Tom Johnstone randomly missing for Wakefield today.

Bentley is better than both Roberts and Smith.

Not sure what measurement you are basing that on?

Both Roberts and Smith were a million miles ahead of Bentley at under 16 level. That was no bigger size than you, bully boy, measurement, they were simply miles better skill wise.

Bently's development at the bulls was first class, regardless what people think the same can not be said with the other two. However, they have been unfortunate with the injuries incurred as a result of the development placed on them.

Smith hasn't kicked on, and to me should have left Leeds whilst he was still young enough, and he would definitely get hsi career back on track. He hasn't lost the skills, he was a wonderful player, and you don't just lose that, it just needs displaying in the right environment.

Roberts though, IMO is still way above Bentley. Bentley is a great lad, and offers a great degree of flexibility in the positions he can fulfill. Honestly though, Roberts given a role can really stand out in this league.

Talent needs “trauma” and whilst it’s not the only reason, I feel it’s a huge reason why Smith hasn’t pushed on.... YET. It’s been too smooth sailing for me and he needs to deal with some adversity, have some setbacks as we know this is a massive trait found in almost all elite athletes.

Look at his injury record he's had plenty of set backs one of which came when he was in line for a 1st Team spot.

Sort of agree with what you are saying Gotcha.
My observations have only been in this past year and Bentley has always stood out admittedly in a poor Bulls side.
Smith has the skills but for some reason is not using them. Roberts imo is not far behind Bentley and both Smith and Roberts might come good with better coaching.
But for me Bentley just edges it over Roberts.

I’m not just talking physical, I’m talking mental too. The lad was touted for years as “the best of his peer group” and “best young talent in the game”. Unless he’s had his head buried in the sand he will have known this. Has he had any obstacles in his rugby career growing up? The odd injury growing up is part and parcel of the game. How many times was he not the biggest/most skill full forward on the park? How many times did he come up against defences that kept him quiet and nullified his influence? For the last 3 years his initial attributes making him stand out at junior level are no longer an asset ie strength/speed/power. They all possess it! It’s this psychological factor that’s the big one for me. He’s got to learn to deal with it and increase his skill set, including areas he’s probably never had to use before

Does Smith really fall into the 'he's just the biggest kid in his age group' category? I've seen the lad in gym. and looks a bit of a porker to be honest.

No, and he never was. Not sure where the myth comes from, but I guess it is people who never saw him play as a junior. He was a big lad, no doubt, but no where near the size of many of his age group. He was a dedicated lad to to what he wanted to achieve, and put plenty time in the gym yes, but it was his skill level over the other players that made him stand out. He was the main ball player, the pivot, the organizer, of his junior team, not the bash it up and make yards player.

At Leeds, despite having that same pivot role in the under 16's, where again he stood out, they have tried to change him into a prop, and did it too early in his career. That is where his problems have stemmed from, and injuries. He isn't been asked to play his natural game, but instead a new entire role, that limits his major assets of skills. It hasn't worked, or at least it seems that way since he hasn't exactly excelled with this programme, but it seems to be lets persist with it. I think the club know he is too damn good to write off and let go, but at the same time I think two parties have to face reality with each other.

Smith looked way off the pace for us last season. Physically he looked the part but he was soft in contact in defence and in attack he was barely noticeable. He was coming back from injury and he got a few knocks playing for us too so that’s possibly a reason. The difference between Championship and 19s is vast though and he perhaps wasn’t ready for it.

JJR looked ok for us, better than Smith but he also got a knock and ended up back at Leeds. If I had to say who I thought had the better chance of making it I’d say JJR.

As for Bentley is was comfortably our player of the year. I’m not sure what he’s getting out of playing in an understrength Sheffield team made up of ringers that’s getting regularly beaten. Had he gone to Leeds he’d probably be at Fev on DR now which would be a better place for him.

The problem with Smith is he probably still has the skills he just cannot execute them at the pace he needs to to be competitive at the elite level. He looks disinterested at Leeds - and needs a fresh environment.

Are you saying they have literally tried to make him a prop or just been bulking him up? It can be hard to adjust to a change in size/body for young rugby and particularly football players. That and bad injuries means he should be cut a bit of slack for mine. He is still 19 and I don't see many 19 year old forwards ripping up SL.

Both. But they cut back on the bulking I believe when the injuries were persisting.

When did they try to make him a prop exactly?? He's always played BR or on the odd occasion at 6?

Regardless of anything else He looks too short to be suited to be a modern prop. Hope he can stay injury free and maybe show some of the quality in the championship later in the season