On current form he is ahead of Smith. Ward is likely to miss large parts of the season. Some of the other younger players you mentioned are are unproven as yet, if they prove themselves then they may get ahead of him in the pecking order but time will tell. Even with Mellor, Martin and possibly another forward to add to Merrin and Ward there will surely be plenty of chances for Donaldson.

Let's not forget about lads like Trout, Mustapha and Walters who need to be pushed thru the system

I agree they should get a chance and hopefully will do. If they perform like Newman has they may well become a fixture in the side. But if we lose Ferres,JJB and Ablett there should still be room in a 25 man squad for Donaldson.

For me D is where his game is would give home another contract. Ablett, ferres and JJB to go. People rate cam smith but for me is a average plodder would rather him go

*Like*

Id give Cam Smith at least a full year in the BR before writing him off.
Even allowing for Ward being on the pat & mick i dont see Donalson in the top 25 & the next 5 spots HAVE to be jnrs imo.

Worth another year awesome tackles comes on a bit like kylie and smashes the opposition.

Not for me. Much rather see one of our young back rowers getting his minutes.

He has earned another year for me.

Trout needs a full season somewhere for me and I've seen very little from Smith to suggest he is more worthy than Donaldson - though I would still keep Smith.

Off the back of this I see our back three options as Merrin, ward, Martin, mellor, Donaldson, Smith and Sutcliffe next season (JJB, ablett, ferres to leave, trout on a year somewhere).

Then you can reassess Donaldson next year against trout and Smith's progression.

Hopefully we get a decent start and some youngsters start getting a few games. There's barely been chance to do that over the back end of this year.

I wouldnt be letting Donaldson go personally. I think hes been a shrewd signing and definitely worth another season off the back of this one.

Got to agree with this. Not every squad member can be a superstar and he is a graffter, well worth another year in my opinion

I'd extend Smith's contract for a year if that's what you mean but I wouldn't be selecting him for that year if he didn't step up from his current level.

Very good signing for me and will always give you a 7/10 performance.
With Donaldson I was thinking if he could spare Dwyer at acting half instead of Smith.
He can certainly tackle and has a decent pass on him too.
Without doubt he deserves another year even with our youngsters coming through.

Smith probably needs time to work out what kind of player he is and then work his arris off to get there. If he wants to be a ball handling loose forward he needs to make sure he's at the right club as well.

For me retaining Donaldson would be mainly to show that hard work gets rewarded, which is not a bad message for the squad.