Based on his one full season last year I'd say through the regular campaign he didn't look out of place amongst the rest of the forwards. He had some reasonable games but gave a few penalties away at times. I never came away from a game thinking "wow, Griffin was great today", but I never thought that about any of our forwards as they were monstered by some of our bigger rivals. He got himself a World Club Challenge winners medal and a Grand Final winners ring, was in the 17 every week when fit, so I'd think his exclusion from the team and subsequent farming out on loan is due to something rather than his playing ability. Reading Mcdermotts comments in the article that was uploaded a couple of days back probably corroborates that.

Some harsh comments re-Griffin imo he got very little gametime and id certainly have him over Kirke any day against any opposition.
There were rumours about his dressing room behaviour at the Giants so to hear them again isnt good if they have any weight.

FAO-Leeds Owl which article were Brian Mc's comments in mate?

Really ? based on what exactly

I dunno rhinmos.

Game times earnt and in the little spells he got he hardly bust a gut. He was our weakest prop last year. No loss.

Yup. Hope that is the way they go. Prefer JJB as a prop to a second row. He runs more like a prop, and his quicker play the balls will help in that area. Not what I want in the backrow anymore, but Prop seems to suit him better.

Based on the fact he can do longer stints ,runs harder and given enough gametime imo he'd prove his worth.
He did alright in danny Mags' testimonial aswell much more impact than kirke.
He got a lot of unfair stick when the whole pack were'nt performing imo and with Kylie only doing 10 minute stints could prove useful.
Now of course if the rumours of his off field conduct are true then we are clearly better off without him but given where we are and the lack of quality at FR i'd have kept him providing he's behaved and trained well.
For me Kirke has served his time and to be fair he came good last year but we should be looking at players younger and more impact.

Gotcha-RE Jjb at Prop aren't you concerned he'd get dominated against bigger packs??
No doubting his work rate and he is a powerful runner but for me he's more useful outwide i'd rather we used a specialist Prop.

I thought he started off ok last year, the try at Wigan when he crashed over near the post may not have been spectacular but it's not something you see a Leeds forward do much compared to some other teams. Felt as the season went on he was suffering from only been giving short spells on the pitch (but then again so did Clarkson, but he seems to have knuckled down in pre-season and forced his way back in). As we approached the playoffs when the team and players were picking up form (even the much maligned Kirke) Griffin did not. He wasn't able to get the starting gig in France when Leuluai was suspended (Kirke did) and in the GF he only got 15 mins on the pitch (Kirke over 40 mins in comparison).

The falling out of favour had already occured by the end of last year, he was perhaps fortunate to get his GF spot with a more eager, hard working Moore waiting in the wings. With the arrival of Achurch and Bailey no longer needed at Loose then I predicted in pre-season he wouldn't be in the 17 at the start of this year and be 6th choice prop (provided that Achurch was used in the front row and not back row) and so it's proved to be.

He was actually in the 19 man squad at the start of the year against Hull so wasn't completely out of contention (granted Leuluai and Moore both weren't fit for that one) but as mentioned above with Chris Clarkson, he seems to have worked his way back into the 17 by hard work, Griffin seems to have responded the opposite way to non-selection.

I'd guess given Salford's situation at the moment then even if he doesn't show up to well there in this month loan that he'll probably end up there permanantly...........if he doesn't play well enough to even get himself a contract at Salford then his career has really hit the skids. Either way I doubt we'll see him wearing a Leeds top again given we have 7 other options at prop atm. It has the hint of the Jamie Thackary about it, expect a comment calling McDermott a "c**t" and him playing lower league soon enough.

Good point re-Clarkson printer it does make you question what we dont see behind the scenes to be fair i just think he was a little unlucky at times last year and got some unfair stick.

He already gets dominated outwide, his yardage is poor per carry, and these days he mainly runs inside. He is better suited, IMO, at prop, and I was impressed with him last week. He still makes the same yardage, but can play the ball quicker than others, and been in the middle of the park this helps the momentum.

I don't consider him a powerful runner in thes lightest, but he does have pace, and through the middle that can be a useful weapon. I just think he looks more comfortable putting in the effort at prop.

They are in the topic "Brian Speaks" over on page 2 of this website. Click on the link provided for a long interview with Brian Mac. In it he says says some of the players won't necessarily like him and that he looks at them as people as well as players, their overall attitude and life away from the sport. A revealing interview that suggests to me it's not just about what you do on the park but what you bring to the team/club as a person.

Could never understand why Leeds signed him.......anyone still think he has been a better option than Amor was - and could have continued to be?

Still I'm not sure he has been given a fair crack: don't think he has ever been an impact prop in the way Kylie was (is). If Griffin had started matches as the main game player, with Kylie the limited time relief substitute, who knows.

In the meantime, Kirke obviously has the same deeply hidden qualities and will continue to cock a snoot at any pretenders to his particular throne in the chosen 17.

Wonder if Singleton will be the next to fall to his continued commanding presence.

Fair enough if true.

My main point however was Griffin was signed when we had the option of keeping Amor.