In fairness Salford were playing decent stuff at the time and made a GF when we were miles off being able to. It's always the case that the grass looks greener when you're own side's in a mess.
Bit like fans clamouring for burgess while our own props look a bit iffy. A stronger group and more fans would be viewing him as way past his best rather than worrying we missed out on signing him.

Broken collar bone for Walters, out 12 weeks if he needs an op.

That's a shame for him but Wigan can cope with the forwards they have I think

If Wire with their recent history are saying Burgess is silly money then it must certainly be !

On our juniors, its so nice to be talking about a bunch f them having real potential. It firstly means there's far more chance of a couple making it big, but it also thankfully reduces the hype we used to get around the one or two promising juniors we'd had previously.

For those that know, is this because Leeds started focusing on signing and developing the best kids again, or how much is just luck that a group of talented kids the same age are coming through? The reason I ask is that while we haven't produced that many good juniors recently, I can't see that there are a great set of homegrown players in their early-mid 20s across the rest of the league that Leeds might have missed out on.

Agree mate I suspect it was either Hudson or Eseh. I also think we have made so many changes to the side, we need some time to watch. With various ypumg lads knocking on the door now, even a year is a long time.

Far more ITK folk on here who go to academy games etc but from what I hear / have had told to me - to put it politely Leeds completely took their eye off the academy and it was in no certain terms "a mess". I was told one parent had to sit down with his son and tell him he wasnt staying at Leeds because it was going to hamper his progress and so he moved onto another academy.
To be fair to Leeds with all the off field issues / losing Rob and the first team being a basket case for years I cant deep down really blame them, bigger fish to fry etc.

They also realised the problem and have taken steps to address them which are now paying off in spades. IIRC they got a very good crop of players from Siddal (was it??) who looked the business and they've gone back to competing for the best youth players in the country again and also have completely changed the attitude towards and pathways for newer academy players which in these days of negativity is to be applauded. Even the lad who left Leeds was asked to come back and from what I understand he is once he's able, his dad has said it was "night and day" difference so "big up" Leeds for that. Still plenty of work to do but.... Hats off.

Year below McCormack is Harry Smith, who's a very good half, and for me, at this stage of starting his first year in the Academy, is ahead of both Sinfield and McCormack at the same stage. I really like Dylan Hutchinson in that age group aswel.

Then theres Jacob Hardy, who's an excptional player, the year below that, he can play Backrow or 6 and is a Stevie Ward level talent.

Some seroious halfback talent in our system at the moment.

That`s great to know and shows we are making a real effort to invest in the kids.
Let`s hope the likes of Warrington don`t start throwing silly money at them and pinch them off us.

Just out of interest Seth where do you think the Giants will finish in the league table for 24? They don't seem to have spent that much on transfers and you clearly don't rate Watson.

I think 7th/8th, Watsons finger pointing approach to coaching speaks volumes of his ability to pull a side together to compete at any higher level.

Maybe so for mine Cas and Salford are looking light other than that I think this year it will be very competitive can't wait for kick off.

Yeah hopefully kr and Leigh build on last year, Leeds wire u and FC improve and London throw a few backs to the wall performances in.

Personally think Leigh will tank this year.

Not many of the press picking Leeds to do much. Good. Should be a bit extra motivation.