Frosties, any idea if there is a chance of Senior being resigned instead of an external signing or will GH stick with the young backs we've got now for 2012? Webb needs to be also replaced after 2012 (if not before).

Given the potential Hardaker has, I'd rather not sign another centre at all. Watkins may be injury prone (although I remember suggesting JJB should be dumped for that reason at about the same age) but he's got talent. There is absolutely no point in signing another Brett Delaney standard centre, or one who may be a bit better today but will black a position for two years. Given that we have pretty good cover in Ablett and Delaney, I just don't see the need.

What we do need is a hard running second row, and lets be honest we really ought to be seeing some of the forwards currently on the books leave.

Good points BR and i also agree plus their are forward(s) to be "coming onto the books" that shouldn't be aswell let alone ones here that should leave.

Are you Dean Lance?

Oops. Looking at the keyboard I'm not sure how the I managed to swap an o for an a there - completely opposite sides. Time to book myself in for one of those educational courses in political and cultural sensitivity methinks.

BTW there is one off-contract NRL player who would be the ideal replacement for Ali. Can't see it happening but Tony Williams of Manly is an absolute monster, now playing second row rather than wing where he started.

Another winger? Cool, presumably next year's side is going to consist entirely of props and wingers?

If we're full of props and wings next year our season should take off.

have to say it, but last time Smith played was at FB. He looked to have shed a lot of the weight he's been carrying, and was, for me, man of the match. Certainly looked a lot better than Webb had for the few weeks previous, and I'd back him to take the 1 Jersey (what has always been his natural position) when Webb leaves.

Similarly, Hardaker has played standoff/fullback for Fev, not centre. Good as he looks, I'm not sure he's the best best for 4, and I'd like to see a centre signed for the left side. If we could get him, Jack Reed would be awesome.

beyond that we'd be looking at a backline of

Smith
Jones-Bishop
Watkins
Reed
Hall
Hardaker
McGuire

which would undoubtedly, given a platform, blow most other sides off the park.

Jones-Bishop is the best FB we have on the books.

Reed isn't coming.

Smith with leave before Webb.

I agree Jones-Bishop in at Full Back is best choice. He shows real potential bringing ball out and is generally safe.

Do you have proof Reed isn't coming? I haven't seen anything that's all.

Have to agree with tykes/rhinos fan. Smith for me looked good at fullback in last game of the season and did appear more svelt like.

When did he look good before that? I hope I'm wrong but I don't think Smith's on any sort of upward curve.

To be fair to him, not really been given any sort of consistent run in any one position. Think he will leave and probably do a good job for someone. Think he has been written off by some far too early in his career

All fair points but, had his form been better he probably would have nailed down a place. I don't doubt he'll do a good job for someone, somewhere too, I just don't see it being for us in the long term.

Think a issue is his utility value, and also don't think Brian likes him. Just think he has more to offer than just carrying the tee/water

Unfair ! If Smith had been given the same number of games at FB as Webb then I'm sure he would have "nailed down a place". He has had the misfortune of being used as 'jack of all trades' and played in a different position each time he's taken to the field.

Conversely, do you think Webb woud have "nailed down a place" if he had suffered Smith's fate ? ....Instead he has being favoured despite his indifferent form at times; eptomised by persistent penalised forward passes and frequent dropped bombs.

Agree with all of the above

What, all 49 pages?

Didn't realse I had gone onto a new page!! Just the post before mine. And all the ones I have made, obviously

It's the NRL Premiership on Sunday between Manly and the New Zealand Warriers. The following players are still OOC for 2012. Would any improve the Rhinos squad next year:

Warriers
Shaun Berrigan


Manly
Tony Williams, Brent Kite, George Rose, Jamie Buhrer, Joe Galuvao, Terence Seu Seu, Vic Mauro, David Williams, Matt Cross, Liam Foran, Jason King, Tim Robinson, Dean Whare

It might be worth watching the final on Sunday to find out if some are any good although not all will be playing!

Tony Williams would, but he'll either stay with Manly or another NRL team. He's touted as a possible Kangaroo at the end of the year. The rest - no thanks.

I honestly don't understand the Smith hate. One game played at FB this year, one very good performances. Coupled to similarly stellar performances at FB in the few occasions since 2007 he's had a crack at FB (including the 08 Grand Final).

Jones-Bishop has formed a very good partnership on the right wing with Watkins in the games they've been together, and has the extreme pace to be a brilliant 2, yet everyone wants him to go to fb. So we then need another winger, and another centre, while getting rid of a fullback who everyone agrees plays well when given a chance there and will do well for someone else.

......Madnes, I tell you. Madness.

BJB should be on the wing next year if Webb is still here. If Webb does badly, I'd give first crack of the whip to Smith. If he nails down a place, great. If not, we've BJB and Hardaker. There's no point moving someone who's doing very well where they are unless they're going to massively improve the team overall by moving elsewhere. Shifting Bish just moves the problem, it doesn't solve it.

Smith in.

I agree, Smith deserves a crack at Full-Back. I don't think BJB has the passing game to match Brent Webb at the moment. Let him fight Hardaker for the Number 2 shirt.