He does indeed look to be developing rapidly. I really like the guy.

Any chance of him comming to Wakey on a free?.

Yeah, with Webb, Lauitiiti and Buderus we already have replacements in the squad who are as good, if not better. We do need a quality centre though and although he is 30+ I would go for Matt Cooper for 2 years to let Wilson develop behind him. He is still ia top 5 centre in the NRL and will be in SL in some form next season.

Cooper will be 32 next year. He still looks quality, but so did Keith at that age. It's a risk as to whether they turn out to be a Menzies or a Senior in their last years.

The difference IMO though is that Cooper still looks as good now as Keith did in his prime. I know he will be 32 but he is still all quality and if we are serious about Wilson it would do him more good to learn off one of the best centres the Aussies have produced rather than be thrown straight in. Any centre would be short term right now so why not one of Coopers standard?

With Exchange Rates the way they are, and with the proposal of an increased SC in the NRL, you will only see Top Quality Aussies over here when they are either right at the end of their career, or they are looking for an extra year or two over the offers they are receiving from NRL clubs.

SL in general, and Leeds in particular will have to decide if they want to pick up the top quality older "stars" or if they want to take on the younger players who haven't quite made rep footy. I suppose the decision should be made based on what kids you have coming through at your club, an if you want them to learn from an ageing master and therefore you can wait a year or two for them to learn and mature, or if your need is more immediate and you have to sign a player who will play first grade for you for many years.

Oh and there will also be the Hauraki's and Cross' in the mix too, but given what they have both added to us this year, we would have been wise moving in the market earlier to secure something a bit better I think.

Always rumours going around of players coming and going. Will believe it when I see it, until then just rumours.

Fair enough. I did think Cooper was a good call when you made it, but was looking for reasons why not. If we can't get a Jennings, and we have kids capable of being developed over two years, then Cooper would be a fair shout for the same reasons Buderus has been.

Spoke to Ali a few days ago and he said it's rubbish about him and Webb going. Not true at all.

As for going for Matt Cooper do we really want a team of old men ?

We want players that we can get a good amount of years out of not just 1 or 2 seasons.

TBF Leeds would be foolish to keep Webb and Ali because for one, they will have decent contracts and also they have both been a shadow of their former selves since the serious injury's they suffered. Both great servants to the club but we have ready made replacements on lower wages (more than likely).

Oh, and as far as the OP goes. It's amazing what a call from Bennett does to a player. Matt Cooper was ready to sign for a SL club last year but Bennett took over as Saints coach and gave him a call telling him he needed a player like that at the club. 2 years later and he hasnt looked back. The Dragons may want to spend his cap money on a younger player though next season and its pretty much nailed on that he's leaving.

He is still world class though. And as I said above, Ashton Wilson looks to be a cracking prospect who I would like to see in the opposite centre position to Watkins in the future. He's not ready yet though so it would benefit him to learn off a great.

It's never happen because he'll be after a place in the aussie team but if and when Webb goes would have loved to see Ben Barba at Leeds.

Cooper in the Aussie team?

Inglis, Hodges, Idris, Morris and a few more are ahead of him mainly due to age. He's better than Idris and Morris though.

As for Beni Barber! It's never going to happen

He is the next Australian full back IMO after Slater. There's alll this talk about Josh Duggan being the next number 1 but I dont think he's as good as what's been made of him. Barba has the X Factor and i'd hate to see him leave the Dogs... ever!