Agree with this. Competition and cover for a place can only benefit the team. For me the one player who should be busting a gut to keep his place is Hurrell. Even at a reduced salary he is at this moment not value for money. Now if this is because we are not creating enough space / chances for him that is another matter.I think Martin has done enough to warrant a contact extension. In Thompson can the club justify using a quota spot?

Reading between the lines here, Leeds are signing Austin as a half. The fact he might be able to cover some other positions is a bonus, but Agar talks about recruiting depth into every position, and they identified that half back was a weak area.

The club isn't going to put it in the public domain that they're frustrated with Gale and want a decent back-up if he gets injured/throws his toys/gets suspended/loses form next year.

Gale will get that, and either choose to stay and fight for his place, or go somewhere else. I suspect he will stay with the intention of finishing his career off with Leeds (on a no doubt decent contract). By the way I wouldn't fault Gale's commitment to the club and his passion for it, and he is still a quality player on his day no doubt.

This also throws a decision at McLelland, whether he's willing to sit behind three first grade half backs or get first team elsewhere.

I imagine the 1-year makes sense for both. If Austin forces his way in, he gets an upgraded and extended contract with the funds released when Gale finishes (can't see him being retained after this contract).

Overall, decent signing in context. I'd like to see something at Wing or FB and I still wonder whether we are light one specialist prop but those are relatively minor issues now. We should have a very competitive side next season.

I only see Austin playing at 6 I don't really buy this squad player thing. You play your best team on for mine Sezer and Austin look the best fit. Gale on the bench would be a total waist. I agree about the front row and that could happen if Martin and Hurrell are not retained. We then may have enough to sign a winger also. If we don't sign a prop then I think it will be a given that Vuniyayawa is retained.

I don't think so, but he has another year.

Thompson has another year on his contract which i doubt will be renewed.Martin is playing well but we are over loaded in the back row.I would rather we use the Hurrel and Martin monies to sign a prop and winger.

I think we'll play with split halves, and Austin will play full back.

Why when Myler is one of the best full backs in the league and we have Jack Walker coming back?

I like how Myler has risen to the challenge of Full Back. His positional play is much improved, he's very brave, and he's really sharpened up the left side. On the other hand he's rarely seen on the right. Top. Full backs generally have the athleticism to attack down both flanks. Think Austin, where ever he plays, can do this.

I think he's definitely been signed due to his excellent relationship with Sezer and most definitely to put pressure on Gale.
I really like how Austin has said he wants to earn a longer deal long term and prove himself to the club. That's a great honest attitude.

Well done Leeds, that's a very shrewd buy.

Has Austin played there before?
Next season I expect Myler and Walker to battle it out for the fullback spot.

I'm still not convinced Walker will play in the first team too often next season. I think the club will be very careful with him and he'll play mostly in the reserves.
Myler has been great, but I think Austin could be even better in that position. If he'd have come through a few years later, he'd probably have been a FB anyway.

I'd say the initial intention is a 6/7 combination with Sezer and Austin. Having effectively an NRL first grade half back combination (admittedly maybe not on current form) is a rare treat for a SL club.

If Walker doesn't make it, and Myler is injured or whatever, at least in Austin we have a credible cover. The only other worthwhile options we have are L Sutcliffe and Broadbent, who I'd much rather see develop at centre/wing.

Austin will get game time for sure next year. The other thing is that this signing helps with our pre-season prep. It gives us more skill, more for Sean Long to work with, and more options to play with. Contrast that with this recent pre-season where we didn't have a fit half back throughout pretty much.

It's also a sign of how far the club has come. Other clubs and players can see Leeds is on the rise again now, it's a club people want to join again. That in itself makes us more dangerous as we can attract better quality players (and juniors) without having to pay ransoms because we're a basket case.

If Walker's operation has been successful then there is no reason why Walker shouldn't be pushing for the number 1 spot.

Very good signing for me.
We all said we needed a running 6 to complement the organising 7.
And we were all a bit perplexed when the club signed Sezer, as we already had Gale.
Sezer and Austin makes perfect sense and I think it signals the end for Gale.
He may well sit out the year at Leeds, but given his average performances and ridiculous suspensions, he will be third choice.
I think we retain Martin and release Hurrell.
A new prop depends on what we do with King.
We do need a winger, but both Briscoes have done OK lately (other than the odd Tom brain fart).
Club might leave that until next year.
Also, Myler has been a revelation at FB, so no urgency for that. We can ease Walker back in and keep using Myler there.
Bentley, Sezer, Austin and most importantly Prior is very good business so far.

Can't think of a year in recent memory that our recruitment has been anywhere near this good.