Still, it's nice to have the option of recruiting such players, we don't have this option due to offering stupidly long contracts to players who now offer very little, hence the signing of Cross.

Next season:

We're pretty much guaranteed to be losing Senior and Ali.

There are questions, for various reasons, over whether Webb, Leuluai, or Burgess will stay.

And there's no guarantee that JP will come back from injury as the dominant player he was.

On top of this, many (myself included) would prioritise the recruitment of a new scrum-half.

Demanding times for the Sleeve.

Quote: craigizzard "Next season 1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/

Quote: craigizzard "Next season 1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/

1. Brent Webb (2011)- Keep, 1 more year.
4. Keith Senior (2011)- Let Go.
8. Kylie Leuluai (2011)- Keep 1 more year.
10. Jamie Peacock (2011)- Depends on how he returns from injury.
14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011)- Let go.
16. Ryan Bailey (2011)- Keep 2 more years.
17. Ian Kirke (2011)- Let go.
18. Luke Burgess (2011)- Let go (obvious he wants to go to Aus)
31. Callum Casey (2011)- Haven't seen enough to comment.

Yes indeed. Like the stupidly long contracts given to Watkins, Hall, Clarkson and BJB.

Perhaps if Saints had tied up their young star (eastmond) to a similarly stupidly long contract they wouldn't have had to go out and sign another foreigner.

Agreed.

I'm sure JP will be ok.. it'll take him time but he's a legend - would re sign him for 2 more years.

Wonder how much cap space this would create releasing the above.. i'd hope plenty

Not arguing with the youngsters getting long term deals if they warrant them, which Watkins, Hall and BJB do if you ask me. But why the hell did we resign Lauitiiti despite him offering little for the best part of 2 years now?! Similarly, why has Senior been allowed to stay on for so long despite getting progressively worse and no doubt on very good money?!

Agreed, but we know what he's saying.. i took it he's referring to keeping Ali n Keith too long..

I hope not... for me he's been looking somewhat back to near best this season..

I would agree with that if it is possible.

For me we made a mistake not getting Shenton this year, I would like to think we will not make the mistake again. Arundel is better than Shenton and will be a future start, I would love Leeds to sign him and play him with Watkins in the centres. I would also love us to make it a double signing from Cas by getting Owen with him.

Patrick from Huddersfield would be a senstional signing for any super league side.

Of that list I'd try and retain Peacock, Bailey, Leuluai and possibly Burgess. The latter may want to go to Australia but will they want him? No point letting him go to another SL club. Can Buderus really do another season?

Despite his quality passing Webb still isn't the player we signed, and Lauitiiti isn't either. Along with Senior this should give Leeds space to bring in some quality players - maybe a proper right centre if Smith doesn't work out, and a big impact forward in the mould of Eastwood.

What about this for a backline of homegrown players:

1. BJB
2. Hardaker
3. Smith
4. Watkins
5. Hall

I never mentioned it in the post but I was also thinking along the lines of Arundel and Owen, I'm not sure what nationality Ratchford is but I would look at him for cover in the half's. I see as an overseas recruitment someone like Junior S'au is off contract and would be a good replacement for Senior imo, although Arundel and Watkins should be the future.