2014 First Team Players

Quote: W55ARE "Had my thinking head on last night and was wondering what would come of next season. I can hear you saying, "this season isn't over yet". But was wondering more about the fringe players.

Starting with Hood, Watson, Chisolm and Vickery. I expect these to leave at the end of the season. The first 3 should have had a bit of game time at least by now. Not at all the same time obviously, but with Brain Macs rotation policy (which is non existent) I think these guys have been given a raw deal so far. I am open to suggestion and could change my mind if things change but I doubt the 3 mentioned will get a look in now. I think Vickery will probably go home rather than stop to play in the Championship (if any one wants him).

That takes me on to the U19s. I expect Briscoe (who is so average), Foster and Mcavoy to stay in the first team squad next year as they are still quite young and Sunley, Sutcliffe and a-another will join them from this YTS advanced apprenticship thingy - maybe they will go to Hunslet dual reg to mature. Sutcliffe and Foster might get a glimmer of a look in for a game, but about the same chances as Hood, Watson and Chisolm have had IMO.

I believe many of our U19s are coming of age this year i.e. most have to leave as they are too old - so it's good night Vienna for you guys and thanks for services rendered. Where does that leave the likes of Duckworth etc? Championship sides will be full of older fringe players from the 2013 season and also the new fringe players from 2014 dual reg so the only place for these guys is Championship 1 or lower.

Finally I don't see the Rhinos changing much in the next 5 years, maybe Sutcliffe being groomed for McGuire as cover but the writing isn't very pretty for the young guns coming through. If anyone says these are the best since the Burrow/Mcguire academy days, it maybe the case, but aren't the U19s playing 16, 17, 18 & 19 year olds each week where as Rhinos is a team of predominantly 19 years olds? I haven't seen the games this year but just going by what I have heard on this forum. I did like the U20s because it allowed SL players to play too - I remember when Leeds U20s played Wigan U20s and they had Pat Richards, Charnley, Dudson, Gelling, L Tompkins, etc. Shame you don't see that now.

Anyway just my thoughts.'"

I have total faith in Gary's squad/ retained list each season afterall his record is far better than every other clubs equivalent during the super league era is it not?