First and second choice fullback injured
3 out of 4 wingers injured
2 out 3 centres injured (not counting Simpson) both first choice out.
First choice halves out.
Literally only 1 off our first 1-7 available.

High class player all be it considerable baggage becomes available, we really had to make the deal.
See what happens for next year. At best another 12 months tolling or even 6 months

We have underperformed and are badly struggling with injuries but we are not that bad we should be considering Hardaker.

Why would it? I get a feeling that his abilities are being exaggerated by some to justify what an absolutely awful decision the club has made. I remember when the club used to hold itself in a higher regard and claimed to have higher standards than other SL clubs. I also remember GH being particularly outspoken about clubs signing players from the NRL who'd misbehaved.

Rod Studd has just made a very good point on Twitter - the most important individual at any club is the one that recruits the players. Who is behind our recruitment?

Studd is pretending to be ignorant. Everyone knows how it works at Leeds, Hetherington does the negotiating but the coach has buy in on signings. Whenever he gets another DOR in that will change slightly. None of Leeds' head coaches have ever had an issue with how this works.

Rohan Smith will have had virtually no input into this except probably getting some assurances from GH that Zak would be fine. What input could he have other than what's on here - on paper he'll improve the team but he sounds like a tool.

Rohan Smith was alerted when the loan possibility came up and then he authorised the move. He’s also had a conversation with Hardaker as well as his agent.

I'd love to think it could increase the crowd by 5K, but I don't think it will. We've just pulled in 11k for Toulouse, who will have brought little or no support. KR are playing well and they do have good away support so given that it's not on TV I'd maybe expect 13k. I just cannot see Zac's presence bumping it up to 18K. I'd be amazed and delighted if we managed 15. Don't get me wrong, his presence will definitely strengthen what is at present a very weak line up.

The last home game is saw vs KR had 24k!
That was 2009. First game of season. Jake Webster looked good for them . We win it by a late try from Smithy from a kick by Maggsy I believe…..

Hardaker signing won't increase the crowd by 1%. He is half the player he was for Leeds previously and Cas. No-one will go to the game just because of him signing.

This never happened.

Our home league fixture against them drew in 16,192. We also played them at home in the play offs - the fixture where Chev Walkers shin stuck out though his sock - was attended by 11,220

Was that 24k listening in on the radio?

Been a long long time since we had 24k crowd at Headingley, back in the hay day of the Bulls i beleive..

The Magic Rat - as ever - has it spot on. Leeds could regret what they have done.

By the way - the elasticity in Leeds Salary Cap is quite remarkable isn`t it?

Which is why I wonder if this is really short term only. Sign this year for a pittance, keep your nose clean and we'll sort a better deal for next season.