By way of clarification, I'm not in favour of letting Smith go but it might depend on what he feels his worth is. What I meant was that I doubt GH will be drawn into a bidding war over a very much unproven youngster.

As soon as Huddersfield get a few injured players back he will struggle to get a start just as he did at Wakefield - that is where he is.

Everyone was talking about Cameron Smith as being a once in a decade junior ala Sinfield - having watched him in the U19s he looking anything but a once in a decade junior. He doesn't look like he has developed physically - he was a monster as a junior now he looks below average for size - what the hell happened last season?

Who would say is more likely to make it Oledzki or Smith? a year ago you wouldn't have even been having that discussion

I am not sure where you get this view that he was a monster as a junior, he simply wasn't. He was physical yes, but he was of average bigger size of anyone else. His skills were his brain in reading the game, and his passing ability. A lot at junior level were calling on him to be developed as an half, not a forward because of this reason. Leeds were so keen on getting him to first team level, and not wrong IMO, they put him on a fast track weights and build up programme, and went the forward route instead. Immediately on signing his first professional contract, he was informed he would play a maximum amount of games last year while he was on the programme. He went over that by two, because of his England selection. I would like to know which under 19 games you formed your opinion? He wasn't in many because of the restrictions, and in the close season he got injured, and has only been back a month whilst still completing his preseason training.

He will be a top star in the game for many a year. If not here, likely in the NRL, but if other Super League club still a star. Let him recover and complete the programme the club set.

where is it confirmed that Smith's contract expires this year?

So on the basis of him not ripping it up yet in the 19s (in your assessment) despite injury and everything gotcha alludes to, and his brother, whos relatively young for a prop and playing SL, youd get rid of him? Riiiiight

Size wise he was significant larger than virtually every other kid he played against. When he made his debut at Bradford he looked not out of place physically - now when you see him he looks small when compared to even his peer group. Something has gone seriously wrong with his development.

Time will tell it would be criminal if a junior with his potential didn't realise it.

You look at young Walker and you can see he is class and will be a really top player - a bit like McGuire when he first emerged can you say the same about Smith? I hope you are right.

If we're continuing with a 30 man squad next year then I think most of those youngsters will stay (if they want to).

Think McGuire will retire this year but JJB will play on. Burrow will be interesting as Parcell's strong form has limited his game time. Given his groin issues in the last couple of seasons then might want to accept a sub role is what's better for him rather than trying to go be a starter elsewhere.

It isn't just my assessment of the quality of his performances in the U19s. I think some on here are blinded by their view of him as a junior. Let's see it depends on your view of how good he is and whether he can make the transition. The really top quality youngsters would be knocking at the door of the first team.

Daniel Smith is a year younger than Brad Singleton how would compare their development?

I hope he can make that transition if he is good as you all think - then he will be a superstar of the future, time will tell.

A lot depends on what the club feel the younger lads are worth paying at this stage in their careers. The likes of Smith, Lilley etc still very young and with little first team experience but by the same token are on the verge of breaking through, and may be told by their agents they should be paid or good get paid a certain wage which is not in the same bracket as we are willing to go to. We will see what happens over the next couple of months.

I understood lilley signed a 4 year deal a while back

I have seen Smith throughout his career, and certainly from 14's upward he definitely was not larger than every kid on the opposition. He was a stand off for a lot of his junior days. His size came as he got older, not as you suggest. His attributes were not his size, that was a bonus later.

You mention Jack because you have just seen him play a couple of games. Jack is the same as he has always been, always had the talent. His talent is pace, and like Smith reading the game. You ask Jack who is the top players in his age group, and first named would be Smith.

As I understand it, the bulk of the Leeds squad are out of contract by the end of 2018. The only back with a longer deal is Watkins plus Ferres, Garbutt, parcell, ward and ormondroyd in the pack.
So lots for GH/McD to ponder and should mean some hungry players for rest of this year and next.
Like others think Mc Guire will bow out this year. with JJB what he provides at training and in and around the dressing room means the whole package is worth more than just the still high level of graft on the park.
However, as a group the Leeds pack lacks pace/mobility and I would not want to see him go on too long.

Smith has suffered a lot with injuries so would seem strange to not retain him and give him chance to develop. Last I saw him, he seemed to be carrying his left foot in an unnatural way when running. don't know if he has suffered a bad left leg/ankle injury in the past but it looked a bit awkward. Hopefully was just a temporary issue.