We'll get a good indication of what Powell is like in a high intensity game (should he play on Sat)
If he looks comfortable, I'd have no problem having him as our 6 next season.

Young, British halves didn't do Leeds any harm, did it?

Get Powell and Smith into a settled partnership and they should go well in SL imo.

i was really happy with the smith signing but i would be a little bit disappointed with signing green i would much prefer just to let Sam Powell have a good crack at it if no better signings are available

That isnt a good decision after just 1 first team game. He will have a drop in form and will need time to rest. He should play a season as back up first. Powell played at 7 last week and smith at 6 from my recolections.

We've done well over the past few seasons due to us having a strong squad and not just a strong 13 or 17.

To ask Powell to be first choice halfback next year would be crazy IMO. If he, smith or McIlorum get injured who comes in? As an example say Micky Mac (god forbid) was ruled out for a few months, who'd come in? I'd guess Logan Tomkins leaving us a 6,7 and 9 of Powell, Smith and Logan. Now imagine we were playing Wire and coming up against Briers, Myler and Monaghan or Catalans with Pryce, Dureau and Henderson, they just couldn't compete with that at the moment.

A halfback signing is an absolute must.

Time for Sam to step up in an emergency?

We need another experienced HB for certain, although Powell is a good prospect, and Sam is a FB and must remain there.

Possibly but then who steps up at fullback?

I'd guess Russell but then it's still a youngster too far IMO with Powell at halfback.

To lose Carmont, Finch, Leuluai and Lima and sign just Smith would be a disaster but I'm sure that won't be the case.

Maybe we'll replace the four of them,
Finch to be replaced by Green.
Lima replaced by a former NRL South Sea Islander prop.
Tommy's replacement is Matty Smith
Carmont by Lulia (sp) from Bradford. Whatever happens at Odsal, players are going to leave to reduce costs. He is in contract so won't want to be 12000 miles from home and find himself out of work.

Of those Green is now rumoured as was Lulia some time ago.
Smith is already here and I do think Lima will be replaced.

We are losing a lot of experience, IL and SW will have been aware of this long before we were so will have been on the case for some time.

I'm pretty sure Carmont's replacement will be Thornley, Hughes or Gelling. I doubt we need to sign another centre. A prop and a halfback will be the most crucial signings.

I agree. I cant see us signing a centre unless a top class one becomes available for a year at a good price (which is unlikely)

Anyone heard anything about Joel coming back?