Referee: P Bentham‬
‪Touch Judges: L Moore, J Smith‬
‪Reserve Referee: N Woodward‬
‪Reserve Touch Judge: Andrew Smith‬
‪Video Referee: B Thaler‬
‪M Com: P Taberner‬
‪Time Keeper: F Hawley‬

Don't think we are in transition now. I think these last two years have been that, a tricky period between the Sinfield era ending and before this new one was ready to start with a core of young players who weren't quite ready to be leaders two years ago. We're got the core of a squad that can go ahead and challenge for the next 4/5 years at least with the odd tweaks (mostly backrow) as you go along.

The two years of McGuire captaincy will probably stand alone in the future either side of two different eras.

Hmm, can't see why. I know you lost Smith in 2010 but he came back that year. The only major transition you had from 2010-2011 was the coach and you gained some good players in Delaney etc. But as long as you had Peacock, McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield, Senior, JJB, in your side you were never really 'in transition' still had all the old guard. But they have gone gradually.

So in all respect, nothing like we had to deal with in 2005 but still gave you a chance to rebuild gradually as you lost players so hopefully the effect of the transition won't be too bad. But now you only have JJB left, still got Ablett and Delaney from what I would call 'the class Leeds team' but nothing compared to the likes of the ones I named above and JJB is on his way out. This is where your real transition happens now. And I for one hope you boys are still up there in the Top 2/4 especially after all the help you have given us over our turbulent years!

signing players like you said was part of the transition we also lost Donald too Senior followedin 2011 and the reason I said transition from 2010 was the fact that other people made that claim after the two fifth place finishes

Aye but losing Donald and Senior 7 years ago isn't half as bad as losing Peacock, McGuire, Sinfield, Burrow, Leuluai etc over the past two-three. Plus I think you did alright blooding Watkins in over a few years to take over from Senior as the strike centre and Donald being replaced by a mixture of Smith/BJB and now Briscoe well, you never really lost much and those players gave you stability too, plenty of tries to make up for Donald too. But I do see where you are coming from.

Aye but both times you finished 5th you were champions so god knows what those people were thinking. I genuinely think 2016 was the only 'bad' season you've had and you still had McGuire/Burrow/JJB the same that won 2017. I know Parcell had a lot to do with that too like. So it's good you have him tied down.

But things do look exciting for Leeds. Young prospects in Walker/Golding vying for Fullback. Very good young prop in Oledzki. And I'm not sure how good A.Sutcliffe and Newman are so can't comment but I can't see Smith or Jordan-Roberts being established first teamers from what I have seen. I'd like to see a good young Leeds half come through the ranks and be a quality player for you. I know the likes of Sinfield/McGuire/Burrow are once in a generation players and it was a pleasure watching my team play against them. Hated them at the time like haha.

19 man squad is pretty much as expected. Ward doesn't make it

Providing those picked are fit to play (namely Garvutt and Dwyer) then should be

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Sutcliffe
Hall
Moon
Myler
Garbutt
Parcell
Singleton
JJB
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Dwyer
Mullally
Peteru
Delaney

Golding and Ornondroyd round off the 19.

Not sure what the current under 19s halves are like, but I know Walker used to play a lot in the halves and may well be tried there in certain games with Golding moving to fullback.

My big worry is that we no longer have halves who know how to boss big games. I believe Moon was called the next Lockyer when in the Brisbane youth team so hopefully now he is more experienced he is ready to become a top halfback.

The good point for us is that in the semi final against Hull we had big plays come from Ward, Singleton and Sutcliffe which hopefully shows that the team does have some DNA of winning that was not just reliant on McGuire, Burrow and Sinfield.

This current group compared with their rivals who will be up there challenging this year match up well for me and I'm reasonably confident we should be there or thereabouts at the end of the year. Compare it with some of the squads between 2002- 2012 at the top end then it wouldn't be a contender but it doesn't have to be at that level so it's a pointless debate. as things currently are in SL I think our transition is pretty much over and there are enough promising young lads who are starting to come of age to keep us ticking over. Only real concern is in the halves, not sold on Myler but hopefully he can prove me wrong.

TBF I've never really been a fan of Myler either, but if he can get us moving around the pitch and hopefully produce on a regular basis then I'll be happy.

Hopefully he see's this as the big opportunity that it is, though I don't envy him the obvious comparisons and grief that are bound to come his way this year.

Who is your kicker this year?

Yep. with Moon basically offering not much more than a running game (as good as it can be, and he can/ will be a match winner for us in that role this year a few times i'm sure) Myler is basically having to fill the boots of three of the greatest play makers we have ever had at the club, which would be a stiff task for even a proven quality consistent half let alone one who has a history of blowing hot and cold so have to cut him a bit of slack.

like you say, big opportunity for him but he can't afford to go missing on a regular basis or it will stand out like a sore thumb in the current set up he is in.

Pretty sure it will be Watkins