If we win the LLS the argument - my and others argument - for Lam being released is obsolete. I don’t fancy Lam as our head coach, irrespective of how we’ve been playing recently I just don’t believe he’s the one to take us back to winning the SL/CC.

However, even as in ardent “Lam Outer” I can’t die on that hill if we win the LLS and finish top. It looks, and sounds, ridiculous. He will get another year at the very minimum, whether he wins a GF or not IMO.

The squad itself looks immense for 2021. I’d like to see Flower & Clubb moved on and another prop brought in but on the whole it looks well. I am as excited for next season as I am the end of this season.

Well, i was waiting for someone to say...!

What I was going to say, which was, I'm sure I've criticised Lam plenty (but not IL or KR), and I'm sure I'm not the only one, as memory serves! And like 100%, I'm not fully convinced by a handful of good results. But still we go onwards and upwards. We have a great chance to get to the GF and put on a display. Lam could not ask for a better test.

So is he staying or not?

He seemed to give a pretty cryptic message in his Sky TV interview earlier. Said he knew in his heart what he wanted to do

Come on, ye of little faith give a bit of credit where credit is due to the Coach.

I have and will continue to do so where due irrespective of personal opinion on Lam

Very true Jukesays.
I was looking back and we have finished 1st or 2nd in 8 of the last 10 years.
We have contested 5 of the last 7 Grand Finals.
We have won 10 trophies in the 13 years Lenagan has been in charge
We have contested 13 finals in his tenure (6 Grand Finals, 3 Challenge Cups, 4 World Club Challenges)

As supporters, that is my measure of success. Ultimately you are in sport to win. IL/KR have won. I think we have been the most prolific team in terms of trophies in the last decade. What more can you ask?

What I will add though I don't see the incredibly high standards fans have as a completely bad thing. Yes it goes OTT and I include myself in that at times. But the fundamental expectation of constant success, every year, is what makes this club great for me. That said, we know that aligns with IL/KR and you have to say they've met those standards, which is your point.

Add to that ten academy grand final appearances, winning nine. The club has done the majority of things right under Lenagan, perfect, no, but nothing ever is.

You can't beat cold, hard facts.

When you see it all written down, that's some achievement.

The post match interview with Hastings and Leuluai spoke volumes for me:

When asked about their contract situation next year.

Hastings: “I will speak to my agent this weekend and then my mum and decide what to do’

Leuluai: ‘I want to be here and play for this club’

Sounded to me like he is staying and wants to inform his family first that he won't be coming home.

As for rumours the players don't like him, they all wanted their pics with him.

I think he’s staying and I’m happy he is to be honest. I have openly criticised his attitude, something which sometimes does need reigning in, but he has been solid for us.

My only concern is how do Smith/Jax/French/Field mix and play together. If Jax does leave do we have Smith/Field as starting HB’s? I know Field was struggling to get game time there at Parramatta but that’s irrelevant IMO

Add Leuluai in there too! Sounds like he will probably stay. I’m guessing another year playing off the bench for Smith.

Don't understand the criticism of his attitude. He never seems to give less than 100% for me. His social media stuff can rub people the wrong way, but I think he plays to that.

Not sure how I could forget Tommy! I’ve called for him to retire or play 2nd/3rd fiddle to the HB’s and Powell/Bourouh but he’s playing too well for that. But if you look at it without the well earned good sentiment towards Tommy you’ve got to reluctantly say it’s probably time for him to retire.