Conversely he may have a number of stinkers too so it would beneficial to have a fee agreed in advance of the WC. Besides Aiton has had a couple of SL seasons to show his 'worth' to Leeds so they can garner a fair reflection on how he's likely to go.

Possibly so, but I would say a couple of massive games on this stage would be more beneficial than a couple of stinkers would be detrimental. Nobody is expecting a great deal from the likes of PNG, so in reality he probably has a 'shot to nothing' - very little downside but huge potential upside.

Some Leeds folk are hoping they've signed him others not; some saying he can be a liability in defence when we know hes the complete opposite. He was topping the top-tackler in his first season before he broke his jaw and was probably up there this year.
I hope we do keep him but if we do get 70k and we have a replacement lined up then I'd take it, interesting to see that MC hasn't commented on this yet - would've loved him to squash or prove the 'sources' from mediocre newspapers who get 3% of the 100 right.

Won his appeal for his 1 match ban.

Typical. Leeds player gets ban overturned again!

just signed a two year extension to his contract at Fev and started his own business, so don't think so.

Press conference at Headingley tomorrow. Aiton and McDermott are also in attendance

I heard but I must add only a rumour so stands a reasonable chance of being wrong that Leeds have offered 6 of their academy players on loan. We may learn more later to day.

He didn't have his best game last night for PNG.
Maybe the pressures of signing for one of the big boys are starting to get to him !
His replacement livened things op with his speed and distribution from dummy half.

Was also mentioned in one of the rugby papers yesterday.

Aiton's main weakness is his ball from dh, and he showed that last night - too many wayward passes leaving the receiver grasping at nothing or lined up to get smashed.

Does the sale of Paul mean the amount MC needed as been reached , or is Kath taking the opportunity to dispose of all the overpaid (her judgement) , if so there are certainly ONE or TWO left who fit into the Mellor’s category.  As regards the Rhino 6 loanees if they include Mimms , Forster and Clarkson who are all back row , where does that leave our OWN , Anakin ,Walshaw and Trout , If there is a S/L  requirement of 7 home grown to be in the squad who will they be , it’s strange they are reported to be discussing terms with young Maskill . who is clearly not good enough but would be cheap .Sorry Charlie I realise this is all speculation and will do your head in

I'd be very disappointed if we loaned six of Leeds youngsters, if we feel youth is our only option then it should be our youth given the chance.

I won't be too bothered if he moves on.

Reminds me of TLL- not a lot of supporters were bothered when he left!

I like him a lot but it's looking more and more like it's the best thing to do.

It's a position we can cover, imho
Half back and prop are the difficult ones right now.

Not sure of Pete Smith's track record but he's tweeted, Leeds to announce the signing of Paul Aiton later today. Pity but needs must.

Official signed a 3 year deal.

Wonder what the details of the deal are?

Couldn't agree more. Sorry but I have no interest in being a finishing school for Leeds.

Yeah, wouldn't mind a couple of first team loanees but wholesale youngsters would have a catastrophic effect on our youth players!

This.

No to developing other teams youth, develop our own. If Kirmond goes a back row of Walshaw, Trout or Anakin should be the way forward.

I would agree with this, and that is the biggest danger to the club IMO.

when long time supporters feel this way I fear for the clubs future support.

I would rather support our own youngsters even if they may not be deemed as good. Although I don't think any of the kids who played for us last season ever let us down? And at least they would have their hearts in it.

This option never worked out too well for hunslet, and taking players on loan from a club that wants to see the league reduced is Barmy!

Exactly. We may need a couple of loanees to help out, that happens. But to end up with half a dozen from a team is a big no-no, especially when there is also a rumour that a couple Warrington juniors could be heading this way on loan as well.

At a time when they are pushing club 1873 it would look pretty hypocritical to develop other teams youngsters for them whilst ours sit in the stand watching, especially so when the likes of Cowling and Kay are plying their trade elsewhere.

it'd be a very short term fix - if I were in the u19s at wakefield and they brought in 6 from leeds to play first team, I'd just leave.

I don't think wakefield would crap on their own youth team like this. I'd hope not anyway.

There's still some time for new signings yet - things always sound worse than they are, that's the media's job

We have or had youngsters who were brushed aside for others. Singleton for 2/3 games, did we really need Reece Lynn when we had Cowling and Kaye. Molloy for 20 minutes in about 4 games when we have Walshaw, Annakin and Trout.

Heck when Wildie played brilliantly at hooker he was just tossed aside and replaced with Wood. These are now the players we will rely upon. Players deemed not good enough by Kear and Agar, players who should have played a lot more games, players who would have developed and stayed at the club and been a lot further down the line in their development.

I'll keep banging the drum, but we need coaches who believe in their youngsters. But, we must have experienced players alongside them. It's no good having a pack filled with young lads. We need Kirmond, Poore and Raleigh to help bring them on.

It's a fine balancing act, but when we appointed Agar, the most important specification was to bring on and develop our youngsters. Has Wildie, Cowling, Kaye, Trout & Walshaw developed?