I'd guess it was about 50 minutes. Not that they are required, because it was clearly evident to the naked eye, but these stats back up what an outstanding shift he put in

I'd guess it was about 50 minutes. Not that they are required, because it was clearly evident to the naked eye, but these stats back up what an outstanding shift he put in

Yeah deffinately. He looked class everytime he got the ball and I had a feeling he would be pushing 100.

Forgive me, given the precise context of the quote 'average antipodean' I think I may be overstating Donald's ability. I would equally describe Delaney (at centre) in those same terms incidentally.

They add little to SL, they block opportunities for rising Academy players, they hold this game back.

Is it any wonder Britain struggles on the International stage (especially in the backs) when these types are recruited.

Buderus on the other hand I have no issue with, even at his advanced age. All quality, an inspirational player.

Did anybody else notice the size of Delaney's head when Sky show the team formation at the start of the match??

I think that alone should act as sufficient proof he should be in the pack!

Delaney is a player you craved, bemoaning Leeds inability to scour the NRL for a right centre during the 2009 season, expressing your unhappiness with Academy products Lee Smith, Carl Ablett and Ashley Gibson for the right centre jersey.

Which rising young Academy prospect would have had their career enhanced had the club signed Sam Moa, another signing you praised Hull for making and berated Leeds for not so doing?

How does Buderus playing 80 minutes help Diskin, McShane or Hood?

Let's not try and dress it up TVOC. Your view has nothing to do with "adding to SL" or "blocking Academy players". If they're foreign, they're OK do as long as YOU rate them. If not, it's damaging to the game presumably?

For me, (i.e. if I were the 'YOU' mentioned) that statement can be applied to all players, from all countries, of all ages, in all leagues.

HTH

Why should it?! Where does it say that it has to?!

It's not Buderus' fault he's a class above. 'Leeds Rhinos' sole purpose of existence is to get bums on seats to pay wages and make it's owners money. That's it. Full stop.

A bi-product of that is winning trophies (which in turn gets bums on seats, pays wages & makes money), another bi-product of that is entertaining people (which in turn gets bums on seats, pays wages & makes money).

If McShane was better than Buderus, it would be noticed. He'd be utterly dominating the U20's week in, week out, and thus earn a bench spot. He would then outshine Buderus when his bench spot turned to a stint on the field, he would then earn a starting spot.


If you were having a conservatory built, you wouldn't give two shiny sh*ts as to whether the senior, master craftsman of a builder spent enough time 'helping' the young apprentice builder to make sure he was good enough to build conservatories in the future. You'd want the best builder, building your conservatory right there and then. End of story.

You better ask TVOC. That is what he said.

You called Donald "a decidedly average antipodean"

This is the winger that finished 2nd in the Superleague try scorers list in 2008 and has scored some memorable and outstanding tries! certainly not "a decidedly average antipodean"

You seem to have forgotten that when Donald was signed we did not have the luxury of any rising Academy wingers. Hall was not ready then.

What you also seem to have forgotten is that in the season after he was the 2nd top try scorer in Superleague he was switched from the left to the right side which not only broke up the successful partnership with Senior but gave him a succession of bit player centres including 2nd row forwards which certainly effected his scoring opportunities. Until then he had scored 53 tries in 79 games. He also suffered injuries in 2009 and 10

Once Hall had moved to the left with Senior he began to flourish so Donald was not blocking his opportunities!

With regard to Delaney at centre I fully agree and said so on several occasions last season and also had said he could make a good 2nd rower in the McKenna mould.

I am all for giving youngsters their chance, but this is professional sport and if the Academy lads are not ready you have to sign the best available for that position and Donald was the man at the time.



Here I agree with you 100%

Nor will I or Jones-Bishop's perfectly weighted and executed double kick through and chase in Cardiff last week.

My point always was and always will be, why have we had to wait for the 'average antipodean' to finally renege on a contract before releasing the potential of our own Leeds produced, future potential England prospects.

It's important also to remember at the end of last season Donald and coach McClennan were still scheduled to be here in 2011, potentially further limiting those opportunities.

No doubt if Jones-Bishop in that scenario was sent away to learn for yet another year the faithfully would be hailing that decision also.

I thought his contract was terminated by mutual consent. If so, your statement above is potentially libellous.

Thank you for the advice, I'll try and bear it in mind in future.

_________



I do so on the basis of what he achieved in the NRL. Do you have a beer mat handy I might need to borrow one, failing that a postage stamp. In addition for several months before he arrived in this country he was playing reserve grade football.



Why have you chosen to wait until Donald's third season to comment on his strike rate. The young Leeds, English ex-Academy winger he replaced (according to the club CEO and who am I to argue) was the top try scorer in SL in his final season at Leeds. Had a much higher work rate and the best chase game in SL, something Donald was never interested in replicating, too much effort needed. As you mention scoring tries (which I agree is an important aspect of a winger's role) Donald's was 63 per 100 Appearances for Leeds, the player he replaced was 74, so I'm glad you've considered this.



Leeds wouldn't have needed one had they looked after the player they had invested time and money in already who was by now the finished article producing the goods week in week out. Next in line? Try Peter Fox, you may recall Leeds had him out at loan at York in 2006 but perhaps not as it's only me that conveniently forgets these things according to some. Never given the opportunity at Headingley but who went on to gain International honours while playing elsewhere shortly after by the same coach who had shown him the door. Ooops. Terrrrrrrific, the more expensive, quota taking, half-hearted, pension topping upping Scott Donald by plenty again. You really must remind me why England struggle at International level again sometime and why 'average antipodeans' are not part of the problem or like many club supporters do you not care.

Don't misunderstand me .... I am in total agreement with you. If young capable home grown talent is blocked by antipodean imports that offer no more... then it is indeed a travesty. We are lucky BJB is still with the club despite now being 22 ... And like you I think the loss of Broughton was a severe case of mis - management.

I have questioned the wisdom of persisting with the two-hooker farce; the signing of Delaney as a centre when BJB would have been at least as capable in that role; and the signing of Cross at Ambler's expense

It is ironic that the one exceptional recent antipodean talent that could have been justified was diminished by more mis-management in appeasing his nemesis. However, as I have also previously stated, even that signing should not stand in the way of an exceptional or equal home grown talent: if Liam Hood meets that criteria ( Diskin didn't ) he should be the club's priority. No more mistakes ...

My only issue was use of the word 'average' for Donald...guess it depends on your definition... BUT again I emphasise Broughton would have been the better signing of the two.

Fox was given chances in pre-season friendlies and deemed surplus by TS a coach who had won a championship and WCC so i've no problem with that tbh but good on Fox for working hard in the lower leagues and eventually earning a chance at Wakey and then HKR.
Now Calderwood wanted more than the club offered simple so who says they then went and spent MORE on Donald?
Donald already had a decent NRL strike-rate btw and as we all saw maybe Calderwood was'nt "all that" and he (like others have since) benefited from playing in a quality team.