1.
2. Thomas Minns, 2013
3. Jimmy Keinhorst, 2013
4. Josh Walters, 2014
5. James Duckworth, 2013
6. Liam Sutcliffe, 2013
7. Luke Briscoe, 2014
8. Brad Singleton, 2011
9. Robbie Ward, 2014
10. Rob Mulhern, 2014
11. Elliot Minchella, 2013
12. Alex Foster, 2013
13. Stevie Ward, 2012

That's one short of an entire XIII from the academy been given their Leeds debuts in the last 3 years, all under McDermott.

Not to mention Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, McShane & Clarkson, all given significant opportunities within the last few seasons by McDermott.

The objective is not to keep 'the best academy lads out of each year', it's to build the best rugby squad we can, that gives us the best shot of winning silverware. Some years that may mean taking four or five players. Some years it may mean taking none.

You could put Baldwinson in there too couldn't you? Then put S Ward at 6 and move Briscoe to fullback and there's the complete set.

Although they've now moved on, also Liam Hood (2012) and George Elliot (2011).

L Briscoe
Minns Keinhorst Walters Duckworth
S Ward Sutcliffe
Singleton R Ward Mulhern
Mulhern Foster
Minchella

Ash Hamdley signs new full time three year deal starting from 2015 m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/spo ... -1-6692623

Ash Hamdley signs new full time three year deal starting from 2015 m.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/spo ... -1-6692623

Indeed, sometimes having the right attitude, the ability to adher to club discipline, ethos and to fit within the club structure itself is far more valuable than most other attributes.

Those are attributes that Hetherington values very highly & sometimes that means we lose players who either don't fit in or who value themselves at more than the club is prepared to pay.
Those who remain, though, create the exceptional team spirit that has led to our continuing success.

Well deserved for Handley and a more than capable prospect to step into the 1st team if needed.
I can see him getting a loan move next year to gain more F/T 1st team RL it will be interesting to see who else is retained.
Also Worlds apart "building the squad" from within the academy won't work if those players are not good enough hence the focus on retaining the best from within it.
Its fair to say they also have to the right attitude etc but to say its not about retaining the elite of what's produced is way off the mark.

Josh Walters new three year deal added to the list.

Good news! He's looked the part so far.

Well deserved and in the team on merit!

Yes, massive legs!

I wonder if the people who suggested he'd only been selected to justify the partnership between the Rhinos and the RU team still feel the same way given his performances so far...

I think there was only one who suggested that, and to be fair to the guy he actually asked the question rather than put it down. Voicing that on performances he could not see why he was ahead of two others in the same position. Who is to say the other two wouldn't have been even better?

I think you might have got confused with the Yates signing, as that one was a fair few, me included who questioned whether that was just to justify the partnership.