I suppose it can be looked at in that way too, but I'm sure his contract will be full of incentives and progressive wage increases/bonuses based on appearance/performance related criteria. He also has the security of being tied up to a deal for that period. In those 18 months, he could have picked up a serious injury with Leeds bringing in another hooker, which then resulted in them not offering him a new deal and him having to find a new club.

Yeah, I agree. It's a gamble either way for young kids I suppose, and it must be daunting to have to make such decisions whilst knowing how short a career is even in the best case. I suppose the way it's made easiest is if it's your childhood team making the offer, providing they don't take the p***.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Seems you are all impressed with him.

I know he is highly rated by the staff at Leeds and many tout him as the next 'good thing' and he's impressed in some pre season games the last 18 months or so?

News is that Buderus has been offered a one year extension which according to the Aussie press (his agent really) his is considering,although supposedly Canbera are interested.

If Buderus does stay could mean one of two things. Diskin (who is out of contract this year) is shown the door or that both Buderus & Diskin are retained with Diskin & McShane being our two hookers from 2012.

If the latter then I assume Leeds could look to loan out Paul for next season like we have done with Ben Jones Bishop at Harlequin this year (who is going to be a real cracker jack player,assuming there are no mental scars left from his horrendous head injury received several weeks ago)

Do you think you would be interested in a season long loan deal for Paul next year if that did become a viable option or do you have other plans in that position?

We don't know what's going on with Berrigan, ideally I'd like to sign Diskin but in failing that I'd have mcshane on loan for a season while either a replacement can be signed or a youngster can be brought through.

Diskin would be a great signing, and use Berrigan or his quota spot in the backs.

Diskin and Houghton would really work well together.

True.

If reports in the oz press are to be believed buderus and Eastwood won't see out the season with Leeds and will be back in the nrl before heir transfer deadline.

If true I'm sure Leeds will sort diskin a new deal pretty sharpish.

Be amazed if leeds let 2 key players go mid season

thought he was a full back?

as would I especially as their rumoured to be in talks with buderus about a extention.

I'd take McShane for 12 months anyway and use our International centre in the centres.

Many on here are demanding that we sign a world class aussie centre, we already have one!

From a balance perspective i think its a strong option to move Berro to the centres. I agree it's potentially a risk to have 2 young developing hookers but i do like the look of both of them. With Salford announcing that they wont offer Alker a new deal i wonder if theyre going to be in the market for someone like McShane for 12 months. I'd love to see us do the deal.

Berro for me has the ability to be the best centre in the league and as a hooker i dont think his style fits with the way we play the game at FC or in SL. Maybe the best option.

Berro at centre would be a great idea. definately a class act. strong runner with the ball and has a good rugby brain. would be good to give Houghton a chance to really develop. he's really come along nicely with Berro being injured and i can see him developing into a quality player if he's given enough game time.