Can't tell if joking or not..

Really?

Tom Briscoe is a fantastic player. One I noted on here before it was fashionable to do so.

Sounds local too? Not a cod ed. Cas, fev area maybe?

Just checked it's fev

You do realise if we had Briscoe, our 2012/13/14 back line could be made up any 5 of Smith, BJB, Watkins, Hall, Briscoe & Hardaker?

Wonder what the odds would be on that being the future England back line at the same time?

Featherstone I believe. Edit, oh right.

He's looked the real deal since around 2008 but copped a bad ankle injury I think it was that slowed his progress, great spot by Heatherington (Mrs unfortunately)



Pretty distant.

At least two would be injured and with Smith (since his return from Union) being well errr let's say 'average' for want of a better word, he should be nowhere near International recognition. Granted it's a potential future selection.

Definatley would have TB at Leeds, move Delaney into SR to replace Ali and have him in his place... but unfortunatly cannot see it as he is not out of contract.



I disagree with you. Id like us to keep hold of Kylie Leulaui for another year and Luke Burgess (not likely with NRL involved). I think we will bring in a quality NRL Forward or two to replace Ali/Kirke/Burgess. We have Chris Clarkson to replace Ali Lauitiiiti imo. Bring Luke Ambler back and sign a Quality forward from the NRL. Id like to see us try and shed off Ben Cross to NRL or retirement to bring in someone better (unlikely).

Next season we could line up with:

1. Ben Jones-Bishop
2. Lee Smith
3. Brett Delaney
4. Kallum Watkins
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Danny Buderus
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield
14. *new player*
15. Ben Cross
16. Ryan Bailey
17. *new player*
18. Chris Clarkson
19. Weller Hauraki
20. Paul McShane
21. Luke Ambler
22. Jay Pitts
23. Kyle Amor
24. Brad Singleton
25. Jarred Stewart
26. Zak Hardaker
27. Kyle Amor
28. Mike Coady
29. Liam Hood
30. Stevie Ward

Chris Clarkson to replace Ali Lauititi? We're back to McShane/Cunningham comparisons there...

In the "winning years" I'd say that our two absolute gamebreakers, the players you'd want to get on the ball 15 yards from the opposition line, even when McGuire and Senior were on song, were Webb and Lauititi. We'll likely be losing both for next year.

What we'll be lacking, and will ideally sign, is a forward who can worry defences and do something different at big moments, especially come playoff time. Perhaps Hauraki was signed with this in mind, and I wouldn't write him off yet. But Clarkson is definitely not that player. TBH, and this sounds harsher than I mean it to be, he'll be a replacement for (and hopefully improvement on) Kirke as a reliable nothing fancy, no offloads, no injuries back-row squad player.

I would agree with that. But we actually have potentially a better back rower than Hauraki and Clarkson, in Carvill. Whether they develop him right and get him first team game time quickly enough is another matter though. But potentially we do have the player.

I don't want to go back to knocking kirke because his performances have improved imo but Clarkson is and will be twice the player Kirke is and as for being a "back up" squad player he's proving hard to drop already.

Although I too would suggest Clarkson is much more valuable than Kirke....I pretty much agree with all you state. As Gotcha states maybe Carvill will provide some answers.

Without a doubt any further quota player that the club signs MUST be exceptional...AND to cover a position with the less adequate cover.

No more Cross's; Delaneys or indeed Buderus's (exceptional talent though he is). Priority should always be given to the young home grown talent IMO.

Hauraki is no where near Ali at his best. If that is our reason for signing him we have gone for a very cheap option.
Agree clarkson is not a replacement for Ali, more replacement for kirke and is a million times better. IMO if ablett can be kept in the back row rather than been constantly shifted around will become one of best back rows in Sl

My predicted Leeds squad 2012
1 [New Full Back] (Clint Greenshields?)
2 Smith
3 Delaney
4 Watkins
5 Hall
6 McGuire
7 Burrow
8 Leuluai
9 Buderus
10 Peacock
11 Jones Buchaanan
12 Ablett
13 Sinfield
14 McShane
15 [New Signing]
16 Bailey
17 [New Signing] (Jason King?)
18 Jones Bishop
19 Hauraki
20 Gledhill
21 Clarkson
22 Pitts
23 Amor
24 Hardaker
25 Ambler
26 Hood
27 Singleton
28 Coady
29 Stewart
30 Ward
31 Wilson
32 Kettlewell
Outs
Ian Kirke
Ali Lauitiiti
Brent Webb
Keith Senior
Ben Cross (Retirement??), if not takes no 15
Luke Burgess (NRL)

Ins (Not rumours just guesses)
Clint Greenshield (replace Webb)
Jason King (replace Cross)
Ben Gledhill (replace Luke Burgess)
Ryan Boyle (replace Kirke)

Quote: benduke15 "15 [New Signing] Ben Cross (Retirement??), if not takes no 15'" Still under contract at Leeds for 2012 : www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/r ... 6574666.jp

Quote: benduke15 "15 [New Signing] Ben Cross (Retirement??), if not takes no 15'" Still under contract at Leeds for 2012 : www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/r ... 6574666.jp