Scruton for Burgess would be the worst deal of the century. Scruton is one of the best young props in the league. If Leeds would be willing to release I'd take Burgess over Koppy.

Anyone else think this thread was about Sams return at first glance?

I rest my case...

Anybody else thought that he could be a replacement for Sculthorpe, if his infection has worsened? All that would do would push Whitehead onto the bench, when he deserves a starting spot imo.

.........erm, no but thanks..

Sorry, it appears I misread. I thought Leeds were after Scruton in return, I think it actually meant the fans wanted him. My bad!

In which case, since that's never gonna happen, let's look at the reality.

Burgess is a decent player. He may not be Lynch/Scruton quality, but he has the potential to be a very good player. I'm sure the family connection also helps. He's certainly better than Kopczak, so would improve the side.

The bottom line though is what's in it for Leeds? He's under contract for another 18 months yet, so they have to get something in return.

I can't see them being interested in one of our players (not one that we'd be willing to let go anyway).
I can't see us offering them money.

All that leaves is them releasing him. So, unless they need the cap space for something, why would they possibly do that? It can't be for Lee Smith's wage this season, because if they had to release someone to bring in Smith, the RFL wouldn't have allowed the registration under the live salary cap system.

All that says to me, it won't be happening this year. If it's gonna happen, it'll be next season at the earliest, when Leeds may well be making room on the cap.

As I said, bottom line, it's entirely in Leeds' hands. If they don't want him to go, he ain't going.

No but it might be next seasons. He's signed a 3.5 year deal hasn't he? Peanuts this year for the salary cap but an increase next?

Indeed. Which also gives credence to my point that it won't happen until next year at the every earliest.

I thought salary cap meant your wage averages out. So a club can't get away with paying someone 100 quid a week one year and 2000 quid a week the following year.

AFAIK Leeds Rhinos had to make a choice between keeping Burgess/ Scruton for salary cap reasons. Probably a bad choice in hindsight for me, but at the time Burgess was firing. Scruton has improved loads whereas burgess has kept at same level.

tbh it doesn't look like sculthorpe will ever pull on a bradford shirt. therefore we are short in terms of props. most people are of the opinion that crossley isn't up to standard and both younger burgess' are still a way off from being ready for SL. so, if we had the chance to sign him then I'd say get him signed.

but i'll believe it when i see it

Before this gets shot down by Leeds fans, it's not an accusation and I'm just thinking out loud, but they have just brought Lee Smith back in and so the question of how they have managed it under the salary cap must be raised. Could it be that they are looking to offload a forward (where they are pretty well covered if their squad is fully fit) to accomodate a new three quarter (where they are not) and if so then would such a deal have had to be completed prior to Smith's arrival?

To be clear again, I'm not suggesting that anyone is breaking the salary cap here. It's not Warrington after all.....

under the live cap they wouldnt be allowed to register smith without having cap space afaik. They may have an issue going forward with some of younger players getting a pay rise due to number of 1st team appearances, which they are having to play due to injuries to senior players. So they may want to create some cap space for this reason.
That said the comments on leeds board were along lines of burgess wanting to leave rather than leeds wanting to offload him.