it'd be nice to think there wasn't. Could it be that Powell's injury is such that he's decided to call it a day?

It would fit in with the timing of this signing

I’ve been thinking that Powell’s injury maybe worse than initially indicated. Also why issue today the news on Leeming’s signing? Maybe we are trying to get him here before the end of the season?
Interesting times

Of course Powell may stay and shift position....after all he did start as a half-back.........

Cust has never looked like a No. 6.

I hope not.

Superb signing.

I’d imagine this means the end for Cust and probably leaves Powell at a bit of an impasse. It’s clear O’Neill is a far better hooker and prospect

This won't look good on his CV. https://www.zerotackle.com/titans-hooke ... 24-158374/

This won't look good on his CV. https://www.zerotackle.com/titans-hooke ... 24-158374/

Well this has come from nowhere, seemed like no one had heard rumours of this.

This tells me two things though.. a) maybe the info I had about Powell and Peet not seeing eye to eye does have a semblance of truth about it or b) as someone alluded to earlier, maybe Powell's injury is more serious than is being reported. Not sure what this means for Forber though who I believe is very highly rated at Wigan. Usually 9s interchange so it probably means little change for O Neill

NB I have been in Sheffield for the weekend with mates so didn't go MIA just because Saints got hammered

Quick and supports well, though poor decision maker and weak defensively. As mentioned earlier a slightly better version of Dwyer.

Leeds fan here in peace.

Leeming is a good player and will have some great games, but he has his weaknesses.

He was more often than not taking the wrong option on important plays and isn't a 9 who distributes and works well with the half backs, largely this is the reason Rohan Smith preferred O'Conner (who is now a better hooker IMO!)

Leemings defence is pretty ropey for a nine, often pushed off in contact and can be a bit lazy in his defensive duties.

I think he's an OK signing for you guys but 4 years is way too long IMO and I would wager that e doesn't see out his contract just as he didn't for Hudds and Leeds, and he basically threw his toys out of the pram with us when it was obvious he didn't want to share the hooking duties and got dropped as captain.

From what Ive seen I think you've got a better player in O'Neil.

I suppose the beauty is that we have O’Neill, so Leeming will need to perform. I think they’ll share the role and that’s a strong combo IMO.

It is - I just hope Brad O'Neill isn't inclined to look elsewhere. He's really progressed over the last few months and hopefully Wigan have reassured him that he's still a big part of the plan going forward. Definitely think its the right decision to move on from Powell but O'Neill and Leeming need to be looked at as equals with the best performer starting.

Notice Saints fans comparing him to their potential signing in Daryl Clark and most saying they have the better deal. Not sure on that one - there are pros and cons to both. Clark has definitely reached heights that Leeming hasn't got to yet. But then his recent form has been generally poor, he's 3-4 years older and his game mostly centred around his pace from.duy half (something that he won't have as much of at 31).

The more I’ve thought about this signing the more I’m leaning on the why have we signed him?
Working on the assumption that Cust is going and Powell is also off (Catalan/early retirement?) would still leave us with Leeming, O’Neil and Forber in the first team squad. How long can we keep Forber “happy” being third choice or even fourth choice if Powell actually stays? Maybe O’Neil has been poached by the nrl?
I quite liked Leeming when he played for Huddersfield but from what I’ve seen of him at Leeds he doesn’t seem to have progressed as I would have expected.
If there is only Cust departing from the hooking fraternity then for me this could be a poor use of the salary cap particularly as we have greater needs elsewhere in the squad.
Surely there other moves/announcements in respect of our hooking roster?
Interesting times.