Pretty much covers my thoughts as well. It's been a great career and he deserves all the plaudits for it, but there has to be an eventual ending of it at the top level, and I certainly thought it was maybe a season too long for the big guy.

There's opportunities for the younger element to show what they can do though...... just not Smith at centre please!

Well if we could get him on a pay as you play deal that'd be good. I can't see another 1 year extension being handed out until they know whether he'll play again

Most people have a propensity to take the easy safe option ( here Smith or Ablett to centre )..... Then there are life's bold ( not bald - sorry Keith ), more successful risk takers.

Much easier to be a risk taker when it's not your career on the line if that risk blows up in your face and ends up losing you games.

Legend of the game

By far the best centre to play in the Super League, and when at his peak the best centre in the world.

Hope he makes a successful recovery and get to see him grace the hallowed turf at HQ again.

But if he retires lets hope he remains in the game in some capacity.

True.

But I've just this lunch time read how grateful Schofield is that David Ward took the *bold and risky* decision to play him at stand off for the first time.

How many times did Alan Sugar fail in his risk taking ? Not every decision will be right.....But when it is...... ! !
Or you could play safe.

Do you remember when (whoever the Leeds coach was at the time - Bell/Laughton?) took the "bold and risky" decision to play Francis Cummins at stand off for the first time?

That's what can happen.

Much better to stick someone who has represented his country in the centres than an untried kid IMO.

Hauraki to left centre then defensively we won't notice any difference.

Having had the opportunity to speak socially with several current SL players who have played opposite Keith this year, the general concensus amongst his peers is that Keith is as dangerous as ever and still head and shoulders above Delaney and most other centres in SL.

It seems that the more respected opinon of that nature I come across the more you fine people express the view that he's old past it and over the hill.

Southstander really doesn't change does it?

Brian McDermott confirmed on the radio that Keith is aiming to returning for the play-offs.

Agree easy for us to say take a risk, when it's not our jobs at risk potentially. Smith has played for England at centre!

That's quite optamistic. Didn't it take watkins 4/5 months from similar injury?

Senior is without doubt the best British centre (if not outside back) to play in the SL era, and has been a great servant to Leeds.

Whilst the circumstances are a bit sad (but by no means unusual in the modern game), I think now is the time for him to retire. Hopefully he will realise this when he has had some time to reflect on it. It would be nice if he stays with the club to assist in the development of younger backs breaking into the first team. I see no point to a 'pay as you play' deal - surely we've seen enough to give Watkins the left centre shirt when he becomes fit. Who plays on the right remains unclear but this is really a separate issue. Senior retiring next season was always a no-brainer and the club shouldn't let emotional circumstances or appearance stats interfere with the running of the team.

Saints fan here.

A players thats given a lot of good sevice to your club and while not as god as he was ( and on his day he was exellent ) still can do a job.Never nice to lose a veteran player to injuries and i hope this isnt the the case and he can retire on his own terms.My son and I had a bit of banter with Keith a couple of years ago at an Al Murray gig in Mancherster and he was a cracking guy,made a bit of time for us and had a laugh.