On the Brieley deal, wouldn't it be possible that we're signing him on a long contract (to avoid anyone else signing him when his contract runs out at the end of next year) with the idea of loaning him out for a year - possibly back to Leigh - but having him contracted to come in at the end of 2016 for either Burrow or McGuire. We did a similar thing when we signed Hardaker from Fev, though injuries meant we recalled him from his loan within the first year.

It doesn't and is why it'll be a massive step up. He'll also be playing in front of 15k instead of 4 or 5 which can cut either way depending on our results and his form. There are a lot of questions unanswered for me. I'm not saying he'll prove to be a bad signing, assuming he does sign of course, merely that I really doubt he'll slot seamlessly into an attacking machine of a side that crushes all before it. Which would be nice but rarely happens.

This might be true but would it do much to further his development?

I like how you're all disregarding McDermott and Hetherington when they say we'll sign a hooker, and then that's business done. We will not sign Brierley for 2016. He'll go for free in 2017

You do realise that McDermott also said we had recruited a replacement for Sinfield too? Not have a replacement, but recruited?

Don't forget....According to 'forum people in the know' we've already signed Brierley, Widdop, Houghton and Balin for next season

nobody, including me I may add, has said we are signing Houghton. he was approached but nobody said signed. I think only a Bradford fan said we had signed widdop.

If Leigh don't come up, we will sign Brierley.

you really are blinkered with your stupid view. Brierley wanted to leave last year, two transfer requests and two leeds bids. it was the leigh chairman who asked him to give it one more year and if things didn't work out he wouldn't stand in his way.
holding to ransom?

A transfer fee for Brierley is going to be negligible anyway. It'd be welcome in Leigh's coffers no doubt but not one that's going to keep the club going or anything. Having Brierley for another year may well just that little something extra that gets Leigh promoted. If not then the £10/20k they've lost out on was more than worth the gamble.