Nice to hear.

Connor officially in the door BA must believe he can handle him and get the best out of him risky signing but hope it comes off and finds his best form again

I seen loads of people mentioning Arthur and him getting the best of of him, does he have a history of that, I know he didn't manage to get the best out of French and Field(may have been reasons for that) and he was sacked after 2 poor seasons where he had some very good players.

Not a criticism, genuinely interested.

I think the reference is to his disciplined approach to the players attitude. I don't think Field and french had those problems.

If BA can get Connors attitude right his ability will come through

It's a fair comment. Arthur has said quite a few times that one of the players he's most enjoyed coaching over here is Newman. He's probably our most similar player to Connor in terms of talent and temperament. It's been very interesting to see what Shaun Wane has brought out of Newman when he's played for England, which is similar to what Wayne Bennett brought out in Connor.

I think sometimes the best thing for a player with an ego and reputation is a coach with a bigger ego and reputation, combined with a deft touch on how to bring the best out of that player.

Time will tell whether Arthur can do that with Connor and Newman, but I certainly expect him to do far better than Rohan Smith in that regard.

Be interesting to see where Connor fits in.
I also think centre is his best position.
If Momirovski goes and we bring in Sivo, should be Sivo, Newman, Connor and Handley as the 3/4's.
Hall/Lumb as back ups.

BA may go with Handley in the centre and Connor as utility.
But then we could need his goal kicking.

On Connor I have always felt he plays well when there is a level of having something to prove. Generally I think he will do better in a bigger club with a lot of eyes on him and the club. Mixed with Arthur and his strict approach you can see him wanting to deliver.
He should be at his peak at 29, he isn’t quick and never was so his skills should be more rounded as he is older. Risky signing but if Newman and Connor are playing well and on board that is a good pair of difference makers out wide.

The signing was always going to happen, probably not super expensive and isn’t quota. Good depth and utility when needed. Would still like Mom to depart and to bring in another outside back from the NRL. I think it unlikely but maybe sangare and Warren out with Byrne from Wigan in would be an incredible off season of business

Sivo definitely not coming according to Peter Smith

That’s not exactly what he said, he said he’d been told it wasn’t happening. That to me implies we asked and there would be other things to work out before we could move forwards. Let’s see, he’s probably not but I don’t think the door is closed and locked.

In any case, the next steps need to be players leaving which IB seemed to say he expected on the Lot Pod.

I don’t think we’ve finished just yet.

Im going off the fact of BAs disciplined approach to players and keeping him in line I just believe he will be able to do this unlike eg smith

I think Connor's biggest issue is he is a bit hit and miss and goes for plays that are not on, a little like Miller. That's why I believe he is a better centre as there are less decisions to make. At stand off or full back, on his day he can look world class but he is also as likely to look shocking through silly passes, kicks and errors.

I am less concerned about his ego as long as it does not upset his teammates. I think it is just a desire to win a bit like Mikey Lewis, albeit I am sure Arthur will want him to reign it in a little and to focus more on his game.

I am hoping that he will go well for us playing at centre. He is also a goalkicker and does not fill a quota spot which is very useful.

Probably the best that we could get without using up a quota spot.

On his day Connor is a fantastic player and can singlehandedly rip teams top shreds on his own.

Think the comment about reigning in / harnessing his undoubted maverick tendencies is going to be key.

BA has had an positive effect on Bentley, Miller and TBF the squad as a whole. He knows what he wants from his players and if he doesn't get it then they are going to struggle to regain his trust and game time. No Nonsense and Im all for it.

Wayne Bennett said previously Connor was a player he enjoyed coaching and had an X-Factor about him, here's hoping a coach in a similar mould can coax the performances and attitude out of him on a regular basis. If not, BA doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who suffers fools gladly.

I don't think we need Sivo. Hall is going to be starting in a Grand Final. Why would he be a reserve here?

Sivo would be our world class attacking threat. It would provide great cover for any loss of form, injury and to allow players to be rested who have niggles without the replacement being Luis Robert's (I know he has now gone) or a 2nd row filling in at centre and significantly reducing the standard of our back line.

By the sounds of it, it does not sound like he will be coming though.

You have to credit Blease he is making a difference. Leeds have released 8 players of which only Martin was a regular starter in the 17. Discounted Fusitua as he missed so many games. We have brought in 4 players who are all potential starters in the 17. Add in Holroyd and Gannon and we look in a much better place. We have added size in the pack and guaranteed metres out of backfield plus some creativity with Connor. If we could secure another release and a strike player you would have to be pleased with the transfer business. Its not that long since the chat was we had little room to change the squad till 2026