It wasn't that long ago that Senior pulled Shenton's pants down in a big way.

I can understand your sentiment and succession planning is important but you play the best player, regardless of age and Shenton remains unfit to lace Senior's boots, even at the opposite ends of the age spectrum.

if we are handing out contracts on the first 14 games then I would think half the squad would be having a few sleepless nights! I disagree it is relevant. senior is still as good as any centre in the comp. maybe bring in a player to fight him for his shirt like shenton or go for a marque nrl centre like Jennings, lawerence, cooper, matai(nz), idris, morris bros, tait. but those players are hard to get due to rep footie. but If folau, hodges, inglis and hayne are fit none of those lads get a look in so are signable but very unrealistic.

Also toopie played well today at 4 as the titans over turned manly!

My opinions on the above contracts and recruitment, for what it's worth:

Bailey:

Easy decision, new contract. Retain.

JJB:

Ditto.

Lauititi:

Obviously try to keep Ali at the club as long as possible. He's still our main threat. Whether he wants another contract is up to him. If not no doubt another ball-playing second row will be signed from New Zealand.

Donald:

Again, it's more up to the player (family circumstances). He's still one of SLs best wingers.

Senior:

Time's got to be up at some stage, and we have to work the payroll so we precede that event. Shenton's coming in anyway it appears, right or wrong.

Diskin/Buderus:

Interesting which one is retained (or neither). Buderus is the superior player, but if he's let go then there's Diskin/McShane for hooker and cap and quota space for what we really need: a top class leading prop (Blair?) as Peacock's playing time lessens (if Lauititi or Donald are replaced cheap and English then there still may be space retaining Buderus and ditching Diskin. There are some interesting decisions for GH this off-season.)

like you I share your understanding of gotchas semtiment. But completely agree with you. senior is still one of if not the best sl centre, if it's up for debate then I'm sure a few would disagree but there is nobody in sl who obviously better.

Donald, Buderus, Bailey and Ali for me.

Senior and Diskin have been great servants to Leeds but both especially the latter are regressing far too quickly.

Salford are calling.

Keep Diskin and McShane

Let Buderus go and use the £££ wisely on the squad.

what about letting both hookers go and signing Lunt who has turned down a new contract?

Or keep loyal Diskin.

Cut ties with Buderus.

Let Burrow be bench number 9. Where he can pick up and run and be most effective and maybe sign a new 7. To assist keeping the halves and the team fresh.

The only person mentioned by the OP and not commented upon (on this thread anyway...as far as I can see) and could be just about the most important decision is.....Bluey

I appreciate GH does things on the quiet behind the scenes as opposed to creating/commenting on gossip and speculation but half way through the season and no public announcement on whether Bluey will be here next season or not?

I would have thought,ideally sorting out your coach is something that needs to take place before player recruitment/retention can take place given his role in some/all of those player decisions.

My thoughts exactly, surely if we were to get a new coach it would be up to them who to retain and who to let go. There's no point in building a squad that Bluey wants if his future is uncertain. Until we know who the coach is for next year, I don't see a point in making these decisions just yet.

Ohh I wouldnt say Senior is out of contract

1. Brent Webb (2011)
2. Scott Donald (2010)
3. Brett Delaney (2012)
4. Keith Senior (2010) for now


5. Ryan Hall (2013)
6. Danny McGuire (2013)
7. Rob Burrow (2013)
8. Kylie Leuluai (2011)
9. Danny Buderus (2010)
10. Jamie Peacock (2011)
11. Jamie Jones Buchanan (2012)
12. Ali Lauitiiti (2010)
13. Kevin Sinfield (2011)
14. Matt Diskin (2010)
15. Greg Eastwood (2012)
16. Ian Kirke (2011)
17. Luke Burgess (2011)
18. Carl Ablett (2014)
19. Ryan Bailey (2010)
20. Jay Pitts (2012)
21. Kyle Amor (2012)
22. Mike Coady (2012)
23. Kallum Watkins (2012)
24. Luke Ambler (2010)
25. Paul McShane (2012)
26. Thomas Bush (PT)
27. Chris Clarkson (PT)
28. Lee Smith (2013)

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Simon Worrall (Toulouse Loan) (2010)
Dane Manning (Featherstone Loan) (2011)
Ben Jones Bishop (Harlequins RL Loan) (2012)