He's one of the all time greats of the game.

He has played some very good games for us but he hasn't been dominant enough consistently enough for my liking given his reputation. Perhaps that isn't his fault. His first two seasons sharing with Diskin clearly didn't work, through no fault of either player.

I think he was an unnecessary signing given the success we enjoyed with the incumbent (something Buderus himself agrees with btw) and the glaring needs elsewhere in the squad at the time.

I think the adulation afforded him by our fans was out of proportion to his displays for us and OTT. That has always been my major issue which is really more an issue with fans than Buderus. Dare to even point out an error on his part and you cop it with both barrels. He was untouchable unlike others that had perhaps more so deserved that kind of unswerving loyalty and support. Again, an issue with fans rather than player.

Those have always been my views and, for some reason, they seem to ignite a passion amongst posters who cannot actually comprehend what I've put.

I am pleased he's had a fitting end to his Leeds career as he seems a genuinely nice bloke. We'll move on without him just as we've moved on when past greats have retired or left the club but the "we're doomed" response to his departure illustrates my point really.

I can see what you are saying and you make good points but after you have seen his Leeds career start to finish,

was he a good signing in your opinion. Yes or no?

To specifically answer the question "was he a good signing", taking into account the quota spot, the incumbent player, the salary, the needs elsewhere, the way the team handled his absence post July 2009 then I'd have to say, on balance, and the last two months have made this closer than it should be........... then no.





Bring it on.

I've never seen any need for talking about Buderus to descend into a Buderus vs Diskin debate.

Diskin is a nailed on hall of famer for Leeds, local lad who contributed a huge amount over 10 years.

Buderus is an all time great of the sport who arrived at Leeds a little past his best, and probably won't be 100% happy with what he's accomplished. I don't believe for a second that he was one of those who came here just for the pay day, and I suspect his determination to finish his spell here with a GF win may have been a big plus for us in our end of season run.

His injury in his first year was the sort of thing that has sent a plethora of overseas stars running back home, but he clearly wanted to see the job through.

In the final analysis, his total Leeds contribution lags behind Diskin, but that doesn't matter. Great player, model professional, natural born winner. Finished his spell here really, really strongly, and I'm glad that's how he will be remembered by Leeds fans.

Was he a necessary signing? Possibly. Not sure Diskin still had it to be honest. Sentiment is a wonderful thing, but over the past year to 18 months Buderus has been the better player by some distance.

I can't argue with an yof this.

Agreed. Sums it up nicely I'd say.

Exactly the point I have been trying to make for three years - sport at this level is about watching elite athletes.

We seldom get to see the top Aussies to see one of the very top Aussies only a weekly basis has been superb.

Anyone who thinks Diskin would have been capable of a performance like the ones Buderus put in over the past two weeks is deluded.

If Buderus had not performed as he has we would not have won either game.

Yeah I've thought that. I'm undecided. I have loved burderus at Leeds but thought we could have brought in younger uk players in other positions who we could have got 6 to 10 years out of!

But bloody glad he played for us.

See above for an example of the OTT reaction and dragging the grown up discussion into a Diskin vs Buderus debate.

No, David, of course Diskin couldn't put in a big display in a GF and Leeds couldn't get to one and win one without Buderus.

A little unfair on the player IMO G1 - it's not his fault that Leeds had an incumbent, established, one club hooker with three GF wins to his name when he arrived.

His level of performances haven't been those of Danny Buderus from the mid 2000's when he was the best player in the world in his position. Then again, anyone who expected they would be had unrealistic ideas given the time that had passed since then.

I've no gripes about his performances in a Leeds jersey. There have been some games where he'd probably admit to himself that he'd fallen below his usual high standards, but over the last couple of years I don't think he'd be the only player holding his hands up to that one.

I couldn't have gone to greater lengths in my posts to make it any clearer in my posts that those criticisms were not necessarily aimed at the player.

And yet you've taken it (among others) into account when deciding whether he was a worthwhile signing.

About the only thing you've missed off your list of determining factors are his performances on the field.

Couldn't have put it better myself mate. An absolute gent of a bloke with time for anybody. The best 9 to grace these shores IMO

I'm not sure what more he could have done since been here. He has two Championship winners rings, a league leaders shield win, played in 2 challenge cup finals, and more importantly his final year has coincided in what will be Leeds Rhinos finest ever achievement.

How many overseas signings have come over to England and had that record yet gone back with fans still yearning for more? What was Jamie Lyons record at Saints? Trent Barretts at Wigan? Jason Smith at Hull?

As for we needed to fill more glaring obvious spots in the team, where? we have won two out of the last three Championships and played in two challenge cup finals. So what was the spot that we failed to fill that had we not signed Buderus we would have bettered this record?

A legend of the game, and a priviledge to have seen him in our colours. To come up with those defensive stats in such an important game is testimony to that. As much as I am looking forward to see McShane & Hood progress I still feel his 'nous' will be missed next year. Good luck to him, glad he aint in the Australia squad!