It was character building to visit Wembley year after year in the forlorn hope that Wigan wouldn't spank you by 30 points.

All though getting to see THAT Offiah try being scored pretty much right in front of me at Wembley is something that will live with me forever, so that sugared the pill a little.

I hate watching it even now. Even worse is Jason Robinson at OT

Yep saw both those tries live. We deserved that first GF win actually, really unfair on Daz Fleary to be the guy twinkle does danced around to win it. Great tries though

I was thinking that the recent flush of signings reminded me of the Laughton era, or at least the year we brought in Clyde, Mullins, Carroll and Mears... 2000?

How long is it since opposition fans have sung 'what a waste of money' to a Leeds team? Or even our own fans? [that would have been appropriate last season, perhaps I missed that not going to games any more]

I'm more optimistic than many who have posted on this thread already, but at the same time I think there's scope for a lot to go wrong with so many changes to both the coaching team and the playing roster.

We should expect a return to the top half of the table, or better, although it may take them a few weeks to gel. Hopefully any potential dissent over players leaving and having to accept different roles in the team can be minimised. Plenty to look forward to - in terms of the new signings, how existing players respond to the new regime, and younger players coming through.

I always remember that day, it was sooo hot. Bonnie Tyler pre match ent and an old dean bell nearly catching a young franny C!! Great game, we were nearly there....but back in those days we all got used to a 200 miles very silent return trip home!!

I’ll always remember that day/weekend, was the first time I went to Wembley with my dad (now sadly not with us) to watch Leeds in a final, he buggered off to get a pint a couple of minutes before Offiah scored so never saw it!

Thankfully we both went to Wembley in 99 so got to see them win a trophy together but he left us in 2001 (aged 49) so unfortunately never got to see the team from 2004 onwards - such a shame as he woukd have loved every minute watching the side we have had for 13+ years

Roll on next season. Cant wait. Well done Kev n Gary.

Don't worry Christopher,your dad will have made every tackle,kicked the goals and scored the tries.!
Keep smiling Go the Rhinos 2019

Ditto.

I think the rebuild has some way to go yet so I think you'll finish 6-9th (which is an improvement nonetheless). There's still a lack of power up front, especially in the front row. Where's the player that consistently makes 100m+ in every game? (difficult to replace Peacock but the gap is clear) Where's the impact prop off the bench that can turn things your way with some big carries? (Garbutt was the nearest you had). I think you're 2 props short of a top 5 finish.

I'd be careful bringing youngsters into a team that might struggle at times. Could ruin them. You can't expect those players to win you games. They're a bonus if they come through. It's the 1st teamers that need to raise their game.

The halfbacks are going to be a new combo too so it won't be champagne rugby from the off. There will be a new coach "bounce" but expect it to be tough at times.

With an excellent Ozzy coach and strong management team backing Furner I would expect to be in the mix after an initial settling period of say 4 games to be in with a really positive first season like CC semi &/or top 4 in playoffs.

I would expect Furner to want at least that and for me personally I would like us to at least give Cas a game home and away being our bogey team and my dream is seeing our new Overseas players charging at Hardaker when we play Wigan and trampling him into the ground like a rag doll

A good assessment that.

I will say one of my hopes for 2019 is for a strong Bulls side to make a oush to get back to SL as I think it would be great to have them back. I don’t know much about the squad but is this likely at all?

All fair points though I'm hopeful we can get into the 5. We may yet sign that 100m player and even if we don't then improvements to fitness and conditioning which last year were - to quote Mick Morgan - diabolical might mean we can wring those extra metres from others.

Win more than we lose against Castleford!!!