Going to have to disagree a little with you there.

IMO he picks a running line as well as any other back-rower at the club, and his leg drive in contact has been instrumental in him picking up a couple of tries from close range.

The form of JJB in particular and to a lesser extent Ablett I would agree with you on though, not up to their usual high standards in 2010.

I do agree to extent, but at this moment in time he doesn't win that many collusions, and he seems to get smashed backwards quite a lot, if he can develop some power into his game to go with (as you say) his ability to pick a good line he will become one of the best in the comp.

Sheesh.... Some people just don't read enough.

Lots of speculation as to who might be signed; Watkins needs to be given his opportunity in a season of transition/low expectations ( how long would you rely on Senior ? ) ....and the pacy Jones-Bishop for the other centre spot IF no new signing is forthcoming.

Smith and Ablett despite their own inadequate misgivings are still a better option than Delaney IMO.....for reasons which have been covered time and time again.

that's probably down to not enough time in the gym given he was on a part time contract until three quarters way through the season. I think a full off season's gym work should do wonders especially as I agree with Andy Gilder about the lines he runs.

Who knows the overseas status with regards some of Leeds players during 2010?

For mine: On Quota: =#0000BFDelaney, =#0000BFBuderus, =#0000BFEastwood

Probably applied for and received exemptions: =#FF0000Webb, =#FF0000Donald, =#FF0000Leuluai, =#FF0000Lauitiiti

As Leeds probably have =#0000BFDelaney, =#0000BFBuderus, =#FF0000Webb, =#FF0000Leuluai and =#FF0000Lauitiiti under contract and assumed to be staying that leaves Leeds (based on the above guesswork which may well be incorrect) with 3 quota spaces available should they wish to fill them (subject to following the home grown positive quotas also.)

I'm sure I read somewhere that Eastwood has an Irish decendancy and therefore wasn't included in the overseas quota - could be wrong though

I believe his dad was born in Huddersfield?

I think that is what took the p1ss in the first place. He applied for a British passport, bacause of his father or grandfather been born in Huddersfield, which is a longer process than a working visa. Then that got turned back so he went for a visa and so on.

Indeed. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the lad turns out.

Either may well be true but neither prevents him being overseas trained and therefore IMO included in the Quota as introduced in time for the 2008 season.

(A new system in part designed to remove the grandmother, passport type exemptions previously allowed under the old system.)

www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/artic ... -bulldogs/

www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/artic ... -bulldogs/

Glad to see the back of him and his pet lip.

Let's hope we're getting something good out of the 'deal'

Manu and Blair are contracted to Storm for 2011. Given they've offloaded Inglis, Finch, Hoffman, White, Tolman, Lima and Tandy, they're not under any pressure to let anyone else go. Given 5 of those are forwards, Blair and Manu will be the senior players in the melbourne pack next year

I would love to see Tom Learoyd Lars at headingley in the front row ! A top Bannana ! Whats his current contract situation ?

Manu is contracted for 2011 but has been told he can leave or get peanuts.

Would the RFL seem to have zero standards if it allowed such a high tariff punishment to enable players to continue in the sport over here?

I agree, but wouldn't be the first time we've opened our arms to the NRL's troublemakers.

Big shame in all this is the cloud over Mason's signing for Hull KR that could have generated some column inches for the sport without these undertones.

We allowed two players over here to continue for the exact same thing, after just a short ban, so why not?

I think there is a subtle difference between trying to manufacture something during a match, and just thinking the team picked by your crackpot coach is sh*t and would get humped.

I take your point though.

Bit of a difference between using some inside information and actually trying to fix the result of the game

They weren't trying to fix the result. They were (accused of) trying to fix special market bets like the first score of the match being a penalty, just as footballers used to kick the ball straight out of play from kickoff to collect spread-bets on the time of the first throw-in. It's not that big a deal...(preparing self-deluding moral defence in the event of Leeds signing Blair or Thurston, does not apply if the filthy cheats go anywhere else).

i understand that, was being a bit lazy with my post.

to rephrase the above post, the st helens players werent able to directly influence the outcome of the market they had bet on, as opposed to the cheating that is alleged to have occured in the NRL.

Gleeson was able to, but he had a good game and scored the first try!

Which two players were banned for match fixing???