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.

If we want to be a top team, we need a kicker with an 85% success rate or so. We’ve not been good enough to be in enough contests where it would be a deciding factor, but under BA and with some more quality added to the squad, we will be in those positions and it will become a deciding factor.

Martin's goal kicking is invaluable, but I'm of the view that we need a bigger 2nd row when the other 2nd row will be McDonnell / Bentley / Gannon.

Goalkicking can definitely make the difference and it does build pressure going up in 6`s as opposed to 4.
There`s only Frawley or Miller imo that are capable but I would put them nearer the 65% success rate compared to Martins 80%+
Sinfield is probably the only other one who could get near Martin and he is unlikely to play more than 10 games.

Frawley isn't a goal kicker.

Momirosvki was goal kicker for Wests when he played, not sure of his success rate though. Miller kicked for Newcastle, again not sure on his success rate.

Now Im not for one minute saying they are as good as Martin, not many are, but we may have to go with them, I don't think we are in a position to recruit someone just for their goal kicking.

Yeh I saw a report saying that Arthur will be taking Dufty and Momirovski to Perth with him.
And Momirovski because of his goal kicking.
Granted it was Aussie press, but still he must have a decent record.

We'll miss Martin's goal kicking no doubt, but if we get a big powerful back row in his place, I can live with that.
As well as the 2 props we need of course.

I thought he went really well tonight against Catalan. He is really the only player in our forward pack who looks to be able to break the line. I think we will also miss his versatility to be able to move to centre which means we haven’t had to carry any backs on the bench for a long time.

Still not officially signed for KR. While I think changes are needed if he doesn't count on the overseas quota next year it seems mad to let him go unless a very impressive replacement has been lined up. Arthur has proved you don't need the biggest team, you just need to play as a team. Would like rhyse to be part of 2025 though.