I've always thought he's a natural for a modern day thirteen. If,and it's a big if, he can get past his concussion issues I think he could really put pressure on Cam Smith. I don't think Smith is a bad player but potential wise Gannon's ceiling is much higher. However, for the moment I think we need to take it one step at a time and ease him back in (bit by bit) as a bench second row.

couldn't agree more. he looks a natural 13

Smith does a huge amount of tackles. With Gannon coming back after a year off with concussion issues I wouldn't think making him a tackling machine would be a good idea. Hope to see him as more of an attacking threat. Really haven't seen enough of him in a Leeds shirt to know how good he really is however it looks like the club has confidence in him long term.

Yep, and that's why I said they should reintroduce him as a bench second row. That said, if he gets beyond the concussion, I think 13 will eventually be his optimal position.

Are we at the stage now with Gannon where another head knock is game over or does the prolonged lay off mean that next time he has a head knock, his slate has been wiped clean and he can be treat like Handley or Miller were they to have a head knock?

No way to know would my guess,we don't know the particulars

How the club would choose to manage it and the game's protocols might be two different things.
I think the bigger question might revolve around how often the decision needs making.
To quote Barry McGuigan "once you've lost that ability to take a shot you never, ever get it back". I think he's spot on wrt boxing but not sure about RL. My guess is that there are some players that are susceptible to being concussed though probably a lower percentage than in boxing. I'm not talking about Morgan specifically in this last bit I should add - hopefully his recovery is now complete.

I assume he is being urged to wear some form of head protection gear to help reduce the risk.

Headgear doesnt really help against concussion, the brain moving round in the skull is the issue.

One of the reasons why NFL players suffered so bad, as they assumed they were protected with the helmet.

I think there was also something to do with him not yet being 21, and that having a big effect on the long term consequences of head knocks due to the development of the brain. Given the Stevie Ward situation the club are clearly being super careful with Gannon. Hopefully he can start to treat concussions more in line with other players. If he can't get to that point, he ultimately won't be able to be a professional RL player.

My source has been away on holiday and only got back at the weekend so not had a chance to pester them about the on going Brodie Croft saga.

The update they had for me doesn't sound ideal, Brodie Crofts agent is pushing for a NRL deal and a release from his Leeds contract now obviously this isn't good news for us as losing our marquee halfback who we payed thousands of pounds for a release from his salford contract and pay him roughly £350,000 a season isn't great at all especially 2 weeks out from pre season as well.

The club is standing firm that Croft isn't for sale unless St George basically do what we did 12 months ago and buy Croft out of his contract.

It's a shame about this as Croft is a key part in our team and will probably be even better than he was for us under Brad Arthur, however this risk was always gonna be there as Croft and his NRL clauses in his contracts have been no secret. Personally to me it seems like Croft will be leaving if the Dragons are willing to pay for him and let's be honest they have plenty of Cap losing Lomax & Hunt 2 of their big earners plus the NRL salary cap dwarfs SL salary cap as we all know. Nothing is concrete yet hoping to get more updates in weeks to come

This would be no great surprise, and applies to every player at every club in SL. If the NRL come calling, and are willing to pay enough, every player in the league is available, it's simple economics and no club is "rich" enough to say no to a big enough fee. However, I don't really see any NRL club being willing to buy a player from SL, based on the ability and the size of the player pool in the NRL.

If the club stand firm to no release without suitable fee, Brodie will be here this season.

It's actually a compliment that this is even discussed, it shows we are now having better quality players.

It’s now being reported that St George have given up on getting Croft and are now looking elsewhere. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/br ... ans-future

It’s now being reported that St George have given up on getting Croft and are now looking elsewhere. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/br ... ans-future

I was hoping for an Jr update, but this isn't the one I'd hoped for. Thanks for your service, mate.

Without knowing anything, I don't think it'll happen now. They've freed cap up with Lomax and Hunt going, but they've already brought in Damian Cook, Val Holmes and Clint Gutherson. Apparently, they've changed targets and are looking at Dan Atkinson from the Sharks. We'll wait and see.

Good news if he's staying.
At least it means we have time to find a replacement if we have to next year.