We twisted his arm to come in the first place. You shouldn't touch anyone who is clearly as unkeen as he was. He only came because we offered him a long deal on great money - he was still contracted at the Panthers and as a NSW and Aus regular would have got a gig in the NRL eventually.

I just don't see the need to wail about it.

The point being he accepted those terms and has ultimately renegaded on them

Can’t disagree with any of that. And to top it all, the club gave him the option to find a new club, with not one of these posters knowing when that deadline ended, or if it was still in place. And despite all this, a guy who had his arm twisted to come, gave it his all on the field, to an extent of being our best player by miles last season.

Not sure why he is solely getting the criticism. Just like with Segayaro, a player who single handedly saved us from relegation, told the club he was homesick, GH stirring things up with fake news, player goes and the harsh critisism comes.

We should be looking at our own back door first, and try and learn from it.

Correct

Which fake news?

Cannot blame the club over Segeyaro. He was a sh*t house with what he did. He signed a big contract to stay then got a an offer in the NRL and immediately reneged... great player and definitely kept us up that year for which I'm grateful but he was out of order

Having slept on this news now, I still think it’s a crappy way for Merrin to treat the club/fans but given his situation it’s understandable.

The bit I can’t get my head around is that Agar clearly said that Merrin wouldn’t be released until we have a suitable replacement. Where is the replacement? They’ve already said it’s not Prior...

Once again the club look like amateurs and things are out of control.

Wonder if Merrin had a get-out clause in his contract should an NRL side come knocking? I suspect he may have had, given the circumstances of his arrival and the way the club's meekly acquiesced all the way through his prolonged departure.

Having slept on it I’m actually more annoyed about how Merrin has handled it especially reading some comments from the press, but hey ho it’s done now, hope Prior goes well, I just want the season to start Now, I hate the off season.

He’s been less than completely honest about being committed to us, but my main issue is with how the club have allowed themselves to be played so easily by a bloke who went to get on a plane...

They should have said ok, go if you like, but we will hold your registration and you will be in breach of contract so we will stop paying you until you come back. That way we position ourselves for some kind of compensation either as a fee or as a player with contribution towards their salary.

We’ve been completely played here...

This makes sense. If he did there isn't much you can say. The club should confirm this though.

At the end of the day there is no point trying to force players. Just employ other people who do want to work for you instead. Leeds have a fantastic stadium, great heritage and large fan base, we don’t need to get begging bowls out.

“A fishkeeper keeps water, not fish”

I was uneasy when we signed Merrin especially the way we had to prize him twist his arm ,but when he seemed good for moral in the dressing room I was sold. Then I remembered Seg had the same effect . This ti e I dont Sinfield in particular will be soft on this in future . Make sure the player really wants to uproot for the duration of the dea,

Huh?

I get why fans are angry and disappointed but given what Merrin and his partner went thru last year i understand why they want to be back home. He could have handled it better looking from the outside in.

Merrin was an outstanding playee in a terrible team so its a big blow to lose him and it will be difficult to replace such quality but playets come and go and if hes not fully committed lets get somebody in who is or give a youngster the opportunity.

Id like to raise another point and thats the fans constantly watching his partners instagram and working out if they are going or staying by what she buys. All seems weird to me.