In true Hetherington style it will be along the lines of:

''We will scour all available options both at home and in the NRL to replace Lee''......then a few months later when announcing next years squad numbers the number 3 shirt will be left open to tease us then after Coady has impressed in the pre season games it will be ''We think we have identified Coady as a player with huge potential and to show our faith in him we are handing him the number 3 shirt''

All IMO of course

Yeah I'd agree with that. The academy can probably fill the gap left by Smith, but my worry is the gap that will be left by Senior whenever he retires. To replace someone like Senior who has such a big effect on the team is probably beyond the capabilities of the academy and I think the only option is to sign someone. However due to the lack of quality centres in SL this would mean a signing from the NRL.
I dont think this is unreasonable in the circumstances.

You are doug laughton and i claim my £5

I have stayed at my current employer many times in the face of such offers, mostly because I place great value on enjoying my job and working with people I consider to be friends.

That's not to say I'll stay here forever, I'm sure I won't, but money isn't everything.

Not a complaint pal,just an observation on what will happen.

I think that's the problem. Do we look at, effectively, a replacement for Senior now, meaning the 2 of them are first choice centres next season? Does that help or hinder the development of Watkins and co?

Assuming Keith retires at the end of next season then that's the way I'd like us to go; have Keith and A.N Other next year, with the view to having A.N Other and Kallum as first choice in 2011.

Thats a decent approach. I would hope that the powers that be identify the future need and fill it. The question is where do we get someone. Leeds have built their sucess around Keith in many ways, and I'm not sure you would get a top NRL star here for even half the time that Keith has been here.

He has also delivered (or helped to deliver) a sustainable business model and financial stability off the field and one of the most successful periods in the club's history on the field.

Hetherington Out!

Oh yes agreed.. i'm not doubting his excellent leadership. We owe him a great deal of thanks. It just made me laugh because that's what he usually says.

This truly is.. The school of old.

And how long will you be able to continue in your current job compared to the longevity, or lack of it, of a profesional rugby player,of either code.
Making money while you can is sometimes everything