To be honest, if Merrin wanted out back to the NRL I wouldn't stand in his way. He is a quality player but I got the impression this was his only real choice at the time, and not really of his own making. We could afford, maybe, to give Cam Smith an extended run at loose. If we can clear some salary cap for 2020 we can be having serious conversations with some serious players who DO want to come across in the meantime.

Then again it would make Leeds something of a laughing stock, again....

If anyone thinks we are going to improve without a player like Merrin around then they are in cloud cuckoo land. You only have to look at last weeks stats to see the importance. You think it is bad now, god help us, if we agreed to that. Next year with time to replace fair enough, but certainly not now.

I'm not sure it follows that the defeats to Wakey and Hull would have been even worse without Merrin - possibly I guess. End of the day if he really wants to go back to the NRL, we have precedence here don't we? There may be some compensation payable, assuming his contract doesn't have a return clause. Like I said, he's a quality player but also a big chunk of salary cap for someone who doesn't play 80 mins.

Hopefully it's just a rumour and things will settle down soon, it's been a ridiculous closed season in Aus with discipline issues and with crazy contractual situations - in some aspects we really shouldn't be looking to emulate the NRL.

Agreed, Merrin is a quality player and the type we need right now, it will be a massive shame if he buggers off after one year IMO but if he doesn't want to be here then there's not much we can do, surely if he leaves with 3 years ;eft on his deal we'd be up for a big transfer fee?

Either way, I don't get the impression Merrin would just bugger off with no notice like Segayaro did - I think he'd make and communicate a decision in sufficient time to allow us to recruit.

That's all good and well.

But who would be available?

Whos currently available?!

Maybe we could go for Jackson Hastings.

He turned down Wigan to stay at Salford, so I think he'll stay there until an NRL club comes in.

Merrin worked his nuts off in his first spell and was doing far too much tackling. As marquee he will cost £150k on the cap. If the other players Had put the same amount of effort in we'd have given FC a game. He may go back to aus at end of year, he may not but for mine his commitment could not be questioned.

After Singletons poor start, and another trip to Fev looming. Could he be the next to leave, making cap space for another prop?

Probably not,highly thought of I believe but for myself never been convinced!

Singleton - looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.