I really hope that the Merrin rumours aren't true, but if they are I'd love to see us go all out for George Burgess as a replacement. He's out of contract at the end of the season and he's stated a desire to play in the super league. makes it a lot easier to attract players of that quality when marquee money is available

Different types of players though and for me both players of that calibre is what we need as opposed to either or.

NRL clubs looking at Walker according to the Mole.

I can see Walker ending up in the NRL, but probably when his current deal expires, he’s certainly good enough. Maybe we should keep hold of Golding.

I think by then either Iwan Stephens, Sam Little, Liam Whitton or another academy prospect will be knocking on the door to be honest. It looks to me at this point that Golding's chance has gone, unless Leeds change coach again.

Truth hurts but while there is such a difference in spending power between NRL and SL, and while we have agents lining their pockets actively moving players around, we are in effect a nursery for NRL or RU clubs. ALL of our best players will get hawked around these days as soon as they look something like, and it'll be a devil of a job to keep them at the club. It was a bit different when the last lot came through.

I guess one difference is that the Leeds lads who moved on in the past had achieved more at the club first at least.

We know what to expect from Walker to be honest given his last contract stand-off with the club at such a young age. He has a high opinion of himself and his value, with his agent in the ear no doubt. Does anyone know if the RFL regulates agents by the way?

Actually this musical chairs of players (and of coaches in the NRL), turns me right off and isn't an aspirational thing for Rugby League to be aiming at. Players have always moved on for opportunities and money, I get that, but one of the things I like about RL is the localised nature of clubs and the development of local talent.

You could look at a handful of our current Academy prospects and think that an NRL club is bound to come sniffing at some point - we are going to have to manage some cap space and at least be competitive on salaries with these boys in the current market. The only weapon against this drain we really have is the club culture, and that is certainly something that Sinflied can't afford to get wrong.

This is rubbish, and was proven at the time. The club spun a lie about those negotiations in the public, and were lucky it got sorted the way it did. There was nothing out of the ordinary in Walkers requests, which was purely that he was given the chance to fight it out for fullback spot, it was the club at fault and trying a fast one. However, one thing Walker requested at all time in those negotiations was that if an NRL club came in for him then it could happen. Playing there was always his ambition, and money from that was never the forefront of those thoughts. We will just have to see what happens in future there, but he has had NRL clubs in his ear since 16 years old.

Gotcha is spot on Walker never "demanded" the 1 shirt just that he could have a fair crack at earning it. At that time the Club were planning for him to play 7 a position he'd proved capable in but didnt enjoy.

Doesn't look like he's enjoying full back either!!

You do have a way with words mate don't you? If I had a pound for every time you called out another poster's comments as "rubbish" I'd be able to sign Walker myself. You know a bit about the game and I respect that, but so do lots of others on this forum. Be polite.

In my view, lads who have come through Leeds and been invested in for 4 years or more, owe the club something in return. Walker hasn't reached maturity yet or fulfilled his potential, or particularly given Leeds great value. In fact he's been rocks and diamonds this year in a side which is struggling.

If every lad coming through is just seeing Leeds as the shop window to greater things, we are in big trouble as a club because youth is clearly our bet for success for the future. Look at what's happening to Bradford - all the best talent is stripped, helps them pay the bills but will prevent them getting promoted again. Not a good trap to get caught in.

I don't blame players with talent for wanting to ply their trade in the NRL, but the cautious note is that many ESTABLISHED first graders have failed to make the cut over there, including Zak Hardaker fairly recently. Tomkins was hit and miss for the Warriors. Baldwinson springs to mind too at the youth stage. The media scrutiny over there is horrendous and the grass isn't always greener - the only consistent thing is the agents' pockets get lined.

If you're seriously saying that money hasn't got anything to do with a move to the NRL, then I give up. I don't think Leeds as a club need players coming through who aren't committed to turning the ship around and building a legacy, as a TEAM, here. Walker could choose to be a part of that new generation pushing for success, or he can chase the big bucks and bright lights - and it IS a choice.

Leeds doesn't have a divine right to win things, or to retain and attract better players than anyone else. It's also true that it's a free market and cuts both ways: the club will cut you if you're not up to first grade, in the end. It is a short career and all that. If Walker leaves I guess the club will get compensated, but it's not a particularly helpful event in the team rebuilding process is it?

I was replying specifically to the quote you made, the point on previous negotiations, which you labelled as proof of previous. That and only that was what I called rubbish. I can't see another way of putting it, because that is exactly what it was at the time, rubbish. It was not your post I was calling out, but the so called "previous".

The only NRL role he could play now is a mascot. He's way off being a good SL fullback. Hardaker was too soft when he came over. If he's willing to play juniors and reserves for a couple of years to learn the role and bulk up a lot he might have a chance.

Spot on.