League Express confirms that Leeds Rhinos have activated their one year option for Cameron Smith keeping him at the club next season.

Correct decision I think, but I’d want to see him step up next year. Lots of potential still.

We have a silly amount of back rowers still and not enough in the front row.

Yep. 1 year makes sense. He clearly has ability but has lost his way a bit this season

He needs a run in one position. Coming off the bench for 15 to 20 minutes and playing all over the park isn't going to benefit him in the long term

For me, the coaches need to help Smith by clarifying his role in the team. From what I've seen he has a very good skill set. Can throw cut out passes and short kicks through. If he's going down the Stevie Ward route of just a battering ram with big defense, I don't think he'll ever be the player he's been hyped to be.

He should be groomed to take over at Loose when Merrin goes. This should give him 3 years to have a defined role (which would have more ball playing than Merrin currently does) but also someone to lock up the middle.

He’s a very talented young kid and has had some unjustified criticism when, as a young kid, he’s made mistakes.

That is true but he's also missed some D this season, especially laterally, and I think been a bit greedy at times rather than playing for the team with his distribution skills - possibly coach-driven though.

He has great aggression but I'd like to see him improve his conditioning a bit too. He needs either more mass or more pace, there's something a bit missing for him at SL level currently.

To cover the other point: yes he is skilful, but we can't have a whole pack of ball playing forwards who can't get us forward through the tough stuff. All players should be able to play, don't get me wrong. His problem in essence is that I'd probably prefer Merrin or Ward at 13, and I'm not sure he has the strike at 11 or 12 on the edges.

Agree his natural position is probably loose, and so understudy to Merrin works. Ward's fitness is always a doubt and Merrin will get injured at some point too.

I’d actually rather see Wardy as a wide threat, he has more pace.

Skilful player. Not sure if he needs to be more physical/aggressive, faster, fitter, quicker of thought, or all four.

So do i.Next season I would play Smith at 13 Ward and Merrin 11 12.Merrin can move to 13 later in the game if we want Merrin to play big minutes.

Ward is the only England-quality player in the whole squad now, we've really missed him this year.

Really hope the lad can get fit and stay fit for us going forward.

It's funny how we've signed Mellor and Martin as a priority. Both have some pace, which is maybe something the club is looking to address.

I believe they've had Trout playing centre too out on loan.

Anyway, another year is a good call and hopefully Smith will develop under a more consistent regime now.

I suspect Martin will nail down a second row spot actually once he settles. He is quick, and we've really lacked that from the pack.

Martin, Ward, Sutcliffe, Mellor would be my "experienced" selection for second row next year with Trout, Walters and Mustapha in reserve.

I'd have Merrin and Smith rotating at 13 with McConnell in reserve (or any spare second rowers).

Then we need another first grade quality prop and I'd have them with Ava, Oledski, Holroyd with Singo and Peteru in reserve.

A new 7 to replace Myler with McLelland in reserve.

A winger if you fancy.

You could be right about Martin but I also see him making a real impact from the bench.He's very quick runs good lines and with good ball will hurt teams.A new 7 has to be a priority.Agree about another prop but will we find one whos none overseas I'm not so sure.I hope Holroyd is given a good go and who knows we may not need another prop.Walters looks a real talent and will hopefully get a few games but we are we placed for backrowers.A winger would be nice.

Not sure about this, suppose its ine mire year to see if he can cut the mustard but he looks championship standard at the moment, like his brothers demanded top coin and not living up to the hype. He dies look st natural 13 whuch us a thing if the past, but its up to pkayers like him to make the ball playing 13 the in thing again. Should be trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck more and not floundering around, and needs serious work in defence. Last chance next year, but I honestly think he is a falorn hope, and walters trout Mellors should be above him now and lets see what they can do.

I guess 1 year is a sign that younger players need to really earn the longer contracts we used to hand out. So they should.

I think a decision needs to be made and we tell him he will be operating at 13 next year in rotation with Merrin, and focus on that.

Can’t see him making it through the competition at second row now. As a smart footballer who can read games a bit and fill in gaps, he could be very good.

He does need to make sure his D is absolutely rock as part of that. He’s pretty good head on and still young to be fair.

I agree too many average young players given far too longer contracts in the past.It could well have been longer but cheaper.

Agree with giving Smith another year,still young and has ability.
Back to Stevie Ward.IF he does get fit i would have him out of the firing line so to speak and in the centre,he has pace and passing ability.Most of all he can take Hurrells place because im afraid Konrad is a liability in defence.

That's not going to happen Hurrell just needs to start reading the defence lines better.

Apart from his age he has little going for him. He just has not developed this year, he is way behind the likes of Merrin and Martin, however the club have done right in giving him the extra year. Hopefully for the rest of this season and next season, the club will allow him to develop into a player in one role whatever that role will be. Someone like Merrin need to take him under their wing and mentor him, help him develop and hopefully we will see a different player than we have this year. The sad fact is he has been playing in a poor team these last two seasons so we have not seen the best in him, maybe in a quality team we would see a different player. The pressure on a young player trying to develop in a struggling team is tough however he needs now to look forward.

We seem to have a tendency to push our younger players around a number of positions and not letting them settle, I know there's the argument that there needs to a level of flexibility within the team but just seems that by not having that little bit of stability and ability to "grow into" the required body shape / mass to be effective in the positions played.

Yes exactly!
He has plenty of games under his belt and still cannot defend.
Impact second rower at best

I think the one year thing is because his existing deal had the option of 1 more year and the club have just exercised that option.

That's not always the case though is it? Holroyd will play prop right through because he's a prop. Hall played pretty much wing right through. If a player is good enough in one position we can afford to develop them just there. There are plenty of examples.

I don't think Cam's D has been strong enough at times to play loose, and we have some other options there, hence moving around a bit. I don't think he's a hooker either but I suppose until he cements a position then he has to fit in where the need is.

Overall given another year or two Cam Smith could develop into a very good 13.

He holds onto the ball and kills our attack. Same as Liam Sutcliffe. Get rid of both and Ferres!