Had my thinking head on last night and was wondering what would come of next season. I can hear you saying, "this season isn't over yet". But was wondering more about the fringe players.

Starting with Hood, Watson, Chisolm and Vickery. I expect these to leave at the end of the season. The first 3 should have had a bit of game time at least by now. Not at all the same time obviously, but with Brain Macs rotation policy (which is non existent) I think these guys have been given a raw deal so far. I am open to suggestion and could change my mind if things change but I doubt the 3 mentioned will get a look in now. I think Vickery will probably go home rather than stop to play in the Championship (if any one wants him).

That takes me on to the U19s. I expect Briscoe (who is so average), Foster and Mcavoy to stay in the first team squad next year as they are still quite young and Sunley, Sutcliffe and a-another will join them from this YTS advanced apprenticship thingy - maybe they will go to Hunslet dual reg to mature. Sutcliffe and Foster might get a glimmer of a look in for a game, but about the same chances as Hood, Watson and Chisolm have had IMO.

I believe many of our U19s are coming of age this year i.e. most have to leave as they are too old - so it's good night Vienna for you guys and thanks for services rendered. Where does that leave the likes of Duckworth etc? Championship sides will be full of older fringe players from the 2013 season and also the new fringe players from 2014 dual reg so the only place for these guys is Championship 1 or lower.

Finally I don't see the Rhinos changing much in the next 5 years, maybe Sutcliffe being groomed for McGuire as cover but the writing isn't very pretty for the young guns coming through. If anyone says these are the best since the Burrow/Mcguire academy days, it maybe the case, but aren't the U19s playing 16, 17, 18 & 19 year olds each week where as Rhinos is a team of predominantly 19 years olds? I haven't seen the games this year but just going by what I have heard on this forum. I did like the U20s because it allowed SL players to play too - I remember when Leeds U20s played Wigan U20s and they had Pat Richards, Charnley, Dudson, Gelling, L Tompkins, etc. Shame you don't see that now.

Anyway just my thoughts.

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This is Doug Laughton's fault. He started the cult of youth among some Leeds fans with Cummins, Holroyd et al.

I very much doubt Hood and Watson will be going anywhere. They'll be loaned out at the most. Vickery doesn't cut it really and what with us being linked to Dixon then he'll be off (probably to Wakey)

Cant see anyone in SL being interested in taking Vickey.Championship at best if he stays in UK or back to OZ.

Ooooh, a random speculation thread.

Ace.

I have total faith in Gary's squad/ retained list each season afterall his record is far better than every other clubs equivalent during the super league era is it not?

I got as far as "Had my thinking head on last night and..."

Is the rest of it more moaning about not filling the first team with academy players, or should I invest my time in reading it?

No don't invest any time reading it. I would prefer people like you not to waste your time. Bet if I put Ryan Hall or Zak in the heading you would have been all over it like a rash.

Should I read it too? Or is it boring and filled with idle speculation about fringe players for no apparent reason?
Is Ryan or Zak in it? If they're not then I'm not reading it.

Liar. Bet you did read it

You make some good points, but you're only leaving yourself open to abuse from the sychophantic-holier-than-thou-McDermott-and-the-club-always-know-best contingent.

I do it to wind up the hard liners. You know the type; those that think we have a team of 20 players. and so fixated on Ryan Hall, Zak and Peacock they don't even know who is who in the academy.

Anyway as it happens this original post wasn't about flooding the team with academy players. It was a question of where do they go next year as there is no place for them. I even think many will struggle to get into the Championship as it will be awash with SL fringe players and next years dual reg.

I thought this thread was a welcome change to the bile that some people put on here. Something constructive for a change.

We can always talk about golf on a rugby forum if we run out of topics!

Not sure I've actually posted on a thread with Hall or Hardaker in the title in recent times...

By "people like me" I assume you're just being blatantly racist.