Think I read somewhere a while back that Smith was keen to keep him, if that’s the case why let his contract run down thus given him the chance to up his value.

He hasn’t always shown the best judgement but you can see how Saints might see him as the next Walmsley candidate and he’s from there originally ish.

Will be a shame if true, we shouldn't be losing young English players when there is no need.
I get it's not always in the clubs control but I'd take him over Tet,Bentley or/and Donaldson lol

Yeh a shame if true.
But you can understand why he would go to Saints.
I do wonder if he really has the fire and aggression needed to be a top front rower.
But he certainly has potential and time on his side.

he's the one thats ran down his contract, not Rohan Smith

When Smith came out and said he wanted to keep him and other young prospects I thought that's him saving face with fans,if Walters has gone it's not a good position to put yourself in.

Who can blame him. Closer to home and real chance of silverware…..

Really disappointed if this is true. Leeds shouldn't be losing 22year olds with loads of potential especially if the coach wanted to keep him.
Could well have played his last game for Leeds.

So you are saying it was offered a new deal a lot earlier and not in the latter stages of this one, if it was the previous then if he as an agent it will be that person told him to go shopping.

why wouldn't he leave for saints?
6 years of rebuilding and leeds are still a shambles of club, shuffling along year after year of mediocrity.
Good luck to him

Indeed Tad

What we don't know is the quality of the offer - he may well have gone back and said 5 years on £20k no thank you and ball is firmly back in the clubs hands who have stuck with their original offer?

Leeds seem to want to waste huge money on very average overseas seeing not paying the young English lads decent money as the sacrifice in the calculations. Strange club in that respect.

is hetherington past his sell by date? did he just get lucky with the golden decade team? his role has to be questioned given the last 6 years

When Leeds had no money it was no surprise the academy flourished in those days. Recruitment was far more focused and Leeds was a club players wanted to play for e.g. Senior, Ellis and the quality of overseas was off the scale.

These days it appears recruitment is not a priority - the club don't seem on it at all these days. Clubs seem so much further on in identifying and securing the players they want. Leeds seem last in line - when they are early they get it wrong e.g. Olpharts.

The academy seems to struggle to develop young players in key positions - that I cannot understand.

I agree. recruitment is way behind the majority of other SL clubs, and has been for years