being able to play Buderus for 80 mins a game will be almost like having a new signing

Won't happen.

It would have been nice to sign a 'marque' player for this season so that we could all get a little giddy, but lets not forget there is a salary cap in place that stops teams from spending so much money.

Over the years we have been fortunate to be able to go out and sign experienced players that came under the marque heading. The likes of Peacock, Eastwood, Buderus, Webb et al. But you can't do it every season. Granted a world class player can bring so much to a team, but so can stability. It used to really grate me when i was younger as come the end of the season you'd look at the ins and outs and the likes of Saints, Wigan and Bradford would have six or more new players coming in, and Leeds would have 2 or 3. As I've gotten older I've started to realise the reason for this, its to keep the team balanced and stable and it really works. on paper a team may not be as strong as another but if they know each others game inside out and have played with one another for a few seasons that adds up to be a great positive factor.


So for 2011 we've brought in some experience in Cross, and some young (he is only 25) fire power in Weller Hauraki. Then we have signed on a couple of promising kids. It has been stated we haven't much money left to play with, but if we did who do we sign who is available? Do we spend the money for the sake of it? At the end of the 2011 season I do expect a few massive signings for Leeds. We have a potential exodus of high wage earning players in the likes of Ali, Kylie, Keith (unless he feels he can hack another Indian summer season) and poss Webb (if BJB proves he has what it takes to be a class FB). Also with Hardaker coming back from his loan there could be a potential departure of Delaney. This all frees up a lot of money and I suspect as the Sleeve stated recently is all booked in and he already knows who is defo leaving and what monetary values he has to play with. Unlike football where a deal can be done in days RL operates a little differently. Clubs are willing to release their prized assets but they like to do a deal a year in advance. This gives you time to negotiate the right deal. That's why I believe we have some exciting prospects coming in for 2012.

One last thing is going back to whoever mentioned the point of not been excited by any of the new signings. You know what is making me excited? I'm actually really looking forward to seeing the likes of BJB, Watkins, Clarkson, Pitts, McShane, Coady and Amor push on into the first team and cementing their place in the future of the Rhinos

Keith may not want to retire since he wants to be the first to play 500 ( I think or it ncould be 600) superleague games which will take him the next 2 seasons.

Why is it that everyone thinks that because I’m not excited about our new signings there is an assumption that I’m somehow opposed to them?

It’s like assuming that if someone doesn’t like the taste of pork then they must be a vegetarian.

For the record I’m sure Cross, Hauraki, etc will do us well it’s just that they’ve not stirred my loins.

No room for sentiment. If he's not good enough then move him on.

Coady and Pitts don’t do anything for me - I hope I'm wrong though.

But the likes of BJB, Watkins, Clarkson, McShane and Amor are no doubt the ones that’ll cement a first team place for years to come unless one of them has a lot of bad luck. However I think that the most exciting prospect we have is Luke Ambler. Such a shame that he’s on a season long loan.

Don't disagree ( for once), I wonder where he'll end up? Wakey ( if they exist in SL) or Salford, maybe even the Crusaders but I can't see him leaving his horse behind for the Quins.

i like pitts and time is on his side. still not sure about watkins but again he has loads of time on his side

Watkins from what I’ve seen of him is potentially world class. Some of his flick passes are as good as you can get from the best in the NRL. His pace isn’t too bad either. On another plus is that he’s improved year after year. But the downside is his injuries. Hopefully the Rhinos are as paitiant with him as they have been with JJB over the years.

I’m probably been a bit harsh on pitts and coady because they haven’t had much time to prove themselves properly. However

I'm glad you've finally seen sense.

He's done 2. One went to hand, the other went in the North Stand.

Don't worry, I won't be making a habit of this.
Not that you care anyway.

McShane is probably the most over rated young player I have ever seen.
I'll take that back, that would be Ste Tyrer, but you get my drift.