That'd be a good move. Weren't we in for Cronk recently? Someone to help "steady the ship" with the young halves would be very valuable. Much like Furner and Dunemann did for McGuire, Burrow & Sinfield.

I think it sort of depends which of McGuire or Burrow retires first. If McGuire goes first it'd be helpful to have Burrow still around. Though if both are still here it probably does block some gametime for Lilley, who I thought looked pretty good at hooker, though like Burrow we'd still suffer in defence with Lilley at hooker.

Having said that, and still in a good mood following the treble, I'm pretty much of the view that if players like McGuire/Burrow/JJB etc want to hang on for another year or 2 then I reckon they've earned that and it can be a good way of showing young players that if you commit to Leeds, Leeds will commit to you.

As for the argument about the pathway for HB's. How many top sides have introduced a HB into their first team from their academy and he's stayed there and been successful?

At Wigan, George Wiliams has only just come through and whilst he had a great year, still to see if he can do it year upon year. Before that? Tomkins moved to FB, Tommy Leuluai, Blake Green , Matty Smith......the latter who couldn't get a gig at Saints and had to go to a bottom table team in Salford.

Saints? Mentioned Matty Smith, Lomax to FB, Gaskell and Wheeler didn't last and they've gone for two experienced Aussies.

Warrington, they've gotten rid of Gareth O'Brien and are going with two Aussies. Before that they had Myler who had to come good at Salford.

Leon Pryce had to do several years in the three quarters before he played HB. Brough moved around including a lower division. Kevin Brown spent a lot of time at centre first. Burrow started there but has ended up a substitute dummy half.

Only Danny McGuire recently has come through at a top team when young, been a success there and stayed there his whole career.

Many have had to cut their teeth in other positions first or other clubs lower down first. Yes Leigh are Championship compared to the likes of Salford who some of those players above played for early doors but Leigh have more financial strength than most Championship clubs have now or previously. In the past Brierly would've already been snapped up into SL because a club in the Championship wouldn't have been able to offer enough money to keep him or say no to offers like Leigh have done.

All the Brierly one shows is the changing style of pathways for players nowadays. 10 years ago signing a prop from the Championship for a top club would've been scoffed at but now people are looking for the next Chris Hill or Alex Walmsley. It's daft when people point towards the likes of Sinfield and Chev Walker making debuts at 16 when it was around 15-20 years ago and the game has majorly evolved since then.

You seem weirdly preoccupied with telling other people what is and isn't funny. And very threatened by penii.

The Aussie rumour mill had us in for him along with about twenty other players. He's out of contract in 2017 as well which I'm sure will please Hetherington.





Burrow is a bit of an issue. The club rate him highly on the coaching front and seem to be planning on transitioning him into the coaching staff once he retires from playing so shipping him off may well jeapordise that.

We would we ship him off? I think he's contracted for another two years (or is it just 1)? Either way he still has a lot to offer. Ok, defensively they accommodate him but every player has pros and cons - McGuire is petulant remember

At best he is on form and the likes of Lilley either try to match him or they show maybe they aren't cut out for the top level. At worst he provides experienced back up when called on and supports the youngsters as they develop. Neither seem bad to me.

I don't get this sudden bashing of our players who have been so fundamental to the last decade of unrivalled success. It's like 'thanks lads, don't let the door hit you on the way out.' Unreal.

Personally think we are ok in the half and I am just making an educated guess but if we did sign breirley would be a very expensive project. When we have burrow mags, Sutty and Liley who looks impressive

Could have been worse I often have a late evening banana whilst on here.

Back on topic imo when they are all fit Sutty will be at 6 Ward at 13 and Cam Smith has at the very least 1/2yrs before he fully breaks through and at that time i'd expect to see him come off the bench/start in the SR ,Achurch will have departed by then and Jjb id 75% guess will be retired.
That leaves Delaney Abbo & Ferres as recognised SR's with Keinhorst/Walters as back up so there will be room if not there's still the loan option plus Cam will still only be 19.
Onto the HB debate by the start of 2017 i'd be surprised to see RB as 1st choice HB/9 cover in all honesty unless the Club decide to loan out Lilley for a full season to have him playing SL/Championship RL week in week out that leaves Mags(would 2017 be his last year as 1st choice?) Sutty and the "rumoured" Brierley.
Imo i think there's plenty of room for us to sign Brierley and i also think he'd fit in along with Sutty ,Lilley and looking further forward Whiteley.

In 2 years time you'd also have to wonder what condition Delaney would be in considering the toll it takes on his body to get through a season. Likewise I can't see Cam Smith getting decent game time until 2018 at best so still probably plenty of things to happen squad between now and then.

Printer-Yea bang on re-Delaney wrt Cam Smith i think he'll spend next year in the u19's with very ltd minutes at 1st team level if any then spend 2017 on loan anyway unless of course he hits the ground running ala Stevie Ward which imo he's capable of doing.

Cameron Smith has looked very good in the friendlies and I wouldn't be surprised if he came off the bench against say Hull KR or Widnes. Josh Jordan-Roberts is apparently another very good U19s back rower though I haven't seen much of him.