I’d deff give him another year. He’s really won me over. Squad players with the right attitude are hard to find. And he consistently gives his best which in a salary capped sport is what you need. For the wages that he’s on you probably wouldn’t find a much better player.

I'll hold my hands up on this wasn't impressed at all when he was announced but he punches above & always gets stuck in.
However id hope to see Ablett Albert Jjb & Ferres minimum moved on next year that should give us scope for another quality big hitting fwd & with the likes of Merrin Ward Sutcliffe (if he's retained) Martin C.Smith Walters Trout & possibly A. Sutcliffe i dont see a spot for him.

P.s Forgot we have Mellor coming in as well.

On current form he is ahead of Smith. Ward is likely to miss large parts of the season. Some of the other younger players you mentioned are are unproven as yet, if they prove themselves then they may get ahead of him in the pecking order but time will tell. Even with Mellor, Martin and possibly another forward to add to Merrin and Ward there will surely be plenty of chances for Donaldson.

Let's not forget about lads like Trout, Mustapha and Walters who need to be pushed thru the system

I agree they should get a chance and hopefully will do. If they perform like Newman has they may well become a fixture in the side. But if we lose Ferres,JJB and Ablett there should still be room in a 25 man squad for Donaldson.

For me D is where his game is would give home another contract. Ablett, ferres and JJB to go. People rate cam smith but for me is a average plodder would rather him go

*Like*

Id give Cam Smith at least a full year in the BR before writing him off.
Even allowing for Ward being on the pat & mick i dont see Donalson in the top 25 & the next 5 spots HAVE to be jnrs imo.

Worth another year awesome tackles comes on a bit like kylie and smashes the opposition.

Not for me. Much rather see one of our young back rowers getting his minutes.

He has earned another year for me.

Trout needs a full season somewhere for me and I've seen very little from Smith to suggest he is more worthy than Donaldson - though I would still keep Smith.

Off the back of this I see our back three options as Merrin, ward, Martin, mellor, Donaldson, Smith and Sutcliffe next season (JJB, ablett, ferres to leave, trout on a year somewhere).

Then you can reassess Donaldson next year against trout and Smith's progression.