Could do with some support for Ipape now..

McNamara

Smith and Davis also

Not really sure any of them can come up to the standard required for that position. I’m thinking more of a dedicated player to that position not a shoe in..

Lammy did say that he believes Ben McNamara was playing in the wrong position at Hull fc at halfback, and believes he would be better positioned at hooker. If Lammy can nurture him in that position,we could have a gem on our hands.

Agree that we need more of a specialist but getting a good 9 and him to be prepared to have more of a cameo role will be hard to do . Ipape plays big minutes and Lams method of using the class players for as long as possible worked and I can see some clubs following suit this year . Lam tore up the conventional way most coaches spell players and would be surprised if he changes.

Smith is the obvious alt 9 not sure why he didn’t feature last year, probably because of Mellor’s form. Will miss Joe an understated SL half back.

He had an accident with the lawnmower on his foot. He featured in the C Cup game at York, but not sure why he never featured again. Maybe he needed further treatment, but that's just a guess.

Cokey, you're a GRASS!

Seriously, is that what happened? A pro sportsman runs over his own foot with his FlyMo / Lawnmaster - no wonder the club kept it quiet! Is there a secondary Darwin Award for non-fatalities? Boy!

Yep. TBF - At least the club didn't tell him to "SOD" off.

Not but maybe send him out on LAWN, as we say in East Yorkshire.......

According to Love Rugby League, Arron Smith is on his way to Barrow.

That's another No.9 gone!

Yeah Jack yer reet It's [url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/exclusive-super-league-grand-final-winner-leigh-leopards-aaron-smith-closing-in-on-permanent-championship-switch[u=#FF0000HERE[/u[/url

Interesting and will wait for confirmation from the club, but IF it happens, it certainly points to McNamara as the man for now.
We also know that should the need for another 9 be shown, Lammy will not hesitate, Chessy &he will do their stuff, Derek will back that need.
I’m confident that a couple more pieces of the overall puzzle will be obtained if/when needed, and they will be the right pieces so they fit.

I thought Smith did a good job for us in the Championship and was a bit surprised when he seemed to fall out of favour last season.

He is not without skill and is certainly not without bravery - he was pretty fearless. My abiding memory of him in the Championship winning season was the regularity with which he got injured - usually to his noggin - each week. Despite being crocked every week and carted off he was always back the following week.

For those of us here who have had cause to watch South Park he always reminded me of the character Kenny - killed every episode - back the following week.

If it is to be goodbye to our very own Kenny then I wish him all the best and hope that he can revive his career up in Cumbria.

They killed Kenny. Good luck Aaron.
Judging by the shirt numbers Davis is retaining the backup dummy half slot, with McNamara as 3rd choice hooker. Not to hold too much sway with the numbers, if they perform in training they will get a chance to cement a position in the 18 man squad.

Odd that it has taken so long to get him off the books so to speak. Hardly featured last season despite no recognised hooker, noting above the possible injury situation as reason.
Hearing noises Tom Amone is angling for a move back home . Would be a massive loss, even bigger if we can’t replace in quick time.

What noises are these LC ?

Hopefully it’s all and nothing but I hear that family reasons he wants a return but this will only happen once a replacement is sought.
Came from the same person who told me Reynolds was going Fev and Blake going back home , for which I posted on here and was cast a doom monger but both turned out correct.
Hope it’s 3rd time unlucky

Thanks LC - that is very interesting. We will see what pans out.

I have faith in our Coaching/Management team, and what pans out will be for the better for the club. IMO.

I think that we all do Cokey. They haven't got much wrong at all in the past 2 years.

Yep of course, so we shouldn't be too perturbed or concerned about any departures. That's all i meant really.

With the new ruling being mentioned for players in the NSW/QLD cup this will open a massive pool of talent.
Although we will still have the quota rule to abide to (which is a farce when we want to grow the club game )
I just find it difficult to understand at times that we want to grow the game as a spectacle but hindering the quality on the pitch. Have a grace of a few years , grow the game , get people and kids back interested and slowly reinforce the rule.
I don’t want a 13 full of Aussies and Kiwis forever and a day but the brand is growing and it seems the ST sales at most clubs is growing. It’s the perfect time to showcase how good Rugby League is