

seriously doubt potter sees l'estrange as cover. whilst theres not much in it I'd rate l'estrange as better than diskin (on last years form at least). Its debatable though who should be starting hooker and who goes on bench. Only way I could see L'estrange not having one of the hooking roles is if we do move him to scrum half but hopefully we wont go down that route.

as a neutral (super Saints !) Diskin sounds like a good move from Mr Potter - great player who didn't get the chances in 2010 because of an inconsistent Buderus imo - hope Wagga stays,he's a steady player who rarely seems to have a bad game when utilised
regarding Greseque,I've seen him play quite a few times in the LER and looks like he could move up to the SL - steady kicker,a better french import than say,Bosc (dodgy ankles etc) imo

The way L'Estrange plays, I'd say he's got more impact coming off the bench. But the strength in depth for next season is what's got me excited about going to Odsal. There's no-one in the team who's guaranteed to start. For every player who gets into the starting 13 there's 2 guys right behind him looking to get his spot.
[size=50Admittedly I'm ignoring the half backs, but I'm sure that area will be sorted soon.[/size

Why not? With the exception of the halves, we have more than enough players in every other position. Why should hooker be any different? If we assume that 2 hookers in the 17 is the way Potter wants to go, and I see no reason why that wouldn't be the case, why wouldn't we have 3, considering O'Brien is still only 17 years old and clearly not ready for regular Super League action?

think the difference is, in the other positions once you get past the more obvious starting players the backup players tend to be either younger academy players or ones we're taking a bit of a gamble on (either injury wise or because of obvious deficiencies in their games). whereas we now have 3 SL level players on SL level wages. just seems like a big chink of salary cap to tie up when we mroe obviously need to strengthen in the halves. hopefully we'll get good news in that department in next week or so too though. If we manage to sort the halves out and keep all the players under contract so far then we've managed the cap exceptionally well imo.

Exactly. If this is true its a very good signing and probably suits all parties. We get an upgrade at 9, assuming Diskin and Heath over Heath and Godwin. Diskin gets 3 year deal rather than 1, Leeds create the room to bring in westerman and promote the promising McShane whilst keeping Buderus at 9.

As for 3 hookers in the squad, whats the issue? Its pretty clear to me that Potter is making sure he has at least one cover per squad slot throughout the squad (Halves excepted

), if you assume 2 hookers in the 17, Potter clearly likes his gameplans to involve multiple hookers, then if we start with 2 in the 17, one back up and one youngster to make a group of 4 players for 2 places... that seems to fit perfectly to me.

Its up to Heath, Diskin, and Godwin to make a 17 spot thiers. Competition for places is essential and [ishould [/iraise performance all other things being equal.

From a Leeds fan:
Diskin's a good player, and can play at Loose forward or second row, but he's not an impact player, he just adds a bit of intelligence to your game.
He was our better hooker this year, so why we are letting him go, i really don't know.
But we have adequate cover coming through, good luck to him though.

Think HL will play 7 personally.