I can get what you are saying but clearly Sinfield sees the likes of Thompson and now Donaldson as players who can do a job a certain way that fits us under the cap and gives some cover when required.
Thompson didn`t make it but Donaldson did.

On the note of giving the kids a chance.
Yes I agree but not sure they can do it for a full season or that they are ready just yet to even try and do it for a full season.

Who knows Donaldson might not get much game time anyway but he must have something the kids don`t have otherwise Sinfield would not have recruited him.
Then again who is to say Sinfield knows what he`s on about

Don't get me wrong, I'm not pro Donaldson, I wouldn't have signed him. But then I have no coaching credentials or experience so I have no idea what I'm talking about.

If the coaching staff think he is worth a year then I'm ok with that. The only youth player he will really impact is Cam Smith who is is coming through in his position. But then it's only a year contract and if Smith is half decent he will get picked ahead of him anyway.

I just don't see how we lose on this one.

I don’t think Donaldson will have an impact on Smith. Just because you are labelled backrow, doesn’t mean you all play the same, or the same role. Both players are completely different, and certain parts of game one or the other don’t have in them. I think Donaldson will be more of a back up for Ferres, and in the main will be competing with JJB for a squad spot. I said after Boxing Day I don’t think you would have a seventeen with both in. The JJB role will be Donaldson, depending on injuries and form. And I don’t think Trout who is the other youngster, can play that role.

Fair point.

Just brings me back round to not seeing the issue with the signing.

Trout who did the full 80 when England beat the Aussie Schoolboys?

Spot on.

Its exactly the same as others like Marty are saying & backed up by the quality of the player in question.
Of course you'll call it whinging because it doesnt fall in line with the happy clappers & shoots down that BS computer game reference you used.

I'm not sure how Donaldson will be used and no I don't see him playing all season.
But he has been brought in for a reason and if we do get injuries and suspensions I'm sure he will get his chance.
Let's face it Walters got plenty of chances and ended up scoring the winning try in a GF.
I certainly would put Donaldson ahead of him when it comes to choice.
Yes we could have saved some money on the cap by not signing him but maybe he has the desire and drive to help the other lads and puts pressure on them to perform.

Time will tell obviously mate i just dont see how he fits in or why he was signed.

On the face of it, there is little to lose, with it likely being a cheap deal, and short term. It would seem that we may have learned some lessons on handing out long contracts to projects.

However, I think that signing him, will limit our ability to bring someone of more ability in later in the season if they were to become available.

I personally feel Donaldson is a better player than many on here are giving him credit for and will bolster our weak pack.

I think you have read that wrong.

I read it as you pointing to JD taking/rotating Jjb's role which is high work rate & doing big minutes.
Trout does that week in week out , im not not saying he can do it for a full seasson yet or even half but he's capable as a rotation option which is why Burrow was pushing for him to play under Mc.D.
The only other role Jjb does is a leadership role & we now have Merrin to take that role.

And like I said, you read it wrong. JJB and Trout are completely different players.