[Frosties.]

We are ok as we are for the short term, but he’s carefully scrutinising the half back market for the LONG term.

Danibo160 wrote:

I wonder what the club will do now, since we’ve lost a half mid season, hope we don’t rush into anything as it will just fall back into the stop-gap method which got us so far into this mess to begin with!

A start would probably be getting rid of the stop-gap manager.

I’m pleased with this in that we have certainty now.

It probably makes sense to retain McLelland; looks like we are interested in Trueman; we would also have quota for an overseas half.

I wasn’t happy about our options at 6 next year so this hopefully means we have a stand off as a priority on the shopping list.

Tell you what Tom Holroyd looks a big thing on his interviews recently, and he’s still only a puppy.

Jrrhino wrote:

I'm probably reading too much into this but Fa'amanu Brown the Samoan half back who Featherstone have signed for next season arrived this week he's been doing some training with Koni Hurrell and Rhyse Martin , believe he's good friends with Martin from there days at Canterbury Bulldogs together, and I think from Brown's instagram he is staying with Martin at the moment. Wonder if Leeds are keeping a close eye on him at Featherstone and maybe want to see how he goes in championship and might want to poach him for 2022 if he shines for Fev? If Lui is off contract and leaves at end of 2021 Leeds might look to bring in Brown as his replacement if he does go well in 2021 season. Leeds and Featherstone obviously have good connections with each other due too the dual reg deal they used to have. Didn't Leeds want to do something like this a couple of years ago when Cameron King was hooker for Fev and we wanted to see how he played over here before we looked at signing him but nothing came of the deal in end?

If Martin resigns with Leeds I think we'll be looking at going for Fa'amanu Brown from Featherstone as one of our halves in 2022. Rhyse Martin partner has posted on the Eastmond Retirement post and commented ' now you can sign Fa'amanu Brown for 2022? Seems a bit strange but a lot of things fall into place he's a halfback, he's already living in Leeds, we now have quota spots open, he's at Fev ( who we have a good relationship with) til end of 2021 so off contract for 2022. I could be reading too much into something but it's a bit sus that Martin's partner has commented that.

Marty Grrrrrrrrrr! wrote:

He says that now but wait til Brodie collars him on Sunday

Don’t worry I will speak to GH on Sunday ,

I don't think Eastmond was signed as the solution for half back. I think he was signed as back up on the basis that only half his salary would count towards the salary cap and if he was a roaring success then great but if not, it provided us cover in a number of backs positions.

I don't think him leaving changes much as a few youngsters have shown this season that they can step up. It would have been nice to have him as half cover, however, he was a long way off and Lui and McLelland are nearly fit again.

I think we would have been in for a big name half next season regardless of Eastmond's announcement today as based on his minimal appearances, he was nowhere near.

Hi all,

New poster been a reader for a long time.

Always interesting discussions and very passionate which is great.

Can’t wait to get back a day at the rugby and a few beers on the terraces

I’d like to think we are going for quality over quantity moving into 2022

A half back who’s currently at Fev doesn’t really fill me with hope if I’m honest.

We need to be going all out for a Trueman and whatever the fee acknowledge it’s a wise investment as it’s a 10 year signing or we recoup the fee if he decides he wants a crack down under

I think we are writing off this season of we can't get a quality replacement in next month or so.
We are ruining Suttys career playing him there, Myler simply isn't good enough at half, who knows if Lui or Mclelland will play more than few games.. Lui looked like he was on one leg even before this injury.
We'll be even more reliant on Gale, and he picks up plenty of injuries these days.......
Are fans prepared to accept season over?

Shabino wrote:

I think we are writing off this season of we can't get a quality replacement in next month or so.
We are ruining Suttys career playing him there, Myler simply isn't good enough at half, who knows if Lui or Mclelland will play more than few games.. Lui looked like he was on one leg even before this injury.
We'll be even more reliant on Gale, and he picks up plenty of injuries these days.......
Are fans prepared to accept season over?

Not prepared to accept a short term panic buy. Need to be patient. Great chance for McLelland to prove his worth behind the strongest pack we've had in a while. Also think Lui will want to go out strong. He's a good career in SL. Neither of them are long way from coming back.