As I understand it, it can be cancelled, but it's be incredibly expensive for the club. As McDermott could demand a payout for his salary every year until he dies.

Personally, I'm happy with it. In two seasons we've contested every available final, won three trophies, been twice champions, and but for an awful refereeing display in 2011 would have picked up a first Challenge Cup for 12 years. I really don't think we can fault the guy for the performance of the team so far.

As for succession planning, I note that Peacock & Kylie are due to retire at the end of this year, Luke Burgess is OOC at South Sydney.

Never mind the props, I think the major succession for McDermott to navigate medium term is Sinfield-McGuire-Burrow to, well, who..?

Well one of the 'replacements' has already played a fair bit of first team rugby and major finals, another i'd suggest is Liam Sutcliffe, leaving a third to find.

If he manages to get the League form more consistent then I'll be happy.

re: replacing the Holy Trinity, we've got a fair bit sorted I reckon.

Sinfield : Ward. Straight swap.

Burrow: McShane/Hood/Lunt (re-signed).

It's McGuire at Scrum Half that's potentially tricky. Robbie looks fairly fit though, so I'd expect him to be here till he's 33, which isn't until the end of the 2015 season. So we could easily get another four years out of him.

The biggest chance is replacing Sir Kev at standoff, which Ward will need to do in the next season or two, I'd have thought.

Although clearly a big hit with both the club and its fans, Ward's progression shouldn't yet be regarded as a cert IMO.

Can I throw another off the Oldham production line into that mix in Ben White, Seth?

Maybe not the most spectacular or naturally gifted of players, but looks a good decision maker and game manager. Interesting to see what sort of partnership he and Liam Sutcliffe build up in the 19s this year.

Totally agree i really like Sutcliffe and look forward to seeing how he develops plus as AG says Ben White seems to be highly rated at the club aswell so thats another to watch out for.

We have many good young players at this club. The key is integrating them and getting them game time early enough to stop them going elsewhere.

That was the reasoning behind my original comment about McDermott. He can't move away from what we currently have. Or at least it appears that way.

Of course there is also a lot of pressure on him to win things, which limits is appetite for risk.

What's the rush? Some of them got lots of game time elsewhere last year (McShane, springs quickly to mind), Hardaker became a first team fixture under McDermott, Ward has been introduced to the first team and will probably be a regular this season, Keinhorst has tasted first team....

What is the difference between this contract any the contract virtually everyone else has?