It's still early days yet, who knows whether the players will continue to respond to Arthur in a couple of years, assuming he can be pinned down (I hope he stays by the way). Yet despite the new regime it is disconcerting that Martin wants to go to HKR (it would feel better if we had an exciting replacement quota forward lined up).

N.B. Arthur needs to make the GF to match up to Smith's first run of games in charge - ideally he'll go one better and win it.

Hopefully, though Smith could have done him the courtesy of buggering off sooner to give Arthur the same amount of time he had. Has he then got to try reinvent the game and spectacularly screw the team up in the process to reach RS dizzy heights of achievement

my dad said never argue with an idiot. they drag you down to there level and beat you on experience

I would think money would be the main reason why Martin may be leaving, players have a relatively short career and a lot finish up with long term ailments when they retire. So make hay while the sun shines, he has been brilliant for us, best of luck to him. As for Smith forced out the club by a handful of fans? Your definition of small number may differ to the vast majority of fans. He was sacked because he was a failure, the senior management at the club sacked him not the fans. No doubt the management looked at the league table, plus the woeful on the field performances and thought we have had enough of this shambles. Not forgetting some of the dud players we are saddled with.

FWIW I was not seriously suggesting Martin wants out because of Smith's departure. I'm just not convinced that the supposedly increased prospect of winning trophies at HKR is the main incentive either. It is all speculation really, but we don't have to automatically pick the reason that puts Leeds in a bad light.

I suspect Martin has gone to HKR as he believes he has more chance of success there than at Leeds. Possibly, he has got a slightly better pay deal form it too, who knows.

Rhyse demands are not that high but the length of contract he wanted is at Leeds they offered him 3 years and more money. If he signs for Hull KR it will be less money and shorter terms.

It's not the reason that puts Leeds in a bad light though is it, it's the reason that reflects where we're are at, hkr are 10 points ahead of us sitting top of the table with a stable squad and quality coach who is progressing then year on year, we're outside the playoff's still in 'transition' needing an ove. haul of the pack and still don't have a coach confirmed for next year. I'd say HKR are obviously better places for success

Cooke report - I can believe a lot of things, but Martin signing for KR for less money and a shorter deal is horse manure. Maybe less money and a longer deal or vice versa, but both? He'll turn 32 at the start of next year, so this will be his last major contract. You can believe whatever you want about success being the cause of a move, but I'd bet the main factor is trying to maximise his remaining career earnings.

A player at the end of his career moves clubs for less money and a shorter deal.
Literally heard it all now....

Not a done deal to HKR according to latest reports, wonder what's going on there ???

The BA effect?

Make him captain for next year and match what KR are offering over 2 years when he then goes with Arthur to Perth.

Martin's a decent player but we need size and only have one quota spot. I know we'll miss his kicking, but when you take a close look we haven't won/lost on goal kicks very often at all, and we have a couple of options who might do OK if they train to kick goals.

As for going to Perth in 2027, really? Martin will be 34 then. There are very few forwards that age going round the NRL, and most of those are on their last legs.

We may not have won/lost many by goal kicks but, when we do get over the line, going up in 6's rather than 4's has a psychological effect on opponents when chasing the scoreboard, their decision making around running plays rather than taking 2 for example. And when it is close, having a kicker like Martin means taking 2 has the same impact on opponents. It's a massive part of the game in building scoreboard pressure that, as has been said elsewhere, is probably the only facet where we currently have an advantage over the rest.