It was the sort of game that shows the gulfs in ability within Super League. No real conclusions can be drawn from that win. Perhaps Newman’s petulance was because he could see the glaring opportunity to get his try scoring confidence back. He was right that Smith could/should have passed to him early on.
The forwards in particular cannot be judged from that game because the opposition seemed so lightweight.
Thought Miller had one of his best games, demonstrating some solidity and less liability to do daft things, but also showed up for some creative efforts.

Give him more time, Matt. He was a good player in the NRL and he's had a few false starts at Leeds thus far. If memory serves he's played both left and right centre and wing positions for us at various times this season. I've always thought he was a right centre and I hope he gets a run there. That said, I'd always thought Newman would be better down the left but he looked a fish out if water yesterday.

Think Newman would be atrocious on either side with the attitude he had on him yesterday, but he probably does lack in certain areas skill wise, even on his good days.

I will certainly be open and hopeful in Momerovski proving my opinion wrong, he's got the size for it, just think he needs to offer more punch in his running game to become more of a threat.

I’m just seeing a side which should finish top half this year, but lacks the quality to challenge for any trophies. It doesn’t really matter where we finish outside the top 4 or so sides, we are players and possibly a new coach short.

Next year we have to be contenders. The remainder of this season, and the incoming SD is pivotal, needs to be focused on that outcome.

We will want to finish in the play offs and have a dig but I want to see us make some significant steps forward for 2025. It’s within reach at least now.

I would say reasonable evidence of progress is to win (and improve) in each of the next three games, build from that with a top six finish and start notching wins against the better sides (KR, Catalans, Wire), and then give it a proper dig in the play offs. My worry would still be - where is the improvement coming from in 25? If Rhyse stays we'll likely only have one quota spot to play with. I'd say we are at least two props and probably a second row short of having a pack that can compete with the elite. The new DR is going to have to have a few tricks up his sleeve.

I’m not too fussed whether it’s 2 props or a prop and a back row, but we need at least 2 additional forwards who are able to dominate. I think the trickle-down effect is significant - we lose 2 lower impact forwards from the squad and replace with real high quality players.

I think we need a new 7, Frawley isn’t a title winning half for me and Sinfield is still undercooked as a starting 7 for Leeds.

Even then we would need the younger players to improve over the next 8 months to put some pressure on and provide effective cover.

Ultimately the problem remains the same though. Even if we release Frawley we still need a better half. That half is coming from the NRL so bang goes our quota spot. 2023 was our big year in the recruitment cycle with 24 being more a finishing touches exercise. As it stands we are not in that position. That's why, sadly, I keep coming back to a new coach being the most likely accelerator of significant progress on the field.

When does this get announced? is it the 7th?

So Fus probably gives us an NRL prop/second row.

Frawley out early would be likely another OS 7. I think we just got the wrong one.

Martin may well be tempted to NRL and he’s only worth so much to keep for Leeds. If he goes we can replace with a larger specimen.

It’s way more likely we’d have one of Bentley/McDonnell/Goudemand/ Gannon/ another academy lad plus a new high quality overseas second row to replace Martin.

Much will depend on who is available. I’m more bothered about the quality of the players than the quantity or whether it’s 2 props or a prop and a back row.

Martin is a very difficult player to replace. He can play two positions to a high standard and I would say he's the best goal kicker in the league. He's certainly our most consistent player. Replacing him would be a task in itself. I know we'll get another prop with the Fus spot, but I just don't think it's enough. Think we'll have to look to France to get another.

When is Lisone's deal up? We should get more for a quota player than 15-20 minutes of lottery every week. He's way behind the likes of Paasi for Saints, whereas players like Prior and Seumanufagai were much better value back in the Agar days.