Leeds have repeatedly said Gale is staying and Austin has been brought in as utility cover and accepts that role on a cheaper salary. Not sure why people think differently.

It's bizarre isn't it. The plan for 2022 is really clear, to have quality depth across the park so we aren't exposed in the way we have been this season. Gale as one of three top quality half backs is integral to that.

Yep absolutely. One or more of the three will have injury at some point next year no doubt. We are trying to build resiliency in every position.

I am on the fence on this game. We are in with a chance, but Saints are probably good enough to take it out of our hands if they want to.

Big thing for me is no stupid forward passes, dropped balls and silly discipline issues especially in the early phases. It will annoy me if we give the game to them easily and we have got that in us sometimes. If we play tight we’re difficult for any side. I just think we’ll miss Gale too much.

It will depend on the coach I suppose are we staying with Agar or is he moving upstairs?

I see the point if we have injuries - I cant see how Gale and Sezer play together - I see how Austin plays with either. time will tell.

GH says lots of things - I try and not read too much into them.

I suspect one or two things may change next season. Gale is injury prone and one more big one might see him gone/retired. I think we'll see combinations of Gale, Sezer and Austin throughout the year.

I imagine we will start with Gale LHS and Sezer RHS. Austin I'm not sure. Maybe a bench spot but he'll want to force his way back in to the starting 13.

It's a pity we won't have that kind of halves pairing available for this season because we aren't a million miles off otherwise.

A mate of mine spoke to Michael Carter some time ago about Wakey signing Gale.
Carter said Gale wouldn`t be coming and his words not mine Austin would likely play LF.
Doubt that would happen imo but Austin might be there to cover centre putting pressure on Sutcliffe.
Hear what you are saying Shabino but expect the unpredictable and turn the tables on Saints before they get in to the groove maybe.

Gale will play in the Boxing Day game for Trinity, that should add to the attendance.

The weather has most definitely taken a turn for the autumnal. Forecast for St Helens on Friday looks pretty grim, which has to favour Leeds given the speed and class of the Saints outside backs.

Yes if our handling skill is up to it. Think like everyone else, I'm just looking forward to the game.

I suppose if Cats win against HKR, they might have an extra day recovery but they also have the travel to Manchester for the final so it kindof evens out.

Another thing is that if we have almost our full side out minus Gale and Walker, it's a real good benchmark going into the pre-season for 2022. We need to be ambitious to pass Saints not just catch them - and they are still making strong signings when they're the best side in the comp. We signed Mitch Achurch...

Unfortunately it's Kendall.

how does he get big games? dreadful

A church came with a pretty decent rep from Oz. Hindsight is a fine thing!!

No bans from llast week

seem to remember achurch came with no reputation as nobody had heard of him!

possibly had has many sl players do well without reputations as those that failed with reputations then there was vickery

possibly had has many sl players do well without reputations as those that failed with reputations then there was vickery

Trying to imagine a Leeds - HKR final with Ryan Hall playing against us….

I reckon I’m 40% for a Leeds win against Saints. I reckon we will match them down the middle this time.

If Kendall is ref then our chances are certainly reduced. How he has got the semi final I will never know.

Same squad as last week, so no Gale.

I could see Mellor and/or King coming in this week.

Myler
Briscoe Newman Briscoe Handley
Lui Leeming
Thompson Dwyer Prior
Martin Donaldson
Tetevano

Hurrell Oledzki Holroyd Smith

Broadbent, Gannon, Vuniyayawa, Mellor

Either that or Hurrell starts with Mellor on the bench.

I expect at least one of them will play this week

I would change Donaldson for Mellor if he is fit

I would also change Thompson and start with Holroyd and then King on the bench instead of Thompson. I know King has a mistake in him but he can bang in D and is difficult to handle. Thompson is more of a steady away player but doesn’t even do big minutes. Rather put all our big men in and try and dominate them up front. When was the last time anybody did that to Saints? If we could then I think we have a shout. If we can only keep it on par in the middle then they will expose us out wide , especially if Lomax is playing

It all depends who's fit enough doesn't it? Hurrell and King look like they're struggling to me. Big call to put Mellor back in to this game straight from injury lay-off, but again if he's fit I think he might beef us up a bit in that back row.

Agree we need to attempt to challenge them down the middle, I guess as with every game. I can't see us defending Saints to nil and we are going to have to score some points against them.

Gannon might come in for Thompson, with Donaldson moving to be bench and Oledzki starting too.