I think what happens with the SL next year will also have an impact, if it goes to 14 teams there will be a few teams quite happy to throw big contracts at players like Hurrell and Martin (and even maybe King) to try and stay in that top 10 for 2023

Think people are pleased because Austin is still a big name.
If you look at his performances for Wire though he’s been very disappointing. Seemed more interested in his trainer collection than proving himself on the pitch.
But blank canvas now so let’s see, but don’t think it’s wise to get too excited about this signing yet.
Also if it means we loose Martin or Hurrell it may be a double edged sword.
Austin has the ability to come good, but won’t be easy after his spell at Wire....

We do have a habit of signing names rather than form I have to say.

Probably boils down to our confidence/over-confidence that the Leeds infrastructure magically transforms all players from other clubs into better players. The truth is that other clubs also have good, professional set-ups and good coaching - even if Leeds is probably the gold standard in some things.

You see the quote time and again "... in our environment..". Anyway, I still quite like this signing on balance because Austin brings in something we lack. I'd like a bit more scorchio pace out wide and enough cover in the front row, and then I'm a relatively happy bunny.

you'll need someone else to do his tackling then, cos he doesn't like getting stuck in, despite being a pretty big guy for a halfback, he shirks the work.

Hurrell has been dire this season.He has had only one good game against a very poor Cas side.Martin if he isnt retained may count himself unlucky but we have loads of back rowers.

Hurrell is still our best attacking option......

Hurrell is marmite isn't he - rocks and diamonds, hot and cold, all that. Some fans will love him for the good stuff, others hate him for the errors.

Going forward he's probably the most damaging runner through contact of any player in the competition. He's solid one-on-one in D too as long as he doesn't get too lateral.

Positioning, skills, not so great. To be brutal there is an argument to replace all three with one star quality prop and winger, so an upgrade on King if you like and a Donald-esque player meaning we could also let Luke Briscoe go, with thanks, and also put some pressure on Tom with his contract coming to an end next season.

One game in 5 he is.He's our worst defender every game and probably has the most errors.

Toaty agree with your last paragraph.

If our best attacking option is to just hope that Hurrell can smash his way through the defence all the time, then no wonder we’ve gone out and bought 2 new half backs!!!

He’s poor in defence and has too many errors.
And I don’t think he is the attacking threat he was when he first came.

Difficult choice to make between releasing Martin or Hurrell.
But we’re pretty well stocked in both centre and back row, so could easily be either one.

Hurrell would still walk into any other team in SL

That’s my thinking re King

Hurrell gets lots of stick, and sometimes not without reason. But in his defense, I'd say he he is now fitter than he has ever looked whilst at the club and doesn't drop nearly as much ball as in the early days. He is also playing down our right hand side, when all our key attacking links play down the left. If he had been playing on the left this year he'd got ten tries, no bother at all. It's sad that in the three years he has been at the club we have yet to devise a plan to get the best out of him. Maybe Sezer/Austin would make a difference to that. Agnostic on whether he stays or goes, but I don't think he is the no hoper some make him out to be.

Not so sure about that

He probably would.