Surprised that given this news (and I assume he's going to be our frontline 9 next season), that we haven't seen McShane all that much in the latter half of the season.

Team selections this season are about winning games this season, not preparing players for 2012.

The best balance to the side in the closing part of this season has been Sinfield and McGuire in the halves, Buderus at hooker and Burrow operating off the bench.

To include McShane, you'd have to leave one of those four out of the 17 IMO and I don't see how doing that would strengthen the side and give it the best chance of winning the next game.

Good news glad to see mcshane signing a new deal

Who knows.....

Maybe Grand Final 2011 winner, maybe even Harry Sunderland winner?
Maybe neither

The old saying of 'you dont know what you've got till its gone' springs to mind. 4 year deals for our 2 reserve hookers tells me that not only is DB going, but its unlikely he'll be replaced. That worries me as I don't think either McShane or Hood is ready for a full season at 9. Hope I'm proved wrong.

You'll have to overcome you dislike of all things antipodean to see just what DB brings to the team. He has been in exceptional form this year - just a shame the rest of his pack colleagues have been so inconsistent. His anticipated departure is a big loss in my opinion.

AJC ,there were similar fears when Diskin was thrown in at the deep end when Mears departed and we know how that turned out.
I have no doubts both will add something to the team/squad and we also have the option (although i prefer 6,7,9and 13 to stay in their places) of putting RB in there for stints.

That is a very go................................flagging another overseas signing that cried off home.

WHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA

To be fair Diskin was very average until TS came in, and encouraged him to run from DH more. It took him a good couple of years before he started looking like the player of 2004. I'd like to see both of them given a chance next year but I just hope they're given a decent run in the team and people accept that they will need time to improve.

Absolutely, hope one or the other (preferably both!) prove me wrong.

I know I shouldn't rise to G1's bait but to ridicule Buderus' input to the team - in a year which has average at best so far - is hugely disappointing from some-one who clearly knows a bit about the game. Southstanders own player of the season poll has him as the best forward for 2011!

No wonder Keith thinks there's some tools on here

Coz if you want that you have to spend big bucks on Aussies don't you?

It would be nice to see Buderus achieve those levels. It would remind me of when we last had a hooker who truly was a dominant player within the team.

Quite. I do miss Matt Diskin,


It doesn't worry me in the slightest and we won't know whilst ever there are ageing Aussies who really don't want to be here other than as a means of topping up a pension blocking their career path.

I think you've overstated his contribution. He's been good to very good. We'll perform to the same level after he's gone as a team but sadly I think it will be a while before we perform, as a team, to the levels we reached before he came.

Interesting, you use a poll on Southstander.com to support your argument then agree with Senior who derided the posters on Southstander.com as tools. Even more interesting, you're posting on Southstander.com and implying agreement with Senior's opinions.

Whilst I don't agree fully with G1 on DB. I think he is a very good player and offers something to the team. Although I do agree that we won't ever see the best of hood and mcshane with buderus blocking there development, and not concerned by his departure, quite happy for them to get there chance

Maybe McDermott's going - I'm a positive tool.

Correct me if I'm wrong but it was Disko who reneged on his contract. Now he's injured and his business interests are of far greater importance to him than playing for the Bulls.

Leeds let Disko go at the right time & his season has proved GH correct

the future bright the future at 9 is Mcshane and hood

cannot help wondering where NE is?

I wonder who G1 will have the knives out for next season ?

Kirke might need to have very very broad shoulders and an extremely tough carapice

Good news both hookers signed ...

Burrow will never make a first choice starter in the role....but interchange dummy half from the bench is still his most effective position.