Exeter Rhino:




I really like Croft, and I think even in a Leeds shirt he's done a lot to suggest he's a classy player. At the same time, over a year in, I'll admit he's fallen some way short of what is expected of the lead half-back at a club like Leeds. Last season much could be forgiven given Rohan-ball and the dire pack. This time around with Arthur in charge and a more capable set of forwards I think we should be seeing a lot more.


Take the last two games for example. We're well in the contest in terms of possession, field position, restricting the opposition in large parts of the game etc. But we're really lacking that control in the middle of the field when we have the ball, especially close to the opposition line. This is surely Croft's responsibility first and foremost? We can blame the likes of Cam Smith (admittedly absent recently) for killing plays, Frawley's positional kicking, and a lack of craft from Ackers, but Croft has to bear a lot of responsibility too.


The fact that Connor fits into the attack so effortlessly (seemingly) whilst much of what Croft is trying seems laboured is a worry. Maybe Croft just isn't a good fit for Leeds? I'm not in the definitely 'get rid' camp, but if he's not stamping his mark on games consistently by mid/late-season we need to consider potentially off-loading him, especially if he's in demand in Australia. After all, he's presumably taking up so much cap space.


As for Ackers, he looked good in the Boxing Day fixture last year, and while being solid since, hasn't ever really looked like an international 9. 

Trebor1:

I wonder id Payne Haas would fancy taking a big wage cut to come over to an inferior comp   just watching him for Brisbane this morning.. what a prop forward that lad is.