League weekly reporting that Jason Demetriou is our no.1 target.

Really? Good if true.

Demetriou was in the mix again for the Broncos not long ago. Seems to have just had bad luck in terms of cracking first grade coaching here. He might well see coming to SL as a chance to improve his chances in the NRL moving forwards. I wouldn't have a problem with him doing that.

Whilst agreeing our squad seems a huge mess, it can't be ignored that we've added a whole bunch of new players this year, to little effect. We have focused on the wrong areas for way too long, namely the spine. Ignoring full back we have zero control out of 6,7 or 9 and no kicking game. Lolohea was an awful signing, not just because he was never a first grade halfback but also because our plan B was Myler/Sutcliffe.

It will be interesting to watch Lolohea for Tonga this weekend. He'll probably do a couple of good things and not look too bad, but playing alongside that pack I reckon any second grade halfback would fancy their chances.

I think Leeds have been in panic mode much of the time and the signings have been tactical (who is available?) rather than structural, as you say.
To be fair there have been some good signings in there. Ava looks good. Walters and O’Connor both played for Lancs in winning Academy Origin series (few years off first team impact).. Mellor might be alright.
Honestly think KS is between a rock and a hard place right now. Has his hands tied with some exits due to pre-existing commitments, and we can only sign players who are available, good enough and where some other club doesn’t outbid us. Most good players want to win silverware and we’ve got ourselves underneath the “threshold of credibility” now. I’m not sure Leeds has the same brand draw now that it did 4/5 years ago to be honest.
Not being negative, there are things we can do, but it’s very hard to turn the oil tanker around once the wrong course has been set.

I agree, its still amazing how quickly things have gone completely sour though. Whilst it doesn't help us today, hopefully if we survive this mess KS/GH will forever have the mantra of "halfback first" when considering the long term. Out of all the recruits this season there's not one you could build a side around - even with 2 marquee signings. That's just plain bad recruitment.

Once the dust has settled I'd love to understand the thinking that suggested Lolohea was ever going to be good enough to be a starting halfback. The only thing I can think of was that they watched him play for Tonga and thought he'd go OK. The fact that he only plays for Tonga because they have nobody else, and is playing for a team full of stars almost everywhere else must have passed them by.

Think we have to put that one down to a plain lack of due diligence mate. Mistakes do happen even at more successful clubs than Leeds, but we could ill afford that particular one.
I am genuinely worried about this year. I keep hearing/seeing people say we'll be OK, but the evidence just isn't supporting that view. If we get a couple of injuries to key players we are in serious, serious trouble. Volatile situation.

It's amazing how everybody is now convinced Lolohea isn't a half back. When I first said he was never a 6 I was shot down in flames on here.

Three year deal too. Christ almighty. People wonder why the rebuild will take a bit of time.

You were right Marty!
When he first played at six for us we did get close to Saints; he was playing more like an NRL style across the line with some pace and bullet passes out - but then he just can’t defend and the whole thing falls apart.
I think we’ve been a bit unlucky with niggling injuries to some key players to be fair; but Parcell and Dwyer have holes in their game for hooker; Cuthbo is not a prop; Peteru is somewhere between prop and second row; Tui is ???, Sutcliffe is maybe a loose forward if he bulks up a bit but failed at centre, FB and 6... we are a squad of generalists which opposition find easy to close down because we can’t offer different threats. There’s no scorching pace, no blinding skill, little game brains and our most powerful player is a centre rather than a forward (possible exception of Ava who is a proper prop, finally).

He was never an out and out half back though Marty. But in truth, we could probably get away with it, with an exceptional 7 and 9. I don't really think Lolohea is any worse for example than Lui at Salford, but look at his performances.

That said, I still want us to get shot.

I wanted to like Tui but I don't think he's good enough for Leeds.

People have lambasted Tui for his weight now Gotcha wants us to swoop for Scott Murrell.

Come on Marty, Let's not stoop so low, that's a bit ridiculous. I said Schofields suggestion was not as stupid as it sounded at the time. Bit of a difference to what you are implying. And weight of someone in the role, is the last thing I would be worried about for what we need, and it is those other skills that are what we need. We don't need a runner right now, we need an organiser with a kicking game. Dean Lawford, would be miles ahead of what we currently go with.