The centre debate is a tricky one but I still stand by what Ive said for a long time. I think Watkins and Gibson are the future centres but I would have liked Leeds to have brought in an old head, done it all centre just to show the lads the ropes and also for back-up. Ive said it many times but what I'm trying to get at is along the lines of when we brought Connelly in to bring Mathers through. Mathers wasn't quite ready when we needed him so Connelly was brought in and showed him the ropes. he did and Mathers took the number 1 shirt off him.

However i think we has missed are chance as I cant think of any worthy centres that we could get right now. I still wonder whether we should have offered Talau a 1 year deal. Then again i think he got a longer deal from Salford which you cant argue him choosing.

Disagree, using Sam Burgess as an example. He got far too much exposure 2 years ago, heaps of expectancy placed on his shoulders (for both Bradford & GB) and the net result is he's a worse player for it. Watkins has a part to play this year, but not as first choice centre

He won't be when webb is back

Is he? I just thought the lad got injured?

the cases are completely different. Burgess is a forward and a class above anything that bradford have. As a result he was relied on, and took a lot on too early. He was in a GB shirt at the end of his first full season.

Watkins, although talented will not be relied upon this season. He should be allowed to gain time in the side, but at no point will he be first choice centre. I think it will rotate with him and Gibson, and maybe even Ablett. This way, he'll get a few starts, and a few sub appearances, and that will be bulked out with some acadamy appearances. If we signed a decent experienced centre then wakins and gibson would be sharing whatever time CentreX and Senior do not play. Won't be good for either party.

The good thing about our centre situation is that if Watkins is looking shattered, or out of his depth or fatigued, then we have Gibson to come in, and visa versa.

FWIW, when Mears had his injury problems, we didn't sign a new hooker, we trusted a young lad called Diskin, when Mullins didn't play, we filled his place with a young calderwood. Carroll/Walker, the list could go on.

Not that I am dissagreeing with you. But you have kind of contradicted your own argument here.

It is obvious that on each of the occassions above that the experience was there, and it was only as a necessity that the inexperienced youngster was used (experienced injured).

The current situation is not the same as that.

And when Diskin was injured which junior took his place?

The key man here is Keith Senior, when he plays Leeds have a goto man. When he doesn't (as unexpectedly) he hasn't in 2 from 5 Leeds don't have a threat at centre.

It really is too much to expect a 17 year old to do that job.

Watkins and Gibson are not front line centres. Senior is. The other jersey will be filled by a combination of Ablett, Watkins and Gibson. Not a million miles away from where we were last year but, actually, even better because Watkins is a year older and more experienced and Gibson getting nearer to full fitness.

Lets do that. I appreciate it doesn't suit your position but it's very relevant. We have a commitment to building the team around our own young players. That means we will have to accept scenarios where players need time to develop, where we may not have an Aussie or Kiwi international in every position. In some cases, like the next year or so whilst our Centres do (or don't) develop it may not be ideal but it's probably worth it.

You see, our commitment to youth policy has proven to be successful. I am sticking by it steadfastly because its; so obviously the right way to go long term. That's not me muddy-ing the waters. That's just the way it is. (der der der der der der der).


As Mr Heron's facial hair pointed out, it's really two positions. Also, they can cover, back row and half. You have to have that in the era of salary cap where you can't stockpile an international as reserve for every position.

Ablett and Smith gives five players with first team experience in that position. Please name me a team that is able to carry on its' books 6 out and out specialist centres that have 1st team experience in that position? That's where the youth policy comes in. If those 5 are struck down then its' ratu, Danny Allan or whoever is next on the production line.

I do see that and I can live with it because I'd hope that by next year our centre partnership is Watkins and Gibson. Letting them share time along side Senior this year with help with that. Of course, if Matt Gidley or Justin Hodges (or anyone of similar quality) suddenly become available and are willing to commit to 2 years plus on a cap friendly figure I'd like us to sign them. I wouldn't be interested in signing a Cameron Phelps or Chris Nero though. I'd rather go with the kids.

On Sunday McShane. By all accounts he did a very good job.



Having a threat isn't the problem. Watkins is a threat. A real threat with ball in hand. Look at the tries he's scored and set up in his brief appearances.

His problem is his defensive awareness and coping with the physical nature. That will come by playing in the 1st team.

Don't worry. When Webb is fit we will have our first choice experienced right centre available to us. Number 3.

A few years later yes but not quite the example I was driving at.

Agreed that's an additional worry. As far as Watkins posing a threat going forward he has great potential but so far one pass to Donald for one try to Donald is a poor return for our potent attacking weapon on the right.



That will be our famous Number 3 who has yet to start a 1st grade game for Leeds at right centre?

No worries our Number 5 had never started a 1st grade game for Leeds on the left wing either before the start of the season.

If senior is missing odd games here and there then I have no problem with it. In all reality he may have played on Sunday, but it was thought better to let him rest his niggle so that it doesn't turn into something worse.

If he picks up a longer term injury then we should look at some cover.

I know. How inconvenient that a junior was ready to step into the first team at this stage when your argument would've been suited to having a Dunneman or a Millard around

Picking up cover isn't easy. Players are contracted to clubs.

Who would you all like the club to sign?

Remember the last centre we picked up, during season as cover? Clinton Toopi. hardly a roaring endorsement for the policy is it.

thats not the point i am making, which was that these young players benefitted and actually became better players because they came through with these old heads around and infront of them to help ease them in, the same as we expect Webb to make Smith and BJB better players, and Buderus will make Diskin and McShane better players, give watkins someone to bring him through



so why not take the pressure off him? there are two centre spots he can play in, having someone else there isnt going to stop us dropping/moving Senior, who will probably be gone in a year,

we would be much much stronger with cover there, and handled right it doesnt have to effect watkins