the same does hold true for halves. We have 5 halves at the club. Lilley Golding McGuire Sutcliffe and Burrow. All had played SL before their 19th birthday. Of those older than 20, all were regulars by twenty

Brierley has zero SL experience. He has played 90 odd games at semi pro level largely against semi pro players.

it is rather silly to think a player who has never played SL is ahead of one who had

and how many of those other 20 are 3 or 4 years in to their pro careers? Brierley is 24 in a couple of months, he will be 25 by next season when he would move to Leeds. He would then be playing his first year of SL gaining his first pro experience. He is way behind his cohort, he is way behind younger cohorts. For him to step up at 25 would be unheard of. For him to do it for a top 4 team would be unbelievable

Chris Hill may have been 24 when he moved to wire but he still had a year of SL under his belt.

Brierley has been out of academy level for 6 years and will have been 7 by the time he supposedly moves to Leeds. And every other half in the league has lots of games against adults in a better team in a better competition by his age because they had stepped up to first grade.

If this isn't such a crazy idea give me an example of a half who plays his first pro game at 25 and goes on to have a successful career? Give me an example of a half playing now who by 23 hadn't played 2 or 3 years of regular SL rugby?

Ah, you're in this kind of mood. I'll just leave it here then.

It's not my fault your claims were demonstrably untrue. All I asked for was a successful example of what you are claiming. Don't pretend this is somehow you being treated poorly.

The fact is that most halves are playing first grade RL 6 or 7 years before Brierley, and are first team regulars at least 4 or 5 years before him. It is practically unheard of in the pro era for a player to start playing in SL at 25 and go on to be a top class player, especially in the halves.

As I said, I'll leave it here.

It's become apparent that would be best for you.

Now Now Children. It's about the Golden Egg Cups.

I don't think Brierley's age is the problem but his skillset. His main attributes seem to be pace and support play, two things already well covered by Sutcliffe, Burrow and McGuire. The area of concern for fans seems to be whether our halves have the ability to control a game and if they have a good long kicking game, both of which I believe Brierley is lacking from my admittedly limited viewing. If we're determined to bring in a half then I'd much rather sign an experienced player who can act as mentor to Sutcliffe and Lilley instead of a project signing.

Edited for accuracy.

I almost agree entirely. But Brierley's age is a problem because he is a project signing which limits his upside. And if when McGuire and Burrow go we don't want to take a punt on Lilley or Golding we can go get a proven talent

If we are going to take a punt, the upside of the players we have is far greater than a 25 year old championship player.

we can all edit for accuracy.

I'm eating a bag of crisps.

I'd agree with that. My only reservation would be as to who would be available that would properly full that role of mentor and an experienced player. We'd be looking for an NRL player really and top Aussies are very expensive.
But if there's one available I'd be happy with say a 30 year old half back for around 3 years to help the likes of Sutcliffe and Lilley.

Why I'd be interested in Brierley is of that option isn't available and if we lose McGuire & Burrow. Then we'd have 2 very young and inexperienced halves in Sutcliffe and Lilley with a huge amount of pressure on them.

If we assume both Burrow and McGuire will retire at the end of the 2017 season then Sutcliffe will be 23 with hopefully two years of being our first choice stand off under his belt and Lilley and Golding will be 21 with decent SL experience. Ideally we would like an experienced playmaker who can also play elsewhere if need be on a two year contract.

My personal choice would be to make a bid for Cooper Cronk. He will be 34 at the start of the 2018 season and will probably struggle to get a major gig in the NRL. He reminds me a lot of Sinfield and hopefully 15-20 games a year and the opportunity to make his mark on some young and exciting half backs will appeal to him.

I think McGuire and Burrow will be around for at least another two years, especially if Sutcliffe and Lilley are seen as long term replacements. With the loss of Sinfield we need Mags and Rob to really stand up and be counted in the leadership role. We still don't know how Sutcliffe will go after is injury or how long it will take for him to regain full fitness/confidence etc .

I have no idea about any deal done with Brierly but should he come in for 2017 to partner Sutcliffe/Lilley or to replace the older McGuire/Burrow it wouldn't be the end of the world.