Well stocked? every man and his dog has said on here all season we needed a centre for next season and replacement for Senior.

We have got lucky in been forced to put Hardaker in there, and he has come up trumps. Ablett shouldn't have to be playing centre for us, he's doing a job and very well done, but it's unfair on the lad himself who would like to play his natural position. Delaney is wasted as a centre, which brings us back to Watkins (the prodigal son and was heir apparent) whom is injured more than playing, and Hardaker who could play anywhere across the back line and star.

We are far from well stocked.

However, with the ridiculous news last week about Senior, I suspect that you may be correct on the agent thing, and that Leeds probably tried to do a deal a couple of months back rather than a couple of days back.

I agree that Ablett and Delaney are better used elsewhere. That said, if we are going to put faith in Watkins staying fit, and Hardaker (unexpected as it is) looks like he has all the tools, wouldn't Welham end up either dislodging one of those or being a rather expensive back-up? I suppose you could argue for moving BJB to full-back long-term and Hardaker to the wing, but I quite like BJB and Hardaker where they are.

So, if we go along with that, we have two very exciting young centres, who have gained some excellent experience this year. Should anything befall either of them, our back-up (for emergency use only) is one centre who has won 2 Grand Finals playing there and another who has played loads of first grade in SL and NRL there. That seems quite well stocked to me!

The issue for me, as I think we agree on, is that Hardaker was so much quicker-than-expected adapting to life there that the urgent need to recruit to replace Senior has really faded a bit, so it seems likely that this would be an approach that Leeds would now have backed quietly away from, if it ever happened.

Of course, if GH and co privately suspect that Watkins' injury situation is chronic (and I sincerely hope that isn't the case) then the need to recruit may still remain.

Doesn't look too shabby at centre at the moment
1) Hardaker
2) Watkins

3) Smith
4) Senior
5) Ablett (back row but proved with 2Gf rings at centre can cover)
6) Delaney

Seems to be a fair bit of cover at the moment. Would prefer to pay a transfer fee to try and replace Ali type back row

I still don't think having only 2 dedicated centres in the team is enough, even at that Hardaker isn't a specialist centre. Welham accompanied with a strike second rower would leave a well balanced squad imo, with no real lack of depth in any position other than arguably hooker depending on where Burrow will play. I am all for bringing in the best English talent available, and other than Atkins and Shenton I would say Welham is up there in super league as one of the best British centres anyway.

Gotcha the coaches moved Hardaker into the centre role playing for the u20's a few months ago that to me says planning rather than luck.
Granted he's adapted quickly to get up to SL standard and no doubts he's still got plenty to learn but to me it seems the club had planned to move him there and even when Wilson played he moved into the back row.

I said no such thing.

I maintained Ablett was actually playing better than most centres in the league in the position. I called for hardaker to be given a run in the position before he was given it. I was happy with Watkins and happy with Delaney and Smith as depth behind those three.

It may have escaped people's attention but we have won two Grand Finals with Carl Ablett at centre. I agree it may not be his best position but there's no doubt he can play it well and we can succeed with him doing so.

I would still rather be in a position where should Watkins or Hardacre get injured we can put a centre in to replace them rather than a makeshift who obviously isn't going to play there long term in Ablett. Nothing wrong with him playing there as you say but it weakens the pack switching him or Delaney around. We obviously started last season with three centres in Delaney, Senior and Watkins, so I would assume we will looking to be doing the same this season, much like the two props brought in for Burgess and Cross, which meant we were two players down all last season.

Welham would be an excellent signing, Watkins hasn't won me over yet.

Welham is barely fit to lace Watkins boots. Watkins is different class, both in terms of now, and in terms of potential.

Totally agree and i think would be an excellent signing.

Watkins is class yes, but he's spending more time of the field than on it, when fit he would be 1st choice for me though

I said every man and his dog. Don't flatter yourself

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